Inspired by
celticwhisper's
letter to Sen. Durbin, I decided to write a letter to the mayor of St. Louis explaining why I cancelled a business trip to his city.
I would appreciate any feedback any of you have.
I also release any right to copyright, placing the contents of said letter into the public domain for you to edit as you wish and sned to your own cities of interest.
The Honorable Francis G. Slay
City Hall, Room 200
1200 Market Street
St. Louis, Missouri 63103
Dear Mayor Slay:
I regret to inform you that I have canceled a business trip to your fine city as a result of the very real possibility of encountering either cancer-causing radiation or sexual molestation at Lambert-St. Louis International airport, under your city’s ownership. This decision will cost St. Louis tax revenues from air, car rental, and hotel reservations. It will also deprive St. Louis business owners of revenue potential from meals, gifts, and fuel for this trip.
I certainly understand that the city of St. Louis has no direct control over the decisions of the TSA. I also understand that following the horrific events of September 11, airport security required an overhaul.
However, the whole body imaging scanners are ineffective at keeping threats off of planes, as was recently revealed through testing at Dallas/Ft. Worth International (DFW). Furthermore, as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, and as a recipient of the TSA’s new enhanced patdown regimen, I find the two uncomfortably close in relation. It is unfortunate that I have the unique experience to determine I have been sexually assaulted at the hands of a government agent. Before you dismiss this claim as mere histrionics, consider that genital touching and manipulation, regardless of intent, whether through clothing or not, and under duress and threat of authority, is unacceptable in any setting.
While you have no control over the TSA and its decisions, you do have control over your city’s response to such intrusive tactics. Please work with your airport management to send a strong message to the TSA that their tactics are unwelcome in your city. I simply cannot in good conscience spend my money in a city that feels, through tacit acceptance, such actions are appropriate.
Sincerely,
barbell
cc: Ms. Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge, Director of Airports
St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission