In its editorial, Government Pornography Ring The Washington Times asserts that TSA’s new body scanners inappropriately curb individual liberty and privacy. First the article states that the images from TSA’s new body scanners are pornographic in nature as the machines can see through a passengers clothing. Next, the editorial argues that in other contexts TSA’s security measures, such as frisking the elderly and the very young as well as taking pornographic images would be considered felonies. Lastly, the author claims that TSA oversteps their authority and violates 4th amendment rights and hides legally behind an appeal system that supports the governmental agency.
“Government Pornography Ring.” Editorial. The Washigton Times 22 July 2011: n. pag. Washington Times. Web. 16 Feb. 2012. .
Although The Washington Post makes some valid points, some of the views they express seem a little paranoid. The presentation of evidence effectively paints TSA in a negative connotation; however the conclusions drawn from this evidence do not completely make sense. I, for one, do not buy the editorial’s argument that the appeals court that handled the legal implications of this is biased in favor of TSA because it ruled for the agency.That being said, I do agree with the article’s assessment of the body scanners. I believe that the government has no right to take images that see the clothes of a traveler just because he or she wanted to get on an airplane. Additionally given the unprofessional attitude displayed by many TSA agents I would be highly uncomfortable with these types of images, computerized or not, being in the hands of the TSA. In all, this article evoked additional concern from me around TSA; however I was not convinced that the agency completely overstepped its boundaries.
Link to the article: www.washingtontimes.com
Link to the article: www.washingtontimes.com
