Originally Posted by
divemistressofthedark
One thing I haven't seen mentioned...
Mrs. Dorn got this false positive after going through a backscatter machine. No way, no how should anyone with a history of cancer or this type of health issue be going anywhere near those accursed things.
Here's hoping someone sends her info on SDOO and opt-out, stat.
Which brings up another important point. First, tissue expanders placed in anticipation of breast reconstruction surgery are placed beneath the skin. If the backscatter machine is physically capable of detecting them (subcutaneously), then there is enough x-ray energy and beam current to impart dose on the traveling public. And the energy is high enough to impart ionizing radiation dose to subcutaneous tissues, such as radiosensitive organs like lungs and kidneys, as has been discussed here many times.
From the medical perspective of a post-RT breast cancer patient, the incremental dose in the chest area) isn't of particular concern, but the effect of the Xray machine and the TSA's use of the images are of prime concern.
It is good that the TSA's callous and wanton disrespect of this person because they are using the wrong technology (and have lied about its capabilities in the past), has been brought to light, and they have apologized to this individual. It remains to be seen if the TSA as an agency can be rehabilitated.
Further reports on this
here.
Further, in the article, the TSA
still claims the "patdown" was appropriate, just not the way it was done.
A step in the right direction, to be sure, but we are a long ways from America, and one step won't get us back there.
From the comments from The Hill article, this one is quite apropos:
TSA has repeatedly promised more humane security since last November yet has continued to abuse millions of passengers. This is just one of the countless number of humiliations and assaults they have committed. Last month they removed a Toledo mother from a flight in Detroit in handcuffs, strip searched her and questioned her for six hours before realizing she was just a mother from from Toledo. This is an example of TSA compassion and what they have "learned" from their abuses.
TSA is a jobs program creating an illusion of airline security. After nearly a trillion dollars over eight years they can't cite one success. Meanwhile 60% of the freight in the cargo hold remains unscreened, half of that from foreign shippers.
Add to that the 52 TSA screeners arrested this year for serious crimes, including two last month, one for rape and the other for murder. Of these, nine have been for sex crimes involving children. They can’t prevent crime within their own ranks, but we’re supposed to trust this agency with airport security.
There is no excuse to harass and humiliate this woman simply for the "crime" of flying. The guards at Treblinka were just doing their job too and sadly even had those who excused their atrocities.
This is a clear failure in management and explains why so many abuses are occurring. Pistole and the senior staff of TSA have failed miserably in managing this agency and it must be abolished.