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Title: So far, ‘opt out’ fizzles today
Source:
BostonHerald
URL Source: http://news.bostonherald.com/news/r ... _scans/srvc=home&position=also
Published: Nov 24, 2010
Author: staff
Post Date: 2010-11-24 13:33:30 by buckeroo
Keywords: None
Views: 421
Comments: 30
Logan International Airport is packed today and most travelers appear to be lining up for naked body scans over the touchy pat-downs, so far shunning a national call to "opt out" of the electronic sweep. "I don’t want anyone to touch me," said 20-year-old Onie Momoh, a Dartmouth College student flying home today. She was one of hundreds of people lined up for the scans as the Thanksgiving rush begins. But it may be too early to call the "opt out" a dud. “I was going to opt out because I was concerned about radiation, but then I heard it was less than what you’re exposed to with a dental X-ray,” said Holly LeCraw, 44, of Newton. “I’m more concerned about pat-downs for my kids.” Others said the scan just appears the lesser of two evils. “I’ve gone through the screening before, and it feels a little weird, having to hold your hands up and knowing someone can see an image of your body,” Michelle McGrath, 29, of Boston said on her way to Annapolis today. “I’m not crazy about it, but I’m not overly concerned.” A national movement to “opt out” of the head-to-toe sweeps did have a few travelers mulling pat-downs last night. “This is me taking my own stance,” said Boston University freshman Kira Cole, who said she was “creeped out” by the full-body scanners when she went through them in July. “I’d rather take my chances with a pat-down.” Dorchester activist Mark O’Connor said he’ll be at Logan today urging travelers to get the “lesser of two evils” pat-down and warning them of the “dangers” of full-body scans. “If it’s powerful enough to see through your clothes, it couldn’t be healthy,” said O’Connor, who hopes Hub travelers “stand up” for themselves. O’Connor, 33, said he plans to take his video camera to the Hub airport and ask people whether they prefer to be “radiated” or “groped.” The video blogger will post reactions to his YouTube channel, WeAreChangeBoston. Massport spokesman Phil Orlandella said Logan officials have been preparing for today’s national “opt out” day since rumblings of it began over a week ago. “We’re ready for it. There’s additional manpower on. We’re prepared for anything that can happen. We don’t think anything serious is going to happen,” Orlandella said. U.S. Sen. John Kerry said he wants to review the security changes. “I refuse to accept the notion that we can’t keep people safe without undermining our civil liberties,’’ Kerry said. Rebecca Colby, an MIT sophomore, has no issues with scanners being an invasion of privacy. “I’m more concerned with other civil liberties than this whole thing,” Colby said. “It’s not like we’re cutting back civil liberties on the war on terror — it’s just reaching a new level of inconvenience for people who are normal citizens of America,” Colby said. Carie Lemack, who lost her mom, Judy Larocque, of Framingham in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, said she’s traveling to Boston today and will gladly be scanned or patted down. “It’s not comfortable, but necessary,” said Lemack, whose mother died on Flight 11 that took off out of Logan. “Anybody who says this is pornographic is insulting. “Everybody in the airport needs to keep their eyes and ears open,” she added. “I think the opt-out people have forgotten 9-11."
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#1. To: buckeroo (#0)
“Everybody in the airport needs to keep their eyes and ears open,” she added. “I think the opt-out people have forgotten 9-11."
How surprising - NOT! The American people appear to be very comfortable with their chains. Hell, they actually seem to wear them proudly as fashion accessories.
I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. - Benjamin Franklin
There's an abyss she's avoiding looking at, by telling herself that. I feel sorry for her.
A Paul for President! deleted
The relationship between morality and liberty is a directly proportional one. "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." - Ben Franklin
They want more massive chains wrapped around their necks. So, this little glimpse into some sort of protest or publick demonstration based upon excessive police force (in this case the TSA) reveals that anyone expecting some sort of later expectation about changing rules and so forth are completely out of their minds.
