Patrick Leahy Says TSA Scanners Are Invasive; Will Investigate Them
from the well-that's-a-start dept
We've had plenty of problems with Senator Patrick Leahy on this blog, as his push is to always make intellectual property laws worse, such as with ProIP and now COICA. However, sometimes he does things that deserve kudos, such as his plan to investigate the TSA's new scanners, calling them "invasive." Leahy apparently wants the Senate Judiciary Committee (which he heads) to examine whether or not the machines really make sense. Of course, perhaps we should withhold any kudos until we find out what comes out of that "review..."Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Filed Under: patrick leahy, privacy, scanners, tsa
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A prediction:
*Once again, thanks NFL playoffs for making EVERYTHING football....
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Re: A prediction:
Maybe we can have caldwell call a time out...
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I call Shenanigans
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Re: I call Shenanigans
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Senators Response
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That's an interesting take and thank you for your comment. I want you to know that I am deeply invested in this issue and will be taking a long, hard look at it. I am sure with insightful comments like yours, a true solution to the problems we as a country face will come about shortly.
(was it anything like that? Just trying my hand at it....)
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Details here:
http://news.cnet.com/2300-11386_3-10003991.html
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How is that relevant to this discussion?
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Don't count...
Don't count your politicians until the synapses has fired.
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Re: Don't count...
Fixed that for you.
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"You knew I was a scorpion when you found me".
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Just a thought...
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In case this helps...
*****
I was happy to hear that you think it is important to reconsider the invasive and potentially skin-DNA harmful TSA full body x-ray scanners as well as the full-contact body "pat-downs" and opt-out $10,000 fines.
If I had more money, it would be interesting to have these challenged in court.
Certainly, a number of important changes were put into place immediately after Sept 2001. Certainly, the behavior and practices aboard passenger planes since soon after 2001 makes it much less likely that any plane would strike a major target. Certainly, flying in a plane is much safer than doing many other activities. Certainly, there are many threats just being out in the street.
These scanners have been shown to be quite ineffective to test attempts to get material past them.
X-ray use is a serious threat, and the current practice enables the TSA to hide what could potentially be devices that lose their calibration and become dangerous soon after they are put into use.
The groping procedures as the alternative is completely unacceptable, as is the $10,000 penalty for refusing.
There are reasonable practices that can be taken, and these are not it.
It also seems like corruption might have been in place in allowing a former government decision-maker to essentially create a very lucrative private sector opportunity for himself.
And it doesn't help that these procedures do not apply to those who are making the rules and who perhaps even feel they have the most to gain.
May I dare suggest that the US make its practices around the world much more transparent. The public should be made aware of details as much as possible when our government decides to place people's lives in jeopardy. Having people feel they should strike back at our US government and people is a serious problem. We are applying this same ineffective blunt approach to dealing with global issues. People respond to fairness and opportunity not to the use of guns to support abusive practices and to a lack of due process.
And as long as this government continues to betray our trust, myself and many Americans will support any reasonable attempt to truly protect whistle-blowers (for example Wikileaks and the many similar sites that will pop up if Wikileaks should pass).
Frustrated yes, but I hope it is clear that I and many Americans are thankful you decided to take this first important step.
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Canned responces.
Thank you for contacting me about the use of body scanners in airports and new security screening procedures. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue, and understand your concerns.
After September 11, 2001, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) implemented a pilot program to test whole-body scanners in airports before they were put into widespread use. In October 2009, the TSA ordered 150 whole-body scanners to be deployed in airports across the nation, and in March 2010, the TSA purchased an additional 450 scanners that are currently being deployed nationwide. In the wake of this deployment, many Americans have expressed concerns over personal privacy as the whole-body scanners are used to screen passengers, and the security of those captured images.
On October 28, 2010, the TSA announced that it would begin to utilize new pat-down techniques at airport security checkpoints for persons who refuse to be screened by airport scanners, and for those who trigger the scanners while they are screened. I have seen news reports describing the pat-down searches and heard from numerous Vermonters who oppose such procedures. I am also troubled by these more stringent and invasive pat-downs, and believe that while the TSA must effectively ensure airline and passenger safety, it must not sacrifice our privacy.
I have also heard from Vermonters who are concerned over the potential radiation hazards that may be posed by widespread implementation of whole-body scanners. While the risks associated with radiation from these machines are said to be minute, I believe that we need to ensure that public health is not put in jeopardy with the deployment of any screening technology.
As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I intend to ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is held accountable for ensuring that we are successful in protecting both passenger safety and privacy. I believe that we can successfully accomplish this goal without sacrificing either. You can be sure that I will keep your thoughts in mind when the Judiciary Committee holds its next oversight hearing of the Department of Homeland Security and continue to closely monitor this issue.
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Arizona shooting and Wikileaks
I'm sure it is easy for them after a while to think that their job is to make as many favors as possible to wealthy people that deposit gold coins into their coffers and lawyers and a PR staff that will help them find the right words to lock up enough votes.
I think any reasonable person would (I certainly would) look at those events and wonder just how safe they really are from anger among the public.
the shooting: there are angry crazy people among us that perhaps pose a greater threat to us on the street as might any foreign-bred terrorist.
wikileaks: many within our government might have tools to safely reveal our wrong-doing.
Some might not be too interested in actually improving government, but others might be. In any case, we have to keep taking the message circulating.
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Re: Arizona shooting and Wikileaks
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Investigate?
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the law will get worse
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Re: the law will get worse
What is apparent is that your tax dollars are at work - generating profit for a few, annoying everyone else and providing little to no benefit.
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It doesn't matter if you are using a PRIVATE service or not, there is simply no justification for these searches. I would have been much happier if they would have focused on securing the cockpit with bulletproof doors and doing nothing else.
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