Sample Anti-Body-Scanner Letters to Congress, Airlines
Oct 31, 10, 7:40 am
#31
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Arlington VA
Posts: 5,734
They have had shootings (terrorist attacks?) on Capitol Hill before. They have security screening checkpoints at the Capitol (for which Congressmen are currently allowed to skip -- remember the female Congresswoman from Georgia who assaulited a Capitol Hill officer?)... The Capitol should be just as protected as our air system -- possibly more so.
If these WBI machines do in fact make us safer, and are not an inconvenience etc then Congress should lead the way.
Call on Congress to implement these WBI's at Capitol Hill -- and follow the TSA's exact polices.
Do not exempt elected officials -- make them walk through these every day (including removing their shoes, dealing with lines).
Make them fill the pain of lame TSA security policies. If not call them out for their cowardice.
Go on the offensive in our letter writing campaign -- demand they impose upon themselves the same pathetic seucirty theater that they (through TSA) have imposed on us.
Referencing my above post, here's another sample letter:
If these WBI machines do in fact make us safer, and are not an inconvenience etc then Congress should lead the way.
Call on Congress to implement these WBI's at Capitol Hill -- and follow the TSA's exact polices.
Do not exempt elected officials -- make them walk through these every day (including removing their shoes, dealing with lines).
Make them fill the pain of lame TSA security policies. If not call them out for their cowardice.
Go on the offensive in our letter writing campaign -- demand they impose upon themselves the same pathetic seucirty theater that they (through TSA) have imposed on us.
Referencing my above post, here's another sample letter:
Dear Congressman-
As you are certainly by now aware the Department of Homeland Securitys Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has determined that traditional walk-through metal detectors are not enough to protect the air transport system from terrorist activities. TSA is in the process of replacing the metal detectors with the Whole Body Imaging device which uses millimeter wave technology to generate a graphical view of the human body. Passengers have the option to decline and instead receive an intimate frisking. Setting aside the debate on the effectiveness of these measures (a debate I believe it would be good for Congress to have) we can at least take the government at its word that the radiation technology is safe and there are significant measures in place to protect citizen privacy.
The US Capitol is a symbol of Americas might and the strength of our democracy. As a high profile target, the US Capitol requires the greatest protections America has to keep the buildings, the Congressional members and staff and the Citizen visitors safe.
I urge you to do your patriotic duty and support a law requiring Congress to receive the same level of top-notch security that citizen air passengers are subjected to. To prevent issues of certain Congress members exercising authority over security screeners by intimidation or physical force (reference the case of Congresswoman McKinney of Georgia in 2006 when she assaulted a Capitol Hill police officer) this security screening should be applied uniformly to ALL persons entering the Capital buildings and should be performed by members of the Executive Branch (I realize there could be Constitutional issues here, but the Constitution has already been trampled so much this shouldnt hurt much more). Congress and by extension, the American people would be safest if security for Congress people were performed by the experts from the TSA and performed with the same standards inflicted on air passengers, including requiring Congress members to remove their shoes prior to entering Congressional buildings, not taking in liquids over a certain amount, and walking through the safe, radiation-based Whole Body Imaging machine (or receiving an intimate frisking by clean-glove wearing professional screener). This is the way air passengers are kept safe it is only reasonable that Congress should benefit from the same levels of safety. The sacrifices endured to implement these measures would be but a small price to pay for our security.
Regards,
A humble citizen.
As you are certainly by now aware the Department of Homeland Securitys Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has determined that traditional walk-through metal detectors are not enough to protect the air transport system from terrorist activities. TSA is in the process of replacing the metal detectors with the Whole Body Imaging device which uses millimeter wave technology to generate a graphical view of the human body. Passengers have the option to decline and instead receive an intimate frisking. Setting aside the debate on the effectiveness of these measures (a debate I believe it would be good for Congress to have) we can at least take the government at its word that the radiation technology is safe and there are significant measures in place to protect citizen privacy.
The US Capitol is a symbol of Americas might and the strength of our democracy. As a high profile target, the US Capitol requires the greatest protections America has to keep the buildings, the Congressional members and staff and the Citizen visitors safe.
I urge you to do your patriotic duty and support a law requiring Congress to receive the same level of top-notch security that citizen air passengers are subjected to. To prevent issues of certain Congress members exercising authority over security screeners by intimidation or physical force (reference the case of Congresswoman McKinney of Georgia in 2006 when she assaulted a Capitol Hill police officer) this security screening should be applied uniformly to ALL persons entering the Capital buildings and should be performed by members of the Executive Branch (I realize there could be Constitutional issues here, but the Constitution has already been trampled so much this shouldnt hurt much more). Congress and by extension, the American people would be safest if security for Congress people were performed by the experts from the TSA and performed with the same standards inflicted on air passengers, including requiring Congress members to remove their shoes prior to entering Congressional buildings, not taking in liquids over a certain amount, and walking through the safe, radiation-based Whole Body Imaging machine (or receiving an intimate frisking by clean-glove wearing professional screener). This is the way air passengers are kept safe it is only reasonable that Congress should benefit from the same levels of safety. The sacrifices endured to implement these measures would be but a small price to pay for our security.
Regards,
A humble citizen.
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Nov 5, 10 at 10:14 pm Reason: merge consecutive posts
Oct 31, 10, 5:03 pm
#34
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: Continental OnePass Platinum
Posts: 416
FYI, here is a post about a letter I sent to Continental regarding the TSA procedures:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/conti...se-things.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/conti...se-things.html
Oct 31, 10, 7:23 pm
#35
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SYD (perenially), GVA (not in a long time)
Programs: QF PS, EK-Gold, Security Theatre Critic
Posts: 6,342
Nov 2, 10, 12:32 pm
#37
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,044
In response to the letter I sent to my senator, mentioned up thread, I just got a a letter in the mail from my senator. To avoid partisanship I will not mention a name.
The letter specifically addressed my complaints. If it was a form letter, it was a good one.
It did do the usual TSA is trying and we are watching them rhetoric, but it was not dismissive of my complaints or an any way excusing the excesses of the TSA.
The concluding paragraph is all about privacy and constitutional rights. A excerpt:
That is a mailed response to an email in fewer than two weeks. The cynic in me notes it came on election day. The optimist in me notes that it came.
The letter specifically addressed my complaints. If it was a form letter, it was a good one.
It did do the usual TSA is trying and we are watching them rhetoric, but it was not dismissive of my complaints or an any way excusing the excesses of the TSA.
The concluding paragraph is all about privacy and constitutional rights. A excerpt:
Congress must strike a necessary balance of protecting the homeland without jeopardizing our citizens' rights to privacy or otherwise infringing constitutional rights.
Last edited by InkUnderNails; Nov 2, 10 at 12:38 pm Reason: added link
Nov 2, 10, 1:34 pm
#38
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Nashville, TN - BNA
Programs: Hilton Gold, WN RR
Posts: 1,818
I'll bet I can guess which one. I'll look for my own momentarily.
I have also posted my letters on my personal Facebook account since folks are so focused on government today...
I have also posted my letters on my personal Facebook account since folks are so focused on government today...
Nov 3, 10, 12:46 pm
#39
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,044
Consider this part of my therapy. It is just for fun. More sample letters from the sample letter farm. I am done. Maybe.
Hey (airline executive):
Bubba here.
I just wanted you to know that my brother Jim Bob will not be coming for the holidays and since he buys a ticket every year we thought you might miss him. Mommas gonna be real sad cause she really likes Jim Bob as he really is the smarter, but NOT the better looking, of the two of us.
Anyways. It seems Jim Bob accidently skipped past Fox and landed on CNN on while surfin the other night and learned that the blue-shirts at the airport are rubbing some privates in attempt to determine if there is junk where your junk is. First of all, if Jib Bobs carrying, you will know. He dont own a small piece. A gun that is.
Now Jim Bob says that would be okay if he could pick a pretty one, you know, one with all her teeth, to rub his manhood, but he learns that only same gender rubdowns are gonna happen. Well, that aint gonna happen. He dont swing that way, if you know what I mean.
Now he did find that you could take a naked picture of him instead, but he will only do this if he gets to see the proofs. Can you grab a digital medial file on a flash for him as he goes through? If not, he stays home and momma cries.
Anyways, back to business. If you wonder why Jim Bob does not show up at the airport this year, blame the blues. See, thats a little funny cause its momma gonna have the blues.
He said he will send the presents, though. So, all is not lost. Hope its not another fruitcake.
Bubba
Dear (Person that may care):
My name is (your name). I always fly home to see my sister for the holidays. It is easier for me as my sister is getting on in age and I can still get around a bit better. I need to ask a question about something that is really bothering me.
I was raised proper and I am very uncomfortable about the new rules that require the nice inspection people at the airport to now touch me in way that to which my dear departed mother would object. I also understand that they can take picture of me naked, kind of like an x-ray. It sounds dangerous, but I guess I could put my mind far away and pretend I am somewhere else.
This might not be a problem, the folks here in Phoenix are nice and I will be going back to New York, so that is fine. What I really worry about is this. With the economy the way it is and on my fixed income, I have had to buy a ticket that goes though a place in the south, Nashville to be exact. I am worried that these people may not have good enough hygiene for this. I have seen pictures and heard stories, so I want to know that they wash their hands and maybe wear clean gloves because you never really know what they might have been touching.
The airport folks assure me that once I get off the plane to change that I will not have to be touched by them. If you will assure me of this, then I will feel much better about this.
You do not think there will be a lot of them, you know the southerners, actually flying, too, do you? Can they afford it?
Thank you,
(Your Name)
Howdy!
Hey partner, I heard that the security folks at the airport, you know the ones with the cheap badges and the blue shirts, were going to be doing some new kind of search soon.
I do not understand this. You can look a me and my jeans and you can see that unless Ive got a hole in my leg I aint hidin nothing. Man, I get the jeans custom cut over in Tulsa and there is nothing in these but me. And yes, I know my big, big OSU buckle will need to come off, but you keep it where I can see it. Go Pokes!!!!!
I really do not want the naked picture, the jeans pull things oddly out of shape if you know what I mean. So, do the grab. Just be careful, I ride a lot and the road to Resistance is a wide trail, so take it easy.
Now my hat, that is something else. You could defend a third world country for a day or two on what I can hide in my hat, so go ahead and look at. You can even x-ray it if you do not turn it up too high and melt the creases.
Where I really draw the line is my boots. These boots are part of me. They fit like well worn worn gloves and they do not come on and off easy. Gosh, if I wanted to get them off in the plane I could not without going out on the wing with a boot jack. So I have to pull them off and pull them back on. A real pain in the saddle.
So happy trails, yall. See you at the corral, er uh airport.
(Your name)
Hey (airline executive):
Bubba here.
I just wanted you to know that my brother Jim Bob will not be coming for the holidays and since he buys a ticket every year we thought you might miss him. Mommas gonna be real sad cause she really likes Jim Bob as he really is the smarter, but NOT the better looking, of the two of us.
Anyways. It seems Jim Bob accidently skipped past Fox and landed on CNN on while surfin the other night and learned that the blue-shirts at the airport are rubbing some privates in attempt to determine if there is junk where your junk is. First of all, if Jib Bobs carrying, you will know. He dont own a small piece. A gun that is.
Now Jim Bob says that would be okay if he could pick a pretty one, you know, one with all her teeth, to rub his manhood, but he learns that only same gender rubdowns are gonna happen. Well, that aint gonna happen. He dont swing that way, if you know what I mean.
Now he did find that you could take a naked picture of him instead, but he will only do this if he gets to see the proofs. Can you grab a digital medial file on a flash for him as he goes through? If not, he stays home and momma cries.
Anyways, back to business. If you wonder why Jim Bob does not show up at the airport this year, blame the blues. See, thats a little funny cause its momma gonna have the blues.
He said he will send the presents, though. So, all is not lost. Hope its not another fruitcake.
Bubba
Dear (Person that may care):
My name is (your name). I always fly home to see my sister for the holidays. It is easier for me as my sister is getting on in age and I can still get around a bit better. I need to ask a question about something that is really bothering me.
I was raised proper and I am very uncomfortable about the new rules that require the nice inspection people at the airport to now touch me in way that to which my dear departed mother would object. I also understand that they can take picture of me naked, kind of like an x-ray. It sounds dangerous, but I guess I could put my mind far away and pretend I am somewhere else.
This might not be a problem, the folks here in Phoenix are nice and I will be going back to New York, so that is fine. What I really worry about is this. With the economy the way it is and on my fixed income, I have had to buy a ticket that goes though a place in the south, Nashville to be exact. I am worried that these people may not have good enough hygiene for this. I have seen pictures and heard stories, so I want to know that they wash their hands and maybe wear clean gloves because you never really know what they might have been touching.
The airport folks assure me that once I get off the plane to change that I will not have to be touched by them. If you will assure me of this, then I will feel much better about this.
You do not think there will be a lot of them, you know the southerners, actually flying, too, do you? Can they afford it?
Thank you,
(Your Name)
Howdy!
Hey partner, I heard that the security folks at the airport, you know the ones with the cheap badges and the blue shirts, were going to be doing some new kind of search soon.
I do not understand this. You can look a me and my jeans and you can see that unless Ive got a hole in my leg I aint hidin nothing. Man, I get the jeans custom cut over in Tulsa and there is nothing in these but me. And yes, I know my big, big OSU buckle will need to come off, but you keep it where I can see it. Go Pokes!!!!!
I really do not want the naked picture, the jeans pull things oddly out of shape if you know what I mean. So, do the grab. Just be careful, I ride a lot and the road to Resistance is a wide trail, so take it easy.
Now my hat, that is something else. You could defend a third world country for a day or two on what I can hide in my hat, so go ahead and look at. You can even x-ray it if you do not turn it up too high and melt the creases.
Where I really draw the line is my boots. These boots are part of me. They fit like well worn worn gloves and they do not come on and off easy. Gosh, if I wanted to get them off in the plane I could not without going out on the wing with a boot jack. So I have to pull them off and pull them back on. A real pain in the saddle.
So happy trails, yall. See you at the corral, er uh airport.
(Your name)
Nov 3, 10, 7:36 pm
#40
Join Date: May 2010
Location: FLL - Nice and Warm
Programs: TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 1,025
I wrote a letter to Jetblue about naked body scanners and here's the response I got. I wrote:
RESPONSE:
Good Day! I know that the TSA is not directly under your control.
However, I am certain that Jetblue has a greater influence on the policies of the TSA than do I. I believe that it is important that Jetblue 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 new whole body scanners and the intimate physical pat downs that are the result of opting out or used to resolve anomalies found in the scan.
I am particularly concerned and I know many of my traveling companions are as well. We are actively considering options to reduce our air travel and the interaction with the TSA. I believe that the scanners are a significant invasion of privacy and the intimate pat downs are worse. In addition, some of the systems needlessly expose passengers to x-rays. The delays these machines create are significant. They are slower than the metal detectors and the often necessary pat downs delay passengers further and create back ups in security.
I have been an TrueBlue member for about 10 years (since the beginning), and will not be flying AT ALL until sanity returns to checkpoint screening. I will not allow any of my family to fly either under the current situation. I believe I am not alone in my sentiments.
I will be driving BOS-FLL-BOS at Thanksgiving and Xmas this year with my family.
However, I am certain that Jetblue has a greater influence on the policies of the TSA than do I. I believe that it is important that Jetblue 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 new whole body scanners and the intimate physical pat downs that are the result of opting out or used to resolve anomalies found in the scan.
I am particularly concerned and I know many of my traveling companions are as well. We are actively considering options to reduce our air travel and the interaction with the TSA. I believe that the scanners are a significant invasion of privacy and the intimate pat downs are worse. In addition, some of the systems needlessly expose passengers to x-rays. The delays these machines create are significant. They are slower than the metal detectors and the often necessary pat downs delay passengers further and create back ups in security.
I have been an TrueBlue member for about 10 years (since the beginning), and will not be flying AT ALL until sanity returns to checkpoint screening. I will not allow any of my family to fly either under the current situation. I believe I am not alone in my sentiments.
I will be driving BOS-FLL-BOS at Thanksgiving and Xmas this year with my family.
Dear -----,
Thank you for your comments regarding the TSA screenings. You are correct in stating that JetBlue does not have say in what transpires with the screenings but we do understand your frustration.
With the new heighten security; we do not see an end to these screenings. We will share your comments with our Leadership Teams.
Thank you for choosing JetBlue for your past travel needs. We do hope that if you find yourself needing to travel by plane that you once again trust us with your business.
Sincerely,
Terri
Customer Commitment Crew
JetBlue Airways
Crewmember 48088
Thank you for your comments regarding the TSA screenings. You are correct in stating that JetBlue does not have say in what transpires with the screenings but we do understand your frustration.
With the new heighten security; we do not see an end to these screenings. We will share your comments with our Leadership Teams.
Thank you for choosing JetBlue for your past travel needs. We do hope that if you find yourself needing to travel by plane that you once again trust us with your business.
Sincerely,
Terri
Customer Commitment Crew
JetBlue Airways
Crewmember 48088
Nov 3, 10, 11:46 pm
#42
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: DTW
Posts: 234
Here's the response from a Michigan senator.
Thank you for contacting me about protecting the privacy rights of Americans when they travel. I understand your concerns on this issue.
After the failed attack on Christmas Day 2009, there have been increased calls to deploy full body imaging devices during airport screening. These scans improve the ability of screeners to detect concealed items, weapons, and explosives. However, this technique remains controversial because of its invasiveness and has been limited to the secondary screening of select passengers.
As you may know, the House of Representative passed the Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act (H.R.2200) that included the Aircraft Passenger Whole Body Imaging Limitation Act. This bill limits the use of these scans. This legislation is currently pending before the Senate Transportation Committee, of which I am not a member.
I will continue to monitor the Transportation Safety Administration's policies regarding security and personal rights. I believe Congress has a responsibility to protect the American people, but we cannot sacrifice the very liberties we are fighting to protect.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please continue to keep me informed about issues of concern to you and your family.
After the failed attack on Christmas Day 2009, there have been increased calls to deploy full body imaging devices during airport screening. These scans improve the ability of screeners to detect concealed items, weapons, and explosives. However, this technique remains controversial because of its invasiveness and has been limited to the secondary screening of select passengers.
As you may know, the House of Representative passed the Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act (H.R.2200) that included the Aircraft Passenger Whole Body Imaging Limitation Act. This bill limits the use of these scans. This legislation is currently pending before the Senate Transportation Committee, of which I am not a member.
I will continue to monitor the Transportation Safety Administration's policies regarding security and personal rights. I believe Congress has a responsibility to protect the American people, but we cannot sacrifice the very liberties we are fighting to protect.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please continue to keep me informed about issues of concern to you and your family.
Nov 3, 10, 11:58 pm
#43
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Nashville, TN - BNA
Programs: Hilton Gold, WN RR
Posts: 1,818
You know, these hardly sound like "Congress is uniformly in support of the TSA" which we've been told by Someone Who Claims to Know in another thread.
Ink, I think you're slap happy. Loving those sample letters.
Edit, upon a re-read: Whoa!!! There's an Aircraft Passenger Whole Body Imaging Limitation Act?!!!?
Methinks I will doing some research on this, stat, tomorrow morning. Looks like the legislation, as drafted, means they can't use WBI as primary and establishes penalties for those who save or transfer WBI images.
Text of bill: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.2027:
Bill introduced by Jason Chaffetz of Utah, w/22 cosponsors:
Rep Bachmann, Michele [MN-6] - 5/5/2009
Rep Bartlett, Roscoe G. [MD-6] - 5/14/2009
Rep Campbell, John [CA-48] - 5/5/2009
Rep Carter, John R. [TX-31] - 5/5/2009
Rep Conaway, K. Michael [TX-11] - 6/2/2009
Rep Flake, Jeff [AZ-6] - 5/5/2009
Rep Gohmert, Louie [TX-1] - 5/5/2009
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 5/5/2009
Rep Guthrie, Brett [KY-2] - 5/5/2009
Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3] - 5/5/2009
Rep King, Steve [IA-5] - 5/5/2009
Rep Lamborn, Doug [CO-5] - 5/5/2009
Rep Lummis, Cynthia M. [WY] - 5/5/2009
Rep McClintock, Tom [CA-4] - 5/5/2009
Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] - 5/5/2009
Rep Pence, Mike [IN-6] - 5/5/2009
Rep Schock, Aaron [IL-18] - 5/5/2009
Rep Shea-Porter, Carol [NH-1] - 5/14/2009
Rep Smith, Lamar [TX-21] - 5/5/2009
Rep Terry, Lee [NE-2] - 5/5/2009
Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] - 5/5/2009
If anybody lives in any of these districts, it'd be great to call up the offices and see if any of these folks will help us.
If we can get more info on this, we really might want to step up the lobbying in earnest. I'd go to D.C. for this.
Ink, I think you're slap happy. Loving those sample letters.
Edit, upon a re-read: Whoa!!! There's an Aircraft Passenger Whole Body Imaging Limitation Act?!!!?
Methinks I will doing some research on this, stat, tomorrow morning. Looks like the legislation, as drafted, means they can't use WBI as primary and establishes penalties for those who save or transfer WBI images.
Text of bill: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.2027:
Bill introduced by Jason Chaffetz of Utah, w/22 cosponsors:
Rep Bachmann, Michele [MN-6] - 5/5/2009
Rep Bartlett, Roscoe G. [MD-6] - 5/14/2009
Rep Campbell, John [CA-48] - 5/5/2009
Rep Carter, John R. [TX-31] - 5/5/2009
Rep Conaway, K. Michael [TX-11] - 6/2/2009
Rep Flake, Jeff [AZ-6] - 5/5/2009
Rep Gohmert, Louie [TX-1] - 5/5/2009
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 5/5/2009
Rep Guthrie, Brett [KY-2] - 5/5/2009
Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3] - 5/5/2009
Rep King, Steve [IA-5] - 5/5/2009
Rep Lamborn, Doug [CO-5] - 5/5/2009
Rep Lummis, Cynthia M. [WY] - 5/5/2009
Rep McClintock, Tom [CA-4] - 5/5/2009
Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] - 5/5/2009
Rep Pence, Mike [IN-6] - 5/5/2009
Rep Schock, Aaron [IL-18] - 5/5/2009
Rep Shea-Porter, Carol [NH-1] - 5/14/2009
Rep Smith, Lamar [TX-21] - 5/5/2009
Rep Terry, Lee [NE-2] - 5/5/2009
Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] - 5/5/2009
If anybody lives in any of these districts, it'd be great to call up the offices and see if any of these folks will help us.
If we can get more info on this, we really might want to step up the lobbying in earnest. I'd go to D.C. for this.
Last edited by divemistressofthedark; Nov 4, 10 at 12:12 am
Nov 4, 10, 5:43 am
#44
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,044
Done.
Congressman Guthrie:
First, congratulations on the success in the recent election. I know you have a lot of work to do.
I understand that you are a co-sponsor of the Aircraft Passenger Whole Body Imaging Limitation Act. I travel a lot with my work and I am greatly concerned about the current security process at the airport.
The TSA is conducting intimate searches or using virtual strip technology to view under the clothing of passengers. A strong undercurrent of resistance is building to this process, that many of us feel infringes unnecessarily on our right to be secure in our persons and property.
It is a ripe political issue as well. It offends those of us that are supporters of the founders intentions. It offends the liberals that are diligent in protecting civil rights. And regular travelers getting their genital probed just to engage in travel is ridiculous. Some of the technology may even increase x-ray exposure and they are forcing babies and sensitive people to just accept this out of hand. The TSA has become an equal-opportunity offender.
I believe this an opportunity to show that congress has the ability to bring a rouge agency to task.
Please continue to work to pass restrictions on the use of this technology. The millions of us that travel every week will notice and we will thank you.
INK
(In your district)
First, congratulations on the success in the recent election. I know you have a lot of work to do.
I understand that you are a co-sponsor of the Aircraft Passenger Whole Body Imaging Limitation Act. I travel a lot with my work and I am greatly concerned about the current security process at the airport.
The TSA is conducting intimate searches or using virtual strip technology to view under the clothing of passengers. A strong undercurrent of resistance is building to this process, that many of us feel infringes unnecessarily on our right to be secure in our persons and property.
It is a ripe political issue as well. It offends those of us that are supporters of the founders intentions. It offends the liberals that are diligent in protecting civil rights. And regular travelers getting their genital probed just to engage in travel is ridiculous. Some of the technology may even increase x-ray exposure and they are forcing babies and sensitive people to just accept this out of hand. The TSA has become an equal-opportunity offender.
I believe this an opportunity to show that congress has the ability to bring a rouge agency to task.
Please continue to work to pass restrictions on the use of this technology. The millions of us that travel every week will notice and we will thank you.
INK
(In your district)
Last edited by InkUnderNails; Nov 4, 10 at 6:44 am Reason: Posted text
Nov 4, 10, 10:59 am
#45
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Nashville, TN - BNA
Programs: Hilton Gold, WN RR
Posts: 1,818
EXCELLENT. I wonder if you got a minute, you could call up Guthrie's office and ask to speak to his aide for transportation affairs? This would be the person who'd be up on whatever's happening. (I know the phone may be an issue for you...maybe your wife would help out? Don't mean to be nosy but I also know you are as adamant an anti-WBIer as anyone, and I doubt we have many people in the original bill cosponsors' districts.)
