buckthesystem Posted February 24, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 1,706 Topics Per Day: 0.26 Content Count: 3,386 Content Per Day: 0.51 Reputation: 3 Days Won: 0 Joined: 03/12/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 12/10/1955 Share Posted February 24, 2007 http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/stor...c=ticker-103704 Security Scanner Can See Through Clothes Friday February 23, 2007 11:01 PM AP Photo AZET103, AZET104 By TERRY TANG Associated Press Writer PHOENIX (AP) - The Phoenix airport on Friday became the first in the United States to test new X-ray technology that can see through people's clothes and show the body's contours with blush-inducing clarity. Critics have said the high-resolution images created by the ``backscatter'' technology are too invasive. But the Transportation Security Administration adjusted the equipment to make the image look something like a line drawing, while still detecting concealed weapons. During the testing, the machine will be used only as a backup screening measure. Passengers who fail the standard screening with a metal detector will be able to choose between the new device or a pat-down search. ``It's 100 percent voluntary, so if the passenger doesn't feel comfortable with it, the passenger doesn't have to go through it,'' TSA spokesman Nico Melendez said. Passengers selected for screening by the device are asked to stand in front of the closet-size X-ray unit with the palms of their hands facing out. Then they must turn around for a second screening from behind. The procedure takes about a minute. ``It seems faster. I'm not uncomfortable with it,'' said Kelsi Dunbar, 25, of Seattle, who chose the machine. ``I trust TSA, and I trust that they are definitely trying to make things go quickly and smoothly in the airport. But one expert said the machine's altered image is ineffective, while the clear picture is an invasion of privacy. ``The more obscure they make the image, the more obscure the contraband, weapons and explosives,'' said Barry Steinhardt, director of the Technology and Liberty Project at the ACLU in Washington, D.C. ``The graphic image is a strip-search. You shouldn't have to be strip-searched to get on an airplane. Millions of Americans would regard them as pornographic.'' The machine will be tested for up to 90 days at a single checkpoint at Sky Harbor International Airport's largest terminal, which hosts US Airways and Southwest Airlines, the two busiest airlines in Phoenix. The technology could be left in place after the trial period, and the TSA hopes to roll out similar machines at the Los Angeles airport and New York's Kennedy Airport by the end of the year. The security officer who works with the passenger going through the screening will never see the images the machine produces. The pictures will be viewed by another officer about 50 feet away who will not see the passenger, the TSA said. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Just a few comments: " ``It's 100 percent voluntary, so if the passenger doesn't feel comfortable with it, the passenger doesn't have to go through it,'' TSA spokesman Nico Melendez said" Sure, voluntary: "Passengers who fail the standard screening with a metal detector will be able to choose between the new device or a pat-down search." What kind of a choice is that to give someone?? And: ``The more obscure they make the image, the more obscure the contraband, weapons and explosives,'' said Barry Steinhardt, director of the Technology and Liberty Project at the ACLU in Washington, D.C. ``The graphic image is a strip-search. You shouldn't have to be strip-searched to get on an airplane. Millions of Americans would regard them as pornographic.'' So how long do you suppose it will remain that " the Transportation Security Administration adjusted the equipment to make the image look something like a line drawing". Seriously I am wondering how long it will be before every traveller is required to go through this "scanner" as a matter of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Durnan Posted February 24, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 121 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 2,782 Content Per Day: 0.36 Reputation: 49 Days Won: 1 Joined: 06/14/2003 Status: Offline Share Posted February 24, 2007 Stay off aircraft OR come to realize we're in World War 3! Better see-thru scanning than death by Muslim mass-homicide bombers, right? GOD BLESS THE USA! http://arthurdurnan.freeyellow.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masked Chris Posted February 24, 2007 Group: Junior Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 2 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 83 Content Per Day: 0.01 Reputation: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 10/18/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 07/11/1986 Share Posted February 24, 2007 http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/stor...c=ticker-103704 Security Scanner Can See Through Clothes Friday February 23, 2007 11:01 PM AP Photo AZET103, AZET104 By TERRY TANG Associated Press Writer PHOENIX (AP) - The Phoenix airport on Friday became the first in the United States to test new X-ray technology that can see through people's clothes and show the body's contours with blush-inducing clarity. Critics have said the high-resolution images created by the ``backscatter'' technology are too invasive. But the Transportation Security Administration adjusted the equipment to make the image look something like a line drawing, while still detecting concealed weapons. During the testing, the machine will be used only