Airport Security Continued

Last weekend, "The 'Right' Solutions" touched on the issue of Airline Security, as it is a major part of our battle in the War on Terror, then updated the entry with the "Don't Touch My Junk" guy.

Since this week began, we have been bombarded with stories about searches, lawsuits and yesterday's news that TSA Agents at San Francisco International Airport will be prosecuted for inappropriate touching. Video recently resurfaced of a TSA Agent searching A THREE YEAR OLD and the child's reaction (WARNING: This video is upsetting to view)



Mind you, this video is two years old, but it is still very unsettling.

Despite these images and complaints, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano simply responds comply or don't fly. Her unwillingness to change on this issue and endorse behavioral analysis in lieu of the body scans and invasive pat-downs could have deleterious effects on tourism, the airline industry and our freedoms, as Napolitano will view it as reason to expand the use of these machines and techniques.

In New Jersey, Newark International Airport, the first New York area airport to receive the body scanners, doesn't have the best security track record, between the goodbye kiss lockdown, in the Continental Airlines Terminal (EWR is a major Continental Hub), that delayed flights worldwide, as well as the act of missing of a hunting knife. This is probably the reason why Homeland Security decided EWR received them early. New Jerseyans have mixed reviews, but Senator Mike Doherty is leading a bi-partisan effort to ask Congress to stop the use of the body scanners. In his press conference, Republicans, Democrats, the medical community and ACLU all come together to speak against these machines and techniques. Knowing he can take an issue to the forefront of a debate, is is hopeful that Governor Christie will support this effort and speak loudly against these changes.

Having traveled to Europe and used major airports such as Fiumicino (Rome), Schiphol (Amsterdam) and Keflavik (Iceland), I have witnessed dogs used to search and many believe they are more effective. And again, it would be most effective if Homeland Security implements changes to their security process that analyze behavior, similar to what is done at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport.

Americans will be watching, and if the Federal Government ignores these complaints, we may be seeing more Opt-Out Days, as well as average American citizens speaking out in similar fashion to those in the TEA Party.