Seeing Us Naked For The Sake of "Security"

My views on the TSA and airline security screenings in general are well-known 'round these parts: They are useless. Not only are they unnecessary and a tremendous waste of government money, they are an instrusion of our privacy. We are all treated equally - scrutinized as potential criminals. Travelers must pass through metal detectors, we must remove our shoes, our carry-on bags are x-rayed for explosives or other contraband. And sometimes...randomly...we are pulled out of line for an "enhanced" search (the metal wand screening and maybe a pat-down). All in the name of "safety" of course. Right. I've been subjected to an "enhanced" search, and my response to this unmitigated bullshit is that I will NEVER fly on the airlines again.

Airline pilots must go through the same gauntlet of security devices as everyone else. Even they are eyed as potential terrorists. Can't be too careful, you know.

The latest and greatest security device that the usless TSA has implemented is a scanner that can see right through your clothes. You heard me - right through your clothes. They call it "Advanced Imaging Technology, or AIT. And yes, it can see your naked body. There are those of us who feel that this egregious invasion of privacy is unconstitutional.

One airline pilot apparently agrees: For instance a certain Michael Roberts, who flies for ExpressJet Airlines. On his way to work on October 15th, he arrived at the Memphis International Airport. He passed through the initial battery of metal detectors, but refused to submit to the AIT. The TSA monkeys offered him an alternative: a physical pat-down. Roberts, who obviously knows something about constitutional law, asked if he was suspected of a crime? The answer was obviously "no" but rulez iz rulez, according to the TSA monkeys.

Hilarity ensued. Roberts was in fact made to feel like a criminal, scolded like a misbehaving child and ultimately he was denied entrance to the airport...to work. Yes, a federal case is being made of this.

HERE is the story that aired on ABC News.

Roberts and his attorney are quite clear: These types of strip-searches are unconstitutional. Legally, the alternative "pat-down" search is only called for when a person is suspected of committing a crime. And so they are suing, as damn well they should.

When oh when are we Americans going to stand up and put an end to this bullshit destruction of our civil rights? Maybe Michael Roberts and his attorney can start a movement and we can get rid of the TSA once and for all.

HERE is the story from the pilot himself, in his own words, on Lew Rockwell's blog. As we edge deeper and deeper into a police state similar to Nazi Germany, it is worth the time you'll spend reading it so you'll see how far it's already gone.

America: Land of the free, home of the brave? Nah. Land of the sheep, home of the scared.