Grace McCall Managing Editor / Allie Schmitt Op/Ed Editor

On Dec. 25, 2009 Umar Abdulmutallab set himself on fire while trying to detonate the explosives hidden in his underwear.  So because of this terrorist’s stupidity and threat, we are all now suspects of terrorism and have been stripped of our personal right to privacy.   Recently, it has been discovered that airport security literally provides what CNN calls a “virtual strip search” of all passengers.  The US Department of Homeland Security has been asked to ban this type of security, because of its capability to see through passenger’s clothing.

Although many airport attendants believe that this form of security is extremely reliable and benefits the safety of travelers, the seemingly preposterous search is not only an invasion of privacy but it is an intrusion of personal rights.  When you fly to Miami for Spring Break or to Ohio to visit your grandparents for a weekend, do you really intend on stripping off your clothes for all to see?  I doubt you intend for middle aged strangers to stare at your naked body on a screen. 

So why is it that Airport Security finds it necessary to reveal our bodies?  It seems ludicrous and inappropriate to look beneath the clothed bodies of individuals wanting to travel. But because of the few terrorists, billions of people have to participate in this form of security and suffer the consequences of terrorism.

 So if “safety” is what we are after, let’s think of this:  what about all of the cases of molestation or rape or any kind of forced sexual actions; our concern for protecting our bodies and right to privacy?  Think of all the perverted people in this world; all the people who would instantly volunteer to work the machine which views naked images all day.  Does it seem safe for men and women to be allowed to view the nude bodies of passengers for a minimum of the 15 to 30 seconds- the time it takes for a single scan? I personally do not find this “safe.” 

 It’s been reported that the images are so detailed that the gender is clearly recognizable and that it is possible to vividly see drops of sweat on someone’s back.    Think of the celebrities who walk through this scanner.  The security officer working the technology could easily sell the naked image of the famous person for millions of dollars.  Even average teenagers could earn officers money from the desperate and perverted men who enjoy staring at pornographic images for hours at a time.

Attorneys have made recent claims that airports are gradually taking away our rights.  TSA (Transportation Security Administration) says that in the past couple of months hundreds of women have complained about these “on-hand” security checks.  Also, hundreds of individuals have complained about the invasion of privacy which the exposing scanners have caused.  Rhonda Gaynier says, “I’m not going to fly if I have to get a breast exam.” 

With the ability to see through clothing, but not have a full X-ray, people can still get past security by storing illegal items in other parts of their body.  Things will always be altered, and there will never be a guaranteed permanent way to avoid terrorism and tragedy from happening.  This may sound unfortunate, but it is true.  People will change their ways and find out how to cross the line without it being known. 

In the end, this “safer” form of scanning turns out to be anything but safe.  Bruce Schneier says, “We’d be much better going after the bad guys…and back to pre-9/11 levels of airport security.”  When it comes to politics, we may try to watch our own backs, stated Schneier,   “but unfortunately it doesn’t make us any safer.  People’s rights should not be violated and humiliated by their own government.”

It is important to recognize and consider that these changes in security are not going to put an end to terrorism.  Instead, this will only urge terrorists to change their ways as well.  They will take actions preventing anyone from stopping them.  They won’t come close to the airport, but instead will find other ways to make evil meet their targets.  In all honesty, if the true concern is safety, then security shouldn’t be our main focus.  Instead, our focus should be stopping terrorism from entering our country.  You may think the way to do this is a machine, but no.  What we must do is not to think like Americans.  What we must do is think like terrorists.