Preview

Full Body Scans: a Matter of National Security vs. Personal Indignities

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1289 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Full Body Scans: a Matter of National Security vs. Personal Indignities
Kaitlin Dingess
Dr. Carena
English 102
Persuasive Research Paper
April 10th, 2012
Full Body Scans: A Matter of National Security vs. Personal Indignities Safety and security is important and a high priority for anyone. As a result of several events, such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the now infamous Christmas day “Underwear Bomber” transportation security has been revamped and reinvented to protect innocent people from religious/political extremists and crazies alike. In some cases, measures of heightened security have been praised such as the hiring of more security guards or the addition of more metal detectors to airport security in particular. In other cases, controversy and outrage have erupted worldwide like in the case of the digital full body scanners, sometimes referred to as “virtual strip searches.” The Department of Homeland Security defends the scanners, reasoning that in unsafe and unsure times citizens need to sacrifice for their safety. The Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, defends the scanners the most, doing their best to dispel all rumors of misuse, invasion of privacy, and health risks cited by the scanners opponents and also have allowed an alternative pat down instead of being scanned if the passenger so wishes. The TSA also goes on further to implement strict rules and regulations for the use of the scanners, restricting all images from being saved or duplicated and training security officers extensively to be professional toward passengers with the new and extreme measures taken (Bennett). Although these new security measures have support and justification, are the measures being taken too extreme? Many are wary of the body scanners and alternative pat downs because of privacy invasions, health risks, and cost.
Full body scanners used for security purposes pose serious concern to many United States citizens and citizens abroad because of potential violations of individual privacy and personal liberty due to the


Cited: "Airport Body Scanner TruthThe Truth behind the Airport Full-body Scanners." Scan or Pat-down? With Kids, It’s Not an Easy Decision: The Truth behind the Airport Full-body Scanners. Web. 09 Apr. 2012. <http://bodyscannertruth.com/?p=1222>. Bennett, Brian, and Jordan Steffen. "TSA Chief Defends Body Scanners, Pat-downs." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 17 Nov. 2010. Web. 09 Apr. 2012. <http://articles.latimes.com/2010/nov/17/nation/la-na-tsa-pat-downs-20101118>. "Experts Assess Health Risks of Airport Full-Body Scanners." MedPage Today. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. <http://www.medpagetoday.com/PublicHealthPolicy/PublicHealth/23614>. "LiveLeak.com - Body Scanner, with Detailed Genitalia Reporting." LiveLeak.com. Web. 09 Apr. 2012. <http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=972_1262283908>. "Reason Magazine." Reason Magazine. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. <http://reason.com/blog/2010/11/17/tsa-body-scanners-arent-worth>.
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    From 9/11 to Now: How America Has Changed Forever
    • 713 Words
    • 3 Pages

    From 9/11 to Now: How America Has Changed Forever

    Before the attacks on the World Trade Center, airports security was fairly simple. For instance, passengers only had to show your ID and passengers were allowed to bring sharp objects on board such as: penknives, box cutters, and sharp scissors. Passengers were also allowed to walk through security with their shoes on, a belt on, or even a drink in their hand. Whereas now, we have adopted a new form of security called the Transportation Security Administration. Security now stops you at every checkpoint and you have to show your ID. Also, you cannot carry sharp objects onto the plane. You now have to take off your shoes and belt, and have them ran through a metal detector. Another key point is that passengers are not allowed to have liquids above 3.4 ounces when going through the checkpoints. Special items such as laptops must be pulled out of the luggage. One of the most noticeable changes is the need to arrive at the airport early. The United Airlines website, for example, suggested airport arrival times include this recommendation for Los Angeles International: “Customers with checked baggage should arrive 2 hours before flight…

    • 713 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Analysis Of Excuse Me But Your House Is Seeking By Angela Kelley
    • 512 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Analysis Of Excuse Me But Your House Is Seeking By Angela Kelley

    Angela Kelley’s article “Excuse Me, But Your House is Leaking,” discusses the new technologies of Thermal Imaging Devices (TIDs) and how they are impacting our Fourth Amendment right that protects us against invasion of privacy. The use of TIDs improperly opens the door to unreasonable searches and seizures. Because of the nature of the intrusion, TIDs somehow fall outside the letter of the law. However, do they fall outside the spirit in which the laws were originally crafted? This paper will react to this point.…

    • 512 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    9/11 security
    • 436 Words
    • 2 Pages

    9/11 security

    As we approach the 13th anniversary of 9/11, America’s air security is more stable. We are more prepared to confront any threats against our airlines. Prior to September 11, 2001, there was only limited technology in place to protect the threats to passengers or the aircraft. Prior to 9/11, security had been handled by each airport, which outsourced to private security companies. Immediately following the attacks, congress created the TSA agency. The new TSA implemented procedures that included stricter guidelines on passenger and luggage screening. Only ticketed passengers could go through security, and an ever-changing array of machinery and procedures were introduced to scan for weapons and destructive items. As new threats were discovered after 9/11, new procedures were introduced, including removing shoes and banning liquids.Second, we’ve improved security with technology that provides advanced screening for explosives. For example at theEven though the pain caused on September 11, 2011 will never be taken back, the American people have taken action to make the United States stronger and more determined to preserve, protect and defend the freedoms which have always defined our nation. checkpoints nationwide, “TSA utilizes Advanced Imaging Technology – among other advanced technologies such as Explosives Trace Detection and Bottle Liquid Scanners–“ that provide us with the best opportunity to detect explosives. With upgraded software, safety is even more efficient, while at the same time ensuring privacy protection for all passengers.Third, TSA now screens all air cargo transported on passenger planes domestically and we are working with our international partners to achieve this level of screening for all international inbound cargo on passenger planes. Airplanes themselves also underwent major overhauls: Fortified cockpit doors were introduced, and first-class cabin curtains were dropped by some airlines. Pilots can now apply to become a federal flight deck…

    • 436 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Response Paper
    • 824 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Response Paper

    Thomas Frank’s article presents a theme that receives a controversial nature. Based on my understanding backscatter x-rays are more honest than normal scenarios and reduce the danger of exposure to radiation. I believe this call made by Frank Cerra is a lawful reason to permit the use of backscatter x-ray machines. On the other hand, the issue of privacy invasion does not convince me as a strong enough reason, why? Because the privacy advocates sound like the great unwashed who are straining to create a problem that is not in that location. The TSA said the images are cart onlike in nature, uses outlines of a person’s body and erases details within highlighted areas. I would prefer a machine that has a one in a thousand chance of discovering a person’s physical structure and can detect threats than metal scanners. It is worth noting that Thomas Frank does not demand as a side; he covers all the opposing views fairly.…

    • 824 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Fighting Against Nyc's Stop-And-Frisk Policy
    • 873 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Fighting Against Nyc's Stop-And-Frisk Policy

    CHAPPELL, KEVIN. "Fighting Against NYC's Stop-And-Frisk Policy." Ebony 67.11 (2012): 29. Academic Search Premier. Web. 24 Sept. 2014. Chappell is a writer for Ebony Magazine. Chappell talks about the stop and frisk police program in New York City. He talks about how blacks are practically being targeted and even gives statistics about the rate in which black men are stopped and how most of these men are eventually found to not be breaking any laws. He gives an account of someone and states that it can be physically and psychologically traumatizing. He states how the stop and frisk is just a massive racial profiling program. What I find most fascinating about this article is the statistics it provides. I feel it will help me in trying to paint the picture of racial profiling from a statically point of view. I plan on using this source to show how law enforcement plays a critical role in racial profiling.…

    • 873 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Indivdual Assignment
    • 358 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Indivdual Assignment

    “Does the massive use of Big Brother surveillance technologies make you feel safer because it can protect you from crime, or less safe because of possible violations of your civil liberties? Will you be more careful now using communication technologies, knowing that anything you type or send electronically could be reconstructed and used to judge your lawfulness or your character?”…

    • 358 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Stop and Frisk
    • 1557 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Stop and Frisk

    My name is _________ and I am here to bring attention to the “Stop and Frisk Laws” and how they affect our youth and damage our society. Also through this exchange of information I hope to show how these type of laws go against our constitutional rights.…

    • 1557 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Stop and Frisk for Law
    • 1231 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Stop and Frisk for Law

    Stop-and-frisk in new york city. (2012, Aug 9, 2012). New York Times. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1032720371?accountid=27899…

    • 1231 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Security Checks
    • 955 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Essay On Security Checks

