FROM A BLISTERING EMAIL ABOUT THE TSA AND THE FOURTH
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Dear Mr. Reinke:
Thank you for contacting me to express your concern regarding the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) use of whole-body imaging. Your opinion is very important to me, and I appreciate the opportunity to respond to you on this vital issue.
The failed Christmas Day 2009 bombing on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 brought renewed attention to airport security. One specific concern has been the possible increased implementation of whole-body imaging (WBI) technology to screen airline passengers. As you know, WBI is currently being used in major airports across the country to screen passengers, and in some cases it is being used in place of metal detectors. TSA is using this new technology to conduct full-body searches without physical contact between a TSA representative and a passenger, allowing screeners to detect prohibited items, such as weapons, explosives and other metallic and non-metallic threat items concealed under layers of clothing. However, there have been a number of legitimate concerns regarding health implications of WBI technology, as well as privacy concerns due to the details of the images.
You may be happy to know that the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 2200, the TSA Authorization Act, which included an amendment prohibiting TSA from utilizing whole-body imaging as the first-screening device at airports. Accordingly, TSA would only be allowed to use this technology for secondary searches of individuals who have already triggered primary metal detector alarms. Further, the amendment requires that screeners disclose that millimeter wave imaging could allow a TSA worker in a remote room to see through their clothes, and affords passengers the right to request a pat-down search in lieu of full-body imaging.
As your United States Senator, my top priority is protecting the safety of the American people. While it is essential that security officials have the necessary tools to screen and identify terrorists attempting to commandeer aircraft, it is also important to uphold the civil liberties of law-abiding citizens traveling through our skies. While the TSA Authorization Act has not yet been considered in the Senate, I will certainly keep your views in mind when considering this issue. Please rest assured that I will work hard to keep our nation safe and our individual freedoms intact when considering any legislation.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future about this or any other matter of concern. I invite you to visit my website (http://menendez.senate.gov) to learn of other important issues to New Jersey.
Senator Menendez
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Obviously, my email wasn’t read. THis is a canned response. You can hear them saying: “TSA crank; send him the T letter”! Argh!!!
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Reinke Faces Life 