As many of you know, each year I take a group of students abroad to visit historically and culturally significant places. So far my groups have gone to France, England, Spain, Morocco, Greece, and Italy. In addition to these places I have gone solo to Germany, China, and Israel... and I had planned to go to Egypt this summer... now that seems unlikely. In just a few short week, Ms. Kelly and I are taking a group of nine students to Costa Rica... whitewater rafting, volcano exploration, zip lining... it's going to be amazing!
Anyway, last night I was online double checking security rules and regulations because they seem to always be changing. The new full body scanners kept coming up. Many people are not comfortable with the images that these scanners produce; some view it as an invasion of privacy.
I understand people want to protect their privacy, but I am willing to give up a few personal freedoms and be a little inconvenienced at the airport in order to ensure my safety. Others argue that it is a slippery slope once we begin to give up some freedoms. What do you think?
- X
Personally, I think that the security has now put everyone traveling between the metaphorical rock and hard place. On one hand, you have the full body scans, which show more than most people are comfortable with. On the other, you've got the palm pat-down, which also covers more area than the previous pat-downs, those with the back of the hand. It's a tough choice.
ReplyDeleteWhen freedoms are given up and placed in the hands of the government, there is a certain amount of risk involved. Invasions of privacy such as wire-taps and access to records, when not strictly controlled, have a much greater chance of being abused. This is why the Patriot Act is so controversial. It gives the government greater freedom, and the government hasn't exactly been known for its spotless record. One can argue that abuses are unlikely, and that it's for the greater good so the country can apprehend terrorists and foreign intelligence, but does the end justify the means?
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ReplyDeleteI, for one, am not willing to concede my personal privacy; but I do not want to board a plane with someone who has murderous intentions. These new security measures are an extremely difficult proposition. In current days, it seems as if that, when anyone walks into any given airport, they forfeit their sacred right to having privacy: our bags are searched, we have to empty our pockets, walk through a scanner, and, in some cases, be patted-down or scanned again. These acts have become generally accepted invasions of privacy. We concede to these events because we want to protect ourselves and those around us from the dangers of terrorism. However, the new scanners, or the "X-ray scanners" as I prefer to call them, are overstepping the boundaries of privacy much too far.
ReplyDeleteThese new and "improved" scanners are a much more intrusive form than their predecessors. Essentially, these new devices allow the airport workers to see beyond your clothing and see what could possibly be strapped your body, or inside of it, such as an explosive in the ear canal, or what have you. This is absolutely agregious. How can we be subjected to such heinous invasions of our body and our privacy? What if this is to fail? What if (God forbid) another terrorist attacked occurs? Then, airports may have to literally strip people down to nothing and invade their privacy even further. Where is the line drawn? A happy medium must be found, or, eventually, a person will lash out at airport security, and this could lead to a groundswell of anger that cannot be subdued.
-Jake M.
Since I don't have a lot of time, the bottom line of my view is that on one hand, I believe that if an individual has the intention to go onto an airplane to injure mass amounts of people or anyone for that matter, they are going to do it. If someone has enough dedication and motivation then they will set out what they accomplish to do, the security measures just make everything they are trying to do more difficult. Despite this, I also believe that if the people who are creating all of these new security measures think that it is going to help, then they should be trusted. They can do whatever they want if it is going to keep me safe on my travels. Security measures are going to stop me from traveling where I want to go. If someone has that much of a problem with it, then they should gather the funds to go on a private airline.
ReplyDeleteThe full body scanners are put in place to protect the safety of each and every person that is going to board a plane on any given day. People are asked every day to allow airport security to invade their privacy by allowing them to search their bags, empty their pockets, take off their shoes, etc. Some security measures are acceptable in preventing terrorist attacks, but some are going too far.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the idea of the full body scanner is a good one, the actuality of it is a little too extreme.
Many people would agree that although they want to protect their security in airports and on airplanes, consenting to a full body scan is too much of an invasion of privacy. However, others believe that if they are not doing anything wrong and have nothing to hide, there is no problem in a full body scan.
There needs to be a solution that will keep everyone happy. Essentially, there needs to be some sort of security measures in place to ensure the safety of travelers, but one that will also protect their privacy.
-S. Fitz-Simon
Even though it is an invasion of privacy i think that they should be allowwed to do that. because you could have a weapon. and its better to be safe than sorry.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though the full body scanners are a great addition to airport security. I can understand where people are coming from thinking that it is an invasion of privacy but I would much rather be safe then sorry. If people can find was to hide explosives in their underwear who knows where else they are putting them. I would rather be inconvinced going through more airport security to ensure that I will be safe on the plane then to be blown up, but thats just me. I also feel as though the body scanners are not that big of an idea because its not like you are being publicy displayed for the world to see. Its just to ensure that you and the rest of the passengers are safe.
ReplyDeleteI'd give up an x-ray over the threat of being bombed any day. People overreact to these types of things. Ten years ago, we'd all be applauding this. The point is to prevent another attack, not wait for it to happen and then take action. They're not there to violate you. Also, TSA has already taken action and now scanned images are "more blurred". Either way, I'm fine with it.
ReplyDeleteSo I hope I set up this account correctly. But anyways, I know that some people see this as an invasion of privacy. For the pat downs, I completely agree that a complete stranger feeling you up is an invasion of privacy, and unless highly justified, unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do not see how the full-body scans are as much of an invasion of privacy as portrayed. I see it as really only a picture, nothing else.
Also, personally, the only thing I can think of for the scanners was our lay-over in Madrid: some British guy laughed at us for taking our shoes off. Convienence, I believe, would be increased by the full body scan.
Although full body scanners are an invasion of our privacy, it is going to keep us safer. I am not thrilled about the idea of security using a scanner that allows them to see beyond my cloths. But I think about it like this, I’d much rather feel uncomfortable for thirty seconds and safe on an airplane, than not going through a full body scan and being afraid for my life...like being thirty-five thousand feet up in the air is not scary enough.
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of extreme security in order to get onto an airplane is not to make people feel comfortable, but to just keep everyone safe. Since 9/11/2001, there has been a fear of terrorists using the planes to kill the passengers and even crash it into a building to kill hundreds of people. Airport security is coming up with ideas such as the full body scanners to beat the terrorists' sneaky ideas in order to harm passengers.
ReplyDelete