I started another thread earlier today about the Aircraft Passenger WBI Limitations Act (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...l#post15074241) and another FTer informed me the Senate bill unfortunately expired at the end of September. So we're back at square one, but the good news is that there were 21 members of Congress who signed on to the original House bill sponsored by Jason Chaffetz of Salt Lake City....and the bill passed the full House by an overwhelming majority. More in the Congress thread.
Here are the other original 21 cosponsors, again:
Rep. Michele Bachmann [R, MN-6]
Rep. Roscoe Bartlett [R, MD-6]
Rep. John Campbell [R, CA-48]
Rep. John Carter [R, TX-31]
Rep. Michael Conaway [R, TX-11]
Rep. Jeff Flake [R, AZ-6]
Rep. Louis Gohmert [R, TX-1]
Rep. Raul Grijalva [D, AZ-7]
Rep. Brett Guthrie [R, KY-2]
Rep. Walter Jones [R, NC-3]
Rep. Steve King [R, IA-5]
Rep. Doug Lamborn [R, CO-5]
Rep. Cynthia Lummis [R, WY-0]
Rep. Tom McClintock [R, CA-4]
Rep. Ronald Paul [R, TX-14]
Rep. Mike Pence [R, IN-6]
Rep. Aaron Schock [R, IL-18]
Rep. Carol Shea-Porter [D, NH-1]
Rep. Lamar Smith [R, TX-21]
Rep. Lee Terry [R, NE-2]
Rep. Addison Wilson [R, SC-2]
If you live in one of these districts you definitely should thank your Member for prior opposition to the WBIs, along with a little encouragement to introduce something for FY 2010-2011.
Looks like the two real agitators against the NoS, tho, are Chaffetz and Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston; if you're in either of those districts you may want to send along a little extra with your letter, like a bottle of champagne
Update: More on this in the Congress thread. We should definitely be sure these two threads are accurate, as they are currently popping up as the first hits on Google for searches like "body scanner congress letter."
I started another thread earlier today about the Aircraft Passenger WBI Limitations Act (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...l#post15074241) and another FTer informed me the Senate bill unfortunately expired at the end of September. So we're back at square one, but the good news is that there were 21 members of Congress who signed on to the original House bill sponsored by Jason Chaffetz of Salt Lake City....and the bill passed the full House by an overwhelming majority. More in the Congress thread.
Here are the other original 21 cosponsors, again:
Rep. Michele Bachmann [R, MN-6]
Rep. Roscoe Bartlett [R, MD-6]
Rep. John Campbell [R, CA-48]
Rep. John Carter [R, TX-31]
Rep. Michael Conaway [R, TX-11]
Rep. Jeff Flake [R, AZ-6]
Rep. Louis Gohmert [R, TX-1]
Rep. Raul Grijalva [D, AZ-7]
Rep. Brett Guthrie [R, KY-2]
Rep. Walter Jones [R, NC-3]
Rep. Steve King [R, IA-5]
Rep. Doug Lamborn [R, CO-5]
Rep. Cynthia Lummis [R, WY-0]
Rep. Tom McClintock [R, CA-4]
Rep. Ronald Paul [R, TX-14]
Rep. Mike Pence [R, IN-6]
Rep. Aaron Schock [R, IL-18]
Rep. Carol Shea-Porter [D, NH-1]
Rep. Lamar Smith [R, TX-21]
Rep. Lee Terry [R, NE-2]
Rep. Addison Wilson [R, SC-2]
If you live in one of these districts you definitely should thank your Member for prior opposition to the WBIs, along with a little encouragement to introduce something for FY 2010-2011.
Looks like the two real agitators against the NoS, tho, are Chaffetz and Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston; if you're in either of those districts you may want to send along a little extra with your letter, like a bottle of champagne
Update: More on this in the Congress thread. We should definitely be sure these two threads are accurate, as they are currently popping up as the first hits on Google for searches like "body scanner congress letter."
Last edited by divemistressofthedark; Nov 4, 10 at 12:49 pm