as a backup screening measure. Passengers who fail the standard screening with a metal detector will be able to choose between the new device or a pat-down search. ``It's 100 percent voluntary, so if the passenger doesn't feel comfortable with it, the passenger doesn't have to go through it,'' TSA spokesman Nico Melendez said. Passengers selected for screening by the device are asked to stand in front of the closet-size X-ray unit with the palms of their hands facing out. Then they must turn around for a second screening from behind. The procedure takes about a minute. ``It seems faster. I'm not uncomfortable with it,'' said Kelsi Dunbar, 25, of Seattle, who chose the machine. ``I trust TSA, and I trust that they are definitely trying to make things go quickly and smoothly in the airport. But one expert said the machine's altered image is ineffective, while the clear picture is an invasion of privacy. ``The more obscure they make the image, the more obscure the contraband, weapons and explosives,'' said Barry Steinhardt, director of the Technology and Liberty Project at the ACLU in Washington, D.C. ``The graphic image is a strip-search. You shouldn't have to be strip-searched to get on an airplane. Millions of Americans would regard them as pornographic.'' The machine will be tested for up to 90 days at a single checkpoint at Sky Harbor International Airport's largest terminal, which hosts US Airways and Southwest Airlines, the two busiest airlines in Phoenix. The technology could be left in place after the trial period, and the TSA hopes to roll out similar machines at the Los Angeles airport and New York's Kennedy Airport by the end of the year. The security officer who works with the passenger going through the screening will never see the images the machine produces. The pictures will be viewed by another officer about 50 feet away who will not see the passenger, the TSA said. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Just a few comments: " ``It's 100 percent voluntary, so if the passenger doesn't feel comfortable with it, the passenger doesn't have to go through it,'' TSA spokesman Nico Melendez said" Sure, voluntary: "Passengers who fail the standard screening with a metal detector will be able to choose between the new device or a pat-down search." What kind of a choice is that to give someone?? And: ``The more obscure they make the image, the more obscure the contraband, weapons and explosives,'' said Barry Steinhardt, director of the Technology and Liberty Project at the ACLU in Washington, D.C. ``The graphic image is a strip-search. You shouldn't have to be strip-searched to get on an airplane. Millions of Americans would regard them as pornographic.'' So how long do you suppose it will remain that " the Transportation Security Administration adjusted the equipment to make the image look something like a line drawing". Seriously I am wondering how long it will be before every traveller is required to go through this "scanner" as a matter of course. yes.... this is discriminates people. Security is a good thing.... but I think this sort of thing is fear-based and creates another more serious problem by trying to cure our fear of an old problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masked Chris Posted February 24, 2007 Group: Junior Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 2 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 83 Content Per Day: 0.01 Reputation: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 10/18/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 07/11/1986 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Stay off aircraft OR come to realize we're in World War 3! Better see-thru scanning than death by Muslim mass-homicide bombers, right? GOD BLESS THE USA! http://arthurdurnan.freeyellow.com world war 3???? We are not even in a real war!! Despite what extremists say, we need certain political grounds for it to be a war. We need to have actual sides drawn.... which we do not really have. I would call this a "religious/military/political conflict". You wanna read about a real war? than read some of the bloody battles in history.... to call this a war is melo-dramatic and it mocks the people in our history who have died in battle.... I am not even sure if our US young people should be dying and wasting their life to serve the USA's political agenda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgesbluegirl Posted February 24, 2007 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 30 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 1,234 Content Per Day: 0.17 Reputation: 7 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/17/2004 Status: Offline Birthday: 04/10/1987 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Well, I don't see how it's discrimination, but it is invasive. Although at this point I am so past caring with airport security...anything that gets you through faster. I think TSA requires a security person of the same sex to perform patdowns, at least that's been my experience (I go to school quite a distance from home so I fly a lot = have had to do patdowns before). They'll probably implement some similar rule for this if they can't make it less invasive in terms of image. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oh Hamburgers! Posted February 24, 2007 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 10 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 2,144 Content Per Day: 0.34 Reputation: 163 Days Won: 1 Joined: 02/02/2007 Status: Offline Birthday: 11/05/1985 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Well, I don't see how it's discrimination, but it is invasive. Although at this point I am so past caring with airport security...anything that gets you through faster. I think TSA requires a security person of the same sex to perform patdowns, at least that's been my experience (I go to school quite a distance from home so I fly a lot = have had to do patdowns before). They'll probably implement some similar rule for this if they can't make it less invasive in terms of image. I know that police officers cannot legally pat down a member of the opposite sex, so I would assume the same thing applies to Airport personel. This seems like a somewhat invasive machine, but again, I don't see how adding a new option suddenly becomes a big problem. You can ignore this new machine, and go through the normal channels just like you always have while getting on airplanes, or you can try it out and risk an invasion of privacy. I agree this seems a bit extreme, but hopefully people will be extra careful so as to not violate people's rights to privacy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Durnan Posted February 24, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 121 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 2,782 Content Per Day: 0.36 Reputation: 49 Days Won: 1 Joined: 06/14/2003 Status: Offline Share Posted February 24, 2007 Again, see-thru scanning in the interests of passenger safety will ALWAYS trump "civil rights." The latter is only for the living and means absolutely ZIP when you're murdered by a Muslim mass-homicide bomber. World War 3 DEMANDS the utmost in security. GOD BLESS AMERICA! http://arthurdurnan.freeyellow.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oh Hamburgers! Posted February 24, 2007 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 10 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 2,144 Content Per Day: 0.34 Reputation: 163 Days Won: 1 Joined: 02/02/2007 Status: Offline Birthday: 11/05/1985 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Again, see-thru scanning in the interests of passenger safety will ALWAYS trump "civil rights." The latter is only for the living and means absolutely ZIP when you're murdered by a Muslim mass-homicide bomber. World War 3 DEMANDS the utmost in security. GOD BLESS AMERICA! http://arthurdurnan.freeyellow.com I appreciate your sentiment, but I think there is a fine line with your ideology. This country was built upon freedoms, taking them away is taking away our rights as Americans. The danger comes when people are willing to get rid of their freedom for a little bit of safety, and I think that is why some people are worried about what comes from it. This is another reason why phone tapping was a big issue, because it violates our rights to privacy and communication in order to make us feel more "safe". How about it being mandatory to be searched before entering every public area? It could make us more safe, but would be another violation. How about putting video cameras up in every public area? Or how about placing armed millitary personell inside and around every major public facility, like schools, malls, and walmarts? How about instituting a "mind-reading" device that can probe the human brain for violent thoughts against Americans? The line needs to be drawn somewhere. Now, I still dont have a problem with this new scanner because it is already required to be searched while going onto planes, and we have had metal detectors etc for ages. As I said before, currently it is a voluntary procedure that seems to go faster than normal, so noone is being required to use the scanner, it is just an option. I guess I just grow a little weary when I hear stuff like "safety will ALWAYS trump civil rights". It reminds me of the book 1984 by George Orwell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgesbluegirl Posted February 24, 2007 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 30 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 1,234 Content Per Day: 0.17 Reputation: 7 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/17/2004 Status: Offline Birthday: 04/10/1987 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Plus, honestly, there are only so many more levels of security that increase effectiveness. New security practices are added more for the benefit of the consumer - in terms of risk assessment, banning liquids didn't really increase security, but it did make people feel better for a while. When the airlines felt like people were ready to change that, they made the rule what it is now (a certain number of oz. permitted). There have definitely been some great security advances in the last few decades, but in terms of at-the-gate security, that only gets so good, and has more to do with balancing what passengers want vs. what they will tolerate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Durnan Posted February 24, 2007 Group: Royal Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 121 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 2,782 Content Per Day: 0.36 Reputation: 49 Days Won: 1 Joined: 06/14/2003 Status: Offline Share Posted February 24, 2007 So why not permit sacrosanct "civil rights" to trump the urgent need to stay alive? After saying what I did, I'm well prepared to have instituted every possible security measure on behalf of safety for myself & loved ones in this World War 3...or hasn't it started yet? If you've done nothing wrong, why knock the vital hassle? Come, take my picture, check my retinas and do a see-thru. Muslim mass-homicide bombers beware! GOD BLESS AMERICA! http://arthurdurnan.freeyellow.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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