H.R. 6416 – The American Traveler Dignity Act

[rowyn]

Representative Ron Paul introduced a bill to stop the new screening procedures, and in fact to roll some of the existing ones back. The bill is amusing:

H.R. 6416 – The American Traveler Dignity Act
A BILL
To ensure that certain Federal employees cannot hide behind immunity.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. NO IMMUNITY FOR CERTAIN AIRPORT SCREENING METHODS.
No law of the United States shall be construed to confer any immunity for a Federal employee or agency or any individual or entity that receives Federal funds, who subjects an individual to any physical contact (including contact with any clothing the individual is wearing), x-rays, or millimeter waves, or aids in the creation of or views a representation of any part of a individual’s body covered by clothing as a condition for such individual to be in an airport or to fly in an aircraft. The preceding sentence shall apply even if the individual or the individual’s parent, guardian, or any other individual gives consent.

That's the whole thing. It's a very Ron Paul bill, not just in that it's short, but in the way he goes about it: which is to point out that the screening procedures are not things that an ordinary citizen can legally compel another citizen to submit to, so all he has to do is say "the law applies to TSA agents too" and hey, we're done.

Unfortunately, Dr. Ron Paul is regarded as rather a wingnut in Congress, so I don't know how much of a shot the bill has. And it doesn't do anything about the other stupid crap the TSA is doing (like "no liquids"). But at least it's a start.

Also, it's short. It's rather charming. Reminds me of the Constitution.

Comments

[rowyn]

The TSA was created by an act of Congress; I would certainly like Congress to revisit their mandate. Or the courts to; honestly, the whole thing seems to violate "unreasonable search and seizure", and claiming "well, you don't *have* to fly" is specious in this age.

[jordangreywolf.livejournal.com]

At my workplace today, some folks were discussing this, and someone actually brought up that business about, "Well, it's not like you HAVE to fly. You could always take a bus instead." And I did a double-take, since I thought this a very odd thