Guilty until proven innocent

The TSA is performing appalling pat downs across the country as I write this.  New screening procedures have gone into effect.  At some airports across the country, you go through full body scanners, some of which emit low level radiation as they take x-rays so that TSA can "see beneath clothing."  This essentially renders you naked to the TSA screener who is viewing the images in another room.  If you choose to opt out of the full-body scanner, you will find yourself subjected to a very invasive pat down which includes screeners using open hands to pat down your entire body, including up your inner thigh and your genitals, your butt and across women's breasts.

In an interview on the Today Show this morning, the head of TSA said that this type of pat down is not required for children under 12.  What is the difference between a child of 12 and a child of 13?  We tell children that only mom, dad and doctors should touch them in certain places in certain ways.  What makes it acceptable that TSA agents should be added to that short list?  Why should mothers carrying breastmilk for their babies be subjected to such invasive measures?  We are not a country full of suspected bombers, terrorists, criminals. 

How has it come to this?  Security in the US hasn't been proactive in a long time.  This is purely a reaction to incidents like the 'underwear bomber' of last Christmas.  Last Christmas.  And these screening measures have just gone into effect.  I certainly don't believe that violating the rights of citizens is the way to ensure the safety of those same people.  As I read earlier today, the government is essentially counting citizens guilty until proven innocent under these new screening rules.

There is justifiable outrage over this new, invasive, absurd screening procedure.  Just do a quick Google search or watch the news today.  The number of articles, blog posts and grass roots groups grows by the hour.  Do your research.  And then get busy writing letters.  Write to the airlines.  Write to senators, representatives, governors.  Still angry?  The number of industries which profit from air travel is extensive- hotels, rental car companies.  You can write a lot of letters.  You can speak up.  You can make a difference.  You can put an end to the travesty befalling us this very moment.

Here is the letter we've sent to all the major airlines.  It's an edited version of one I found earlier today.  Feel free to use it.  Addresses are easy to find for the airlines, but this message board post has the major airlines listed in one place.  There is a link to find your senator and representative.  Please, take the time to fight this and to stand up for yourself, your family, your rights.

Sample letter to airlines regarding new screening measures:

Dear (airline executive),



I know that the TSA is not directly under your control. However, I am certain that the (airline name) has a greater influence on the policies of the TSA than do I. I believe that it is important that the (airline name) exert whatever influence that it may have with the TSA to prevent what may be the cause of a significant reduction in future revenues as people choose to drive or not travel in response to the new policies of the TSA. Of greatest concern are the full-body scanners, and the intimate physical pat downs, which include genitalia, that are the result of opting out of the full-body scan or used to resolve anomalies found in the scan.


I am shocked, appalled and disgusted and I know many of my traveling companions are as well. I am taking steps to severely reduce and/or discontinue my air travel and interaction with TSA. I believe that the scanners are a substantial invasion of privacy and the intimate pat downs are criminal. In addition, some of the systems needlessly expose passengers to x-rays. The delays these machines create are significant. The scanners are slower than metal detectors and the often unnecessary pat downs delay passengers further and create back ups in security.


I will not be flying at all until sanity returns to checkpoint screening. I may not be able to influence the draconian security procedures, but I can choose not to fly. I can and will urge my friends and family to do the same. I believe I am not alone in my sentiments.


Sincerely,


(your name)

Sample letter to senators and congressmen regarding new screening measures:

Dear (senator/congressman),

I am writing to you today to voice my absolute displeasure over the new screening measures implemented by the Transportation Security Administration.  I was shocked and disgusted to learn about the new full body scanners and pat down procedures that are required.  I see no reason why my body needs to be on full view for a stranger with no probable cause.  I also see no reason why, if I choose to opt out of the full body scan, I should be subjected to an open hand pat down of my self including my (breasts,) buttocks and genitals.    

I find it appalling that citizens are being treated in this manner, essentially considered guilty until proven innocent.  I certainly do not relish the thought of flying and being compelled to undergo to such screening measures.

I will not be purchasing any more airline tickets until these measures have been resolved.  I can and will urge my friends and family to do the same.  I believe I am not alone in my sentiments.  I will urge my fellow citizens to use their votes to encourage our representatives and civic officials to hold the TSA accountable.

Thank you for your time. The Constitution guarantees all Americans freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, and an invasive procedure which clearly violates the spirit of this cherished document should not be implemented lightly. I urge you to look into what is going on with security at our airports. I agree that security is important, but our basic right to be secure in our person and effects should not be easily overridden by a federal agency acting outside of its defined powers.

Sincerely,

(your name)

But mom...

Ophelia has been getting up early all week, after not sleeping very well.  That darn Daylight Savings is not welcome in our house anymore.  She doesn't know she's getting up at 5:15 am, well, I guess I can't prove that she doesn't know.  So, we've been up early. 

This morning, we had enough time to take a walk before we had to leave for school and work.  When we came back, I still needed to put my makeup on.  I settled her in her room with some books.  I went into the bathroom, not 5 steps away, to finish getting ready.  Seven minutes later, I found her, not with books scattered around, but with wipes all over the floor.  She is obsessed with the cloth wipes and taking them out of the open container we leave them in.  She's quite giddy when she realizes she has a container of actual wipes to get her hands on.  

Like this...

We'll be using wipes out of gallon bag for the next few weeks.

Waiting, waiting...

I had another job interview a month ago.  Just last week, they interviewed the last candidate.  Apparently they had a tricky time scheduling interviews for all 10 candidates they chose.  Anyway, my interview went well, I think.  It was easier going into it since I've already gone through the process once post-graduation and once pre-graduation for the internship I had.  It helps that I know everyone in the children's department, too.  Now, the actual waiting game begins.  At the interview they said that they hoped to be notifying people in the next couple of weeks.  Fingers crossed that I get one of the two positions this time!

In the meantime, three more youth librarian positions were posted so it's conceivable that if I don't get one of these, I could get yet another interview.  It would be awfully nice to start using my degree, though.