By Hugh Farnham
It's that time of the year again. Dragging your roll-around through terminals, the lines, the bad airline food and... getting a nude-ray photo of your body courtesy of the Federal Government.
Most citizens don't know it is their right to "opt out" of going through the millimeter ray scanner.
These nude-ray scanners have a very salty past and there are many reasons to say "No":
- Potentially these scanners, especially the X-Ray backscatter units, could contribute to a higher risk of cancer
- Having the Federal Government take a naked photo of you is a gross violation of your 4th Amendment rights (and no, I don't believe the machines immediately erase the photos)
- The procurement of these machines is a scandal in itself, with Chertoff, the former head of DHS, working as a lobbyist to get these funded
- The TSA is more about getting compliance and submission than actually finding terrorists. After billions spent, how many real rabid terrorists have they found? 0.
As you go through the security screening line, if you are told to go through the scanner simply say "I exercise my right to Opt Out". The TSA screener is then bound to honor your request and you will be sent through secondary screening. Without the X-Rays.
In 2010, when the Opt Out Week first started, the TSA shut down the scanner machines rather than face confrontation over the use of them. We will see what they do this year. Please share your experiences here at Western Hero.
Travel safe and happy holidays to all our readers of Western Hero!