    Some of these include doing more drug searches, locker checks, and bag checks. The fourth amendment in the United States Constitution states that search and seizure is prohibited unless there is a probable cause and requires a warrant for actions to be taken. (US Constitution) This keeps schools from searching the students personal property unless there is a legal reason to do so. Many schools provide drug searches where an authority figure, such as a police officer, will come into the school with drug dogs. These dogs are trained to recognize the scent of many illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. If one of these substances is scented by the dogs, an authority figure may search the area. In bigger cities where violence incidents are more common, schools have placed metal detectors at the main entrance of the building. (School Security) This helps to keep dangerous, metallic, items such as guns or knives out of the…

    • 955 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Racial Profiling Writing Samples
    • 1763 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Racial Profiling Writing Samples

    In New York, many pedestrians and loiterers have been stopped and frisked for no apparent reason. Bob Herbert’s article, “Hounding the Innocent,” states that more than forty-five thousand people have been stopped. The ironic part of this statement is that less than ten thousand arrests were made. The majority of these harassed citizens were Hispanic or black. These frisks are believed to be from racial profiling. Other incidents across the globe have made an impact on the society.…

    • 1763 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    TSA Argumentative Essay
    • 750 Words
    • 3 Pages

    TSA Argumentative Essay

    The officers have denied over 10,700 people in 2015 do to insufficient visa, criminal record or faulty information. (Nixon) Even with this criminals won’t be stopped. They find new ways to adapt, evade and hurt. Former presidential candidate Ralph Nader said “If there is a will there is a way, no amount of patting is going to uncover what terrorists want to hide” People will try whatever they can and patting them down, if anything it will make it worse, because terrorists try to hide these explosives in their body cavities to try to cause pain and suffering. And ultimately the TSA won’t fix this with scanners and pat…

    • 750 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Argumentative Essay: Two Important Interests
    • 491 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Argumentative Essay: Two Important Interests

    After the tragedy that was 9/11 airport security tightened. Fourteen years ago one only needed to walk through a simple metal detector to get through airport security. A minor inconvenience if you had pocket change or a large belt buckle, or shoes with metal etc. That is no longer the case. Now you must have a specific ID that matches the name on your ticket, shoes and all outwear must be removed when passing through screenings, all bags much be checked and screened, special items such as laptops must be removed from bags, you may not visit an airline gate without a ticket, and full body scans and enhanced pat downs. All of these security measures were implemented after…

    • 491 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Case Law Search
    • 949 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Case Law Search

    The aftermath of the 9/11 in 2001, has left the United States of America in frenzy. It is this particular event that has been devastating to our nation and unforgettable. Furthermore, stressing the importance of the safety and health of the general public. September 11, has caused federal and state governments to merge public health and public safety into one. This merger brought about the significance of public health preparedness. In other words, this merger created ways in which we can protect the country against future terrorist attacks and the precautions that we must now take to ensure that our nation and its people are protected (Annas, 2012). The United States Supreme Court now upholds the merger. But where problems begin is in the area of routine strip searches of those who are arrested (even those who commit a minor crime such as, not wearing a seat belt) before being confined to either jail or prison. The U.S. Supreme court had to determine whether or not these routine strip searches were a violation of the Fourth Amendment. According to Walenta (2010), the Fourth Amendment states: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized” (para 1, pg. 1). In other words, this prohibits those in positions of authority to conduct strip searches on individuals without probable cause. Hence, the term “unreasonable” searches. Public health as well as medical professionals and staff should be informed of how. This writer will further discuss the findings in Annas’s article in the New England Journal of Medicine titled “Strip Searches in the Supreme Court –Prisons and Public…

    • 949 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Racial Disparities in the U.S. Judicial System
    • 5238 Words
    • 16 Pages

    Racial Disparities in the U.S. Judicial System

    NYCLU. (2013, August 12). Stop and Frisk Data. Retrieved March 5th, 2014, from New York Civil Liberties Union: http://www.nyclu.org/content/stop-and-frisk-data…

    • 5238 Words
    • 16 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Political Geography: Gun Control Debate
    • 688 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Political Geography: Gun Control Debate

    Bibliography: The Editorial Board. "The Public Wants Background Checks." New York Times. N.p., 9 Apr. 2013. Web. 15 Apr. 2013.…

    • 688 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics