A public letter to Senator Barbara Boxer

Dear Senator Boxer

I am truly concerned by the over the top security theatre that the TSA is using to create a false sense of security when searching passengers before they fly.

Specifically, my concerns surround the medically dangerous new full body scanners and the alternate manual search that is actually a sexual assault.

The manual search is a violation of California state laws regarding sexual molest. of children and adults. The scanning, if done repeatedly, is medically unsafe, and has not been proven effective in stopping acts of terrorism. Flyers, particularly frequent flyers, are faced with an impossible choice, either face the dangers of radiation during repeated full body scans or be sexually assaulted on a regular basis. The public reaction to these two unacceptable choices is shutting down commerce in our state because people are refusing to fly, and the entire process is a violation of the 4th Amendment.

I am also amazed that citizens are now being threatened by TSA with Civil Suits carrying a $10K fine for not agreeing with one of TSA's two screening "options" after being escorted from the screening area and airport. I see this as an act of threat, coercion and punishment by the TSA. The TSA is out of control, and truly needs stronger oversight. The new scanners should have had a 90 day public comment period before implementation, and I feel they were implemented administratively without proper review and approval.

Please try to add these issues to the agenda for tomorrows Transportation Security Administration Oversight Hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security.

Thank you for listening

Greg Gehr
Lifelong Democrat

http://www.scribd.com/doc/35498347/UCSF-letter-to-Holdren-concerning-health-r...

http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/Full+body+scanners+waste+money+Israeli+exp...

http://www.dailytech.com/New+Full+Body+Scanners+Cant+Detect+Liquid+Explosives...

http://is.gd/hapqQ (aclu.org)
3 responses
If you want to provide input on this issue before tomorrows Senate hearing, here is a list of who to contact: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-safety-security/1147610-heads-up-senate...
Very interesting, this is what the TSA agents are saying!

http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2010/11/18/tsa-enhanced-pat-down...

RESPONSE FROM SENATOR BARBARA BOXER

Dear Mr. Gehr:

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) new procedures for screening passengers at airports in the United States. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

As you know, in 2010 the TSA introduced whole-body imaging systems and enhanced pat-down procedures, either of which may be used to check for concealed weapons or explosives underneath an individual passenger's clothes.

Many Americans have expressed concerns about these new intrusive security measures. I am pleased that TSA Administrator John Pistole recently announced a test program that would capture less revealing images to check for threats underneath a passenger's clothing.

In addition, on November 19, 2010, I wrote a letter to Mr. Pistole, asking him to develop a "trusted traveler" program – already available for airline pilots - for fully vetted, law-abiding U.S. airline passengers.

I strongly believe that we can implement common-sense policies to protect our national security without infringing on individual privacy rights. Be assured that I will keep working to ensure that all American air passengers can travel safely and comfortably.

Again, thank you for writing to me about this issue. Please feel free to contact me again on this or any other issue of concern to you.

Barbara Boxer

United States Senator