You should feel sorry for yourself and your future as she is merely providing a single glimpse into why America is already a police-state.
Check this article out: A grassroots opt-out protest planned at airports around the country appears to have fizzled, as early reports indicate that most travelers on Wednesday were opting out of opting out of fully body scans. The protest, called by groups such as WeWontFly.com, encouraged airline passengers to opt out of X-ray scanners and to register their disapproval of new TSA procedures for conducting physical pat-downs — the required alternative for those who opt out of the scanners. Protesters were also expected to appear at 27 airports to pass out flyers reading, “You have the right to say, ‘No radiation strip search! No groping of genitals!’ Say, ‘I opt out.’” But at the American Airlines terminal at San Francisco International Airport security checkpoints were orderly and fast Wednesday, and no protesters were in evidence. Passengers in one checkpoint queue were directed randomly to pass through either a standard metal detector or a ProVision millimeter wave body scanner. In a second queue, the type of screening depended on which conveyor belt the traveler lined up at: The right one went through a body scan, the left, with rare exception, put passengers through the metal detector. Threat Level observed 30 passengers submit to the ProVision scan without obvious protest or a single opt-out, though screeners diverted one woman headed for the the naked scanner into the metal detector instead, likely because of the small dog she was carrying in her arms. Full-body scanners are currently being used in these 68 airports, according to the TSA. Some passengers and civil liberties groups have criticized the TSA for using the scanners, citing privacy and radiation concerns. They’ve also called the pat-downs — which involve TSA agents using open hands and fingers to search genital and chest areas — invasive and humiliating. The protest was called for Wednesday, the day before the Thanksgiving holiday and traditionally one of the busiest air travel days of the year. About 1.6 million people were expected to fly over the holiday, according to the American Automobile Association. The TSA had urged passengers not to participate in the protest, since it would slow security lines considerably if numerous passengers refused to go through the scanners, causing delays and chaos for all passengers. But it appears those fears went unrealized as airports around the country reported no security delays and indicated few passengers were opting out of the scanners. At La Guardia airport in New York, workers told Bloomberg they had seen no evidence of slowdowns. At Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, where 14 scanners are in use, officials reported that the wait in security lines was between 10 and 20 minutes, which was an improvement over many ordinary Monday mornings when passenger traffic is traditionally high. At Baltimore Washington International Airport, only four passengers had opted out of scanners as of 9:30 a.m., according to Fox News. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport was reporting only a wait of 10 minutes to get through security and said that security officers had received “lots of passenger compliments.” Officials at other airports in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Virginia said that wait times were minimal and also reported supportive feedback from passengers. Airlines have reported no delays or other impact from passengers opting out of scanners and indicated that ticket cancellations are at normal levels. All airlines that spoke with Bloomberg, except Southwest, said they would not delay planes for passengers caught in security lines. That shows that even the airline industry approves of these TSA methods.
“It’s not like we’re cutting back civil liberties on the war on terror — it’s just reaching a new level of inconvenience for people who are normal citizens of America,” Colby said Now what we have here is the next POTUS!
I want either less corruption or more opportunity to participate in it. Ashleigh Brilliant
Next up: the US military shall be harboured in your own home to view not your own personal property but your neighbours. Now, sign this piece of paper in agreement that sanctuary in your own home is good for America as you are a fine, patriot. A scrawled X is good as it is witnessed by the officers in charge. PS: Often, the UN peace-keepers are substituted in these days of undue hardship and strain upon the entire commitment of the US government and are duly authorized representatives of the United States of America for entry into your home.
It should be obvious that the opt out fizzled primarily because this is Thanksgiving (and it will also fizzle on Christmas Week). People bought their airline tickets well in advance, maybe without even an option to cancel and get a refund. They have only a very limited amount of time to get where they want to go, so making last-minute transfers from air to rail or to Greyhound is simply out of the question. They want to get onboard the plane and they want the plane to leave on time, so they are not going to do anything that could get them benched or cause them to miss their flight. I bet at this point (Wednesday afternoon), the airports could persuade many of them to get in line stark naked if they want to get on the plane promptly.
A few well-publicized episodes of applying the cattle-prod to the herd spreads the word: __________________________________________________________ From what I am seeing in the news reports, traffic at airports is lower than expected. TSA says they screen 2 million passengers per day on average. Estimates say 1.6 million passengers flying today. Most news reports say that airports are virtual ghost towns. So it would appear that people are opting out of flying. According to other reports, train stations are packed like crazy, particularly Penn Station and reporters are getting comments like "F**k the TSA" from passengers. AAA says 94% of people who plan to travel this weekend will do so by automobile. Compared to 2000 when only 80% traveled by automobile, it would appear that people are opting-out of flying. That is fine. If the airlines start losing revenue, then things will change. According to the folks who were advocating National Opt-Out Day, they said "Just opt-out of flying altogether" and it would appear that people have done JUST THAT.
A people unwilling to use force, once diplomatic efforts have been exhausted, in order to preserve or obtain their liberty deserves the tyrants that rule over them.
Yep, bailout money for the airlines.
~~~~~~~ TSA: Take Some Action Tell Simpleton Apes To Suck Ass Defensive Racism Has Its Place "One of the least understood strategies of the world revolution now moving rapidly toward its goal is the use of mind control as a major means of obtaining the consent of the people who will be subjects of the New World Order." K.M. Heaton, The National Educator
According to the folks who were advocating National Opt-Out Day, they said "Just opt-out of flying altogether" and it would appear that people have done JUST THAT. Yeah, the airlines will be nationalized. Dr. Blaylock: Body Scanners More Dangerous Than Feds Admit Wednesday, November 24, 2010 By Dr. Russell Blaylock Dr. Russell Blaylock is a nationally recognized board-certified neurosurgeon, health practitioner, author, lecturer, and editor of The Blaylock Wellness Report. The growing outrage over the Transportation Security Administration’s new policy of backscatter scanning of airline passengers and “enhanced pat-downs” brings to mind these wise words from President Ronald Reagan: “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help you.’” So, what is all the concern really about — will these radiation scanners increase your risk of cancer or other diseases? A group of scientists and professors from the University of California at San Francisco voiced their concern to Obama’s science and technology adviser John Holdren in a well-stated letter back in April. The group included experts in radiation biology, biophysics, and imaging, who expressed “serious concerns” about the “dangerously high” dose of radiation to the skin. Radiation increases cancer risk by damaging the DNA and various components within the cells. Much of the damage is caused by high concentrations of free radicals generated by the radiation. Most scientists think that the most damaging radiation types are those that have high penetration, such as gamma-rays, but in fact, some of the most damaging radiation barely penetrates the skin. One of the main concerns is that most of the energy from the airport scanners is concentrated on the surface of the skin and a few millimeters into the skin. Some very radiation-sensitive tissues are close to the skin — such as the testes, eyes, and circulating blood cells in the skin. This is why defenders using such analogies as the dose being “1,000-times less than a chest X-ray” and “far less than what passengers are exposed to in-flight” are deceptive. Radiation damage depends on the volume of tissue exposed. Chest X-rays and gamma-radiation from outer space is diffused over the entire body so that the dose to the skin is extremely small. Of note, outer space radiation does increase cancer rates in passengers, pilots, and flight attendants. We also know that certain groups of people are at a much higher risk than others. These include babies, small children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with impaired immunity (those with HIV infection, cancer patients, people with immune deficiency diseases, and people with abnormal DNA repair mechanism, just to name a few). As we grow older, our DNA accumulates a considerable amount of unrepaired damage, and under such circumstances even low doses of radiation can trigger the development of skin cancers, including the deadly melanoma. I would also be concerned about exposing the eyes, since this could increase one’s risk of developing cataracts. About 5 percent of the population have undiagnosed abnormal DNA repair mechanism. When exposed to radiation, this can put them at a cancer risk hundreds of times greater than normal people. It also has been determined that when skin is next to certain metals, such as gold, the radiation dose is magnified 100-fold higher. What if you have a mole next to your gold jewelry? Will the radiation convert it to a melanoma? Deficiencies in certain vitamins can dramatically increase your sensitivity to radiation carcinogenesis, as can certain prescription medications. As for the assurances we have been given by such organization as the American College of Radiology, we must keep in mind that they assured us that the CT scans were safe and that the radiation was equal to one chest X-ray. Forty years later we learn that the dose is extremely high, it is thought to have caused cancer in a significant number of people, and the dose is actually equal to 1,000 chest X-rays. Based on these assurances, tens of thousands of children have been exposed to radiation doses from CT scanners, which will ruin the children's lives. I have two friends who were high-ranking Environmental Protection Agency scientists, and they assure me that in government safety agencies, politics most often override the scientists’ real concerns about such issues. This government shares House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s view when she urged passage of the Obamacare bill sight unseen — “Let’s just pass the bill, and we will find out what is in it later.” When the real effects of these scanners on health become known, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and the rest of the gang who insist the scanners are safe will be long gone. http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/health_...mo_code=B2F7-1
yes, imo, that's exactly what this about.
Remember, the Government said asbestos was safe. They also said that the fallout from nuclear weapons testing in Nevada was safe. Agent Orange was safe. Hundreds of now-recalled prescription drugs were deemed safe by FDA. The record so far speaks for itself.
A people unwilling to use force, once diplomatic efforts have been exhausted, in order to preserve or obtain their liberty deserves the tyrants that rule over them.
I disagree with your premise. And we shall see what the future holds, of course. I travel a lot, I mean ... I place upwards of 250,000 miles/year on air flights; this past year not so many, maybe about 70,000. But my experience since October 11, 2001 is that USA passengers go through all the required motions despite the event and without a whimper. And through the years, TSA has been increasing most of the security points such that you must remove, belts, shoes, coats, hats, jackets, sweaters and so forth for the already pre-existing metal detectors; in effect, you walk through the metal detectors with a minimum of clothing on else, you must have TSA personal attention. Now, in the past, the personal attention did not include these new TSA methods of procedure. So, it is different BUT.... most have already been exposed to some sort of harassment in the past by TSA and if they haven't then they clearly don't fly often or perhaps its their first jet. I want to point out something. No other country has these methods in force. Only the USA does... but, this may be changing as well.
Air Travelers Opting Out of Opting Out Where is the link to this article? Who wrote it?
TSA turns off naked body scanners to avoid opt-out day protests
Did TSA cave on scanners for Thanksgiving rush? | Raw Story
Desperate to Avoid Protests, TSA Turned Off Naked Body Scanners over Thanksgiving - Grendel Report
That's a good link. Still, I disagree with the report. Air traffic was up this year (from last year) and what was seen was a better or improved set of methods about security via the TSA. Now, just because I state the facts about these AIT methods and the obviously silly "opt-out" rumour doesn't mean I am pro/con about the policies and procedures. I think it all stinks to high heaven. The US government wasn't on duty before 9/11 and it can hire all the goons and stuff them into a uniform all they want... it still won't protect Americans.
Here is the real problem with the TSA and Homeland Security:
From an article I read earlier today air travel was down 13% over last year. As for your Strawman the Pornoscanners were not in use until very recently so your argument is based upon a False Analogy and you are trying to base an argument upon data that is not comparable to the current situation.
"One of the least understood strategies of the world revolution now moving rapidly toward its goal is the use of mind control as a major means of obtaining the consent of the people who will be subjects of the New World Order." K.M. Heaton, The National Educator
I don't like your link.... it is rehashed spin that does not introduce any new ideas. Remember, the TSA was nationalized after 9/11. DHS was a reformation of various bureaucracies (to include TSA) forming a cohesive method of inter-communications within government concerning national security because of CIA data creating the Iraqi War. It hasn't changed a thing. The federal government still allows all the illegal aliens over the border (while watching them) without so much as a peep. It is akin to the way Rome fell about 900 years ago....
Remember, the TSA was nationalized after 9/11. DHS was a reformation of various bureaucracies (to include TSA) forming a cohesive method of inter-communications within government concerning national security because of CIA data creating the Iraqi War. Because TSA is "reactive" they will always be one step behind.
What do you think "government" is all about? Giving individual rights, liberties and freedoms? Or using POWER to take them away?
"One of the least understood strategies of the world revolution now moving rapidly toward its goal is the use of mind control as a major means of obtaining the consent of the people who will be subjects of the New World Order." K.M. Heaton, The National Educator
“It’s not comfortable, but necessary,” said Lemack, whose mother died on Flight 11 that took off out of Logan. “Anybody who says this is pornographic is insulting.
#2. To: buckeroo (#0)
#3. To: buckeroo (#0)
“It’s not comfortable, but necessary,” said Lemack, whose mother died on Flight 11 that took off out of Logan.
Whites need to be shown darkie won't vote for him.
#4. To: TwentyTwelve (#1)
#5. To: F.A. Hayek Fan (#2)
The American people appear to be very comfortable with their chains.
#6. To: Prefrontal Vortex (#3)
I feel sorry for her.
#7. To: All, mirage (#0)
Air Travelers Opting Out of Opting Out
All airlines that spoke with Bloomberg, except Southwest, said they would not delay planes for passengers caught in security lines.
#8. To: buckeroo (#0)
Rebecca Colby, an MIT sophomore, has no issues with scanners being an invasion of privacy. “I’m more concerned with other civil liberties than this whole thing,” Colby said.
#9. To: angK (#8)
.... it’s just reaching a new level of inconvenience for people who are normal citizens of America,
#10. To: buckeroo (#0)
#11. To: buckeroo (#0)
"This man is Jesus,” shouted one man, spilling his Guinness as Barack Obama began his inaugural address. “When will he come to Kenya to save us?"
-Schweizerische Schuetzenzeitung (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941
#12. To: buckeroo (#7)
#13. To: mirage (#12)
That is fine. If the airlines start losing revenue, then things will change.
Totally Sick Agents Touch Special Areas, Tickle Some Anus, Test Social Aversion, Transmit Sticky Aids, Transgress Societal Aims Teaching Sadistic Aggression To Simple Aimless Traumatized Stagnant Americans Too Stunned And Too Stupid, Amen.
#14. To: mirage, buckeroo, TwentyTwelve, all (#12)
#15. To: mirage (#12)
If the airlines start losing revenue, then things will change.
#16. To: ratcat (#15)
Yeah, the airlines will be nationalized.
#17. To: ratcat (#15)
#18. To: Shoonra (#10)
It should be obvious that the opt out fizzled primarily because this is Thanksgiving...
#19. To: buckeroo (#7)
Check this article out:
#20. To: buckeroo (#18)
#21. To: buckeroo (#18)
#22. To: buckeroo (#18)
#23. To: TwentyTwelve (#21)
#24. To: Original_Intent, Buckmonster Fullofit, Nostradumbass, RickyJ, TwentyTwelve, James Deffenbach, wudidiz, all (#23)
(Edited)
I think it all stinks to high heaven. The US government wasn't on duty before 9/11 and it can hire all the goons and stuff them into a uniform all they want... it still won't protect Americans.
#25. To: buckeroo, Buckmonster Fullofit, Nostradumbass, RickyJ, TwentyTwelve, James Deffenbach, wudidiz, all (#23)
#26. To: TwentyTwelve (#24)
Here is the real problem with the TSA and Homeland Security
#27. To: buckeroo (#26)
I don't like your link.... it is rehashed spin that does not introduce any new ideas.
#28. To: TwentyTwelve (#27)
#29. To: buckeroo, TwentyTwelve (#28)
"Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one. ~ Thomas Paine
#30. To: Original_Intent, TwentyTwelve (#29)
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