Mindful Musings #15

Recently, the TSA initiated the use of an x-ray-type machine to curtail any would-be terrorists from stowing metal on their persons. The results have been clamorous to say the least. It appears to have begun with the refusal of a flyer from San Diego who refused the x-ray machine search and was forced to have his "junk" touched. He felt the feeling up was a constitutional infringement on the right to undue search and seizure. He was promptly told he could not fly and was escorted out of the airport. The media got the story and "bam" it's become one of the huge stories of the week.

The Righties are going nuts over this citing their amendment rights as being violated. And I began to get caught up in the minutia of the argument. Damned if I'll let anyone touch me! I watched the video of the new pat-down procedures and was appalled. I've discussed this with friends and now there appears to be another angle in all of this.

Apparently, there are very few of these x-ray body scanners in the airports and the majority of people going through screening have only been directed to the metal detectors, of which we are familiar. So, what's the real story?

I stepped back and watched the government; Ms. Napolitano and her other minions, comment on the fact that if one doesn't like it, then one does not need to fly. Their goal, as they stated it, is to protect the entire public. Ok, I get it and I agree, but I wonder if Ms. Napolitano would say that to someone who, like me, lives on an island.

I admit to an over-reaction in this matter but what bothers and flumoxes me is the fact that I actually have sided with the wacko Right. This caused me to review my reasoning as I am almost always opposed to the Righties. Now, my only concern is cargo. If everyone has to (eventually) go through a thorough feel-up then shouldn't the cargo on these planes be inspected? Shouldn't every single piece of luggage be inspected? Currently, as I understand it, not every single piece is inspected.

Obviously, there must be a solution to this problem and I am assuming, as the majority of Americans, that our government is trying to protect us, but like the Righties, I wonder about personal liberty and privacy rights. They are being eroded as we speak, but so far, I'm going to do what is expected of me as an air traveler or I'll be stuck on this island for the rest of my life. The choice is not mine. Sigh.