# Anything To Increase SECURITY: Electronic Strip Searches should be mandatory **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 26, 2005, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567 "2005-05-26T06:12:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2005, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/81 "2005-06-01T20:54:41Z")
What would happen if I cut block letters out of aluminum foil and glued the message “SURVEIL THIS” across my bum? ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2005, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/82 "2005-06-01T20:55:10Z")
> [@SHAKES](#): > > I’d sooner get off to a National Geographic than the pic shown in the link. > > I’d say some of you folks are pretty damned up-tight. > > Are y’all the same ones that bitch when something _does_ happen, then you guys cry “Foul! where’s our goverment that’s supposed to protect us?” _whaa, whaa, whaaa!_ I hope that you don’t mind me pointing out the obvious, but I hardly think that it is unreasonable for someone to want to be able to fly on an airplane without strangers seeing them naked. I also don’t think that it is unreasonable to want to control the access that strangers have to naked images of your underage children. Personally, I am rather fond of choosing who sees me naked, as well as when and where. Honestly, the most shocking thing about this is how blasé folks are being. Incredible. As far as crying “foul” when something does happen, I guess that my answer to that would be that this is a 100% false question. I would further say that I would like to see a whole lot more foreign policy that does not sees to have been crafted to make other cultures hate us, and a whole lot less of this kind of nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2005, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/83 "2005-06-01T20:57:04Z")
> [@spooje](#): > > So are screeners cretins because they work in security, or because they are low paid? No one knows why they are cretins but, as anyone that has traveled with any frequency whatsoever can attest, it is an undisputable fact that they are cretins. Nice try at the class warfare hijack, though ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2005, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/84 "2005-06-01T21:01:12Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Low paid airport security cretins I thought about this. What the fuck? So what if they’re low paid. Can low paid people possess professionalism? We had a janitor that got paid diddly squat compared to most of the folks around here, but he did a damned good job and kept our facility looking great. Why are they ‘cretins’? Do you have any evidence that they are hiring more sexual predators than other jobs? Christ, most of those people are just trying to do their job and you’ve got to denigrate them. Way to be a bigot. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2005, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/85 "2005-06-01T21:16:46Z")
Boy, people sure salivate at the merest faint possibility to call someone a bigot. It seems clear to me he meant that the ones ogling are cretins, not that everybody who has the job is a cretin. ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2005, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/86 "2005-06-01T21:20:16Z")
Can we just take the chiding for the implied cultural insensitivity in posting that every single low paid human being on the face of the earth is a cretin as read and go back to the issue at hand. This feels like an intentional hijack that people are falling for. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2005, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/87 "2005-06-01T22:11:13Z")
> [@Binarydrone](#): > > Can we just take the chiding for the implied cultural insensitivity in posting that every single low paid human being on the face of the earth is a cretin as read and go back to the issue at hand. This feels like an intentional hijack that people are falling for. No shit it is. Anyways, as far as the ‘wherefore the outcry?’ people are asking about…well, it’s all about the slow boil, isn’t it? Remember when the Patriot Act was only for terrorists? They sounded so _honest_ when they said that! -Joe, waiting for [www.OlsenTwinBackscatter.com](http://www.OlsenTwinBackscatter.com) to be registered ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/88 "2005-06-02T01:14:15Z")
> [@Reeder](#): > > You can use your imagination… > [http://www.freedomisslavery.info/images/backscatter.jpg](http://www.freedomisslavery.info/images/backscatter.jpg) Heh heh I initially had more of a mental image of walking skeletons, like in Total Recall. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/89 "2005-06-02T03:54:31Z")
> [@Binarydrone](#): > > No one knows why they are cretins but, as anyone that has traveled with any frequency whatsoever can attest, it is an undisputable fact that they are cretins. > > Nice try at the class warfare hijack, though I have several friends who work security at airports. They are not cretins. And I do not like the insult. ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/90 "2005-06-02T15:44:36Z")
> [@spooje](#): > > I have several friends who work security at airports. They are not cretins. And I do not like the insult. So open your own Pit thread or, I don’t know, contribute something on topic to this one. I know that I, for one, and waiting with baited breath to hear your thoughts on the actual topic being discussed ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/91 "2005-06-02T15:58:30Z")
> [@Binarydrone](#): > > I hope that you don’t mind me pointing out the obvious, but I hardly think that it is unreasonable for someone to want to be able to fly on an airplane without strangers seeing them naked. I also don’t think that it is unreasonable to want to control the access that strangers have to naked images of your underage children. Personally, I am rather fond of choosing who sees me naked, as well as when and where. And people that are so concerned can charter their own flight and skip the security hassel all together. ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/92 "2005-06-02T16:04:40Z")
That is a steaming load of crap. I shouldn’t have to be rich to have some shred of dignity and privacy when I fly. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/93 "2005-06-02T19:23:55Z")
> [@Binarydrone](#): > > So open your own Pit thread or, I don’t know, contribute something on topic to this one. I know that I, for one, and waiting with baited breath to hear your thoughts on the actual topic being discussed Here goes. The OP is full of shit. > [@](#): > > Swell. How detailed is the image? Privacy advocate and tech consultant Bill Scannel sez, “It shows nipples. It shows the clear outline of genitals.” Did you look at the detailed image? It looks like a department store mannequin. So you are worried that low paid cretins are gonna get their jollies looking at the OUTLINE of your genitals??? Grow up. ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/94 "2005-06-02T19:30:38Z")
Yeah, besides, only the people with something to hide should be worried. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/95 "2005-06-02T20:11:32Z")
I personally don’t like the “only people with something to hide” argument. it is often used as an excuse to pry for no valid reason. It is not for us to justify why we shouldn’t be surveiled, scanned, wiretapped, etc. It is for the government to make a case and prove there is a real and justifiable need. “Nothing to hide” means presumption of guilt. It is offensive. ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/96 "2005-06-02T20:16:07Z")
SteveG1, I really hope that it was clear that I was being sarcastic. I 100% agree with you here. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/97 "2005-06-02T20:54:56Z")
> [@spooje](#): > > Did you look at the detailed image? It looks like a department store mannequin. I believe the “detailed image” that’s been going around was altered to remove more… detailed characteristics, to avoid accidentally offending unaware news-readers across the nation. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2005, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/98 "2005-06-02T21:12:04Z")
> [@Binarydrone](#): > > SteveG1, I really hope that it was clear that I was being sarcastic. I 100% agree with you here. Absolutely, I caught the sarcasm. U.S. Constitution, Amendment IV: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Any search should have a concrete and specific reason or probable cause and must be justified beforehand. The “nothing to hide” argument as it is used to allow random or blanket unauthorized searches without a warrant (backscatter scan IS a search) is itself a violation of the law. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2005, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/99 "2005-06-03T02:49:50Z")
> [@spooje](#): > > Here goes. The OP is full of shit. Thanks for the feedback! And enjoy your flight! > [@](#): > > Did you look at the detailed image? It looks like a department store mannequin. So you are worried that low paid cretins are gonna get their jollies looking at the OUTLINE of your genitals??? Um, here’s a consumer tip: Those photos on the boxes of your TV dinner? They don’t always resemble the contents with pinpoint accuracy. Seriously, I doubt whether they’re going to post a crystal-clear photo of somebody’s X-rayed genitals in the New York Times, even if the PR flacks provided them with one. Which they wouldn’t. > [@](#): > > Grow up. So you’re assuring us that this technology poses no threats to privacy, and doesn’t need to be regulated. I, for one, would prefer not to have pics of my genitals (or any child’s privates) posted on the internet without my permission (or their’s or anybody’s). But that’s just _my_ opinion. Oh and permit me a repost: > [@](#): > > **Originally pondered by M4M** > > I don’t necessarily want to rule out this technology. With the proper procedures and automatic pixelization of the head and other areas, judicious application of this technology might be acceptable. But I suspect that in the end expeditiousness would prevail. * * * Yeah, **Steve** , but the government isn’t forcing a search: they’re merely setting up a requirement for air travel. You can always walk away. Mind you, I think there are definite policy issues here. I just doubt whether the constitutional ones are open and shut. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2005, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567/100 "2005-06-03T03:11:03Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Metallic MESH underwear? You wimp. > > Go plate. I think Hanes is planning on unveiling their “codpiece” line of briefs any day now. Seriously, it’s not just about being seen naked. Think of the invasion of privacy for people. A woman who’s had a masectomy. The man with the colostomy bag. Not to mention transgendered individuals. As for “well, just don’t fly,” fuck that shit. I shouldn’t have to expose myself to travel. And for people who travel as part of their job, they really don’t have a choice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-to-increase-security-electronic-strip-searches-should-be-mandatory/305567.md?page=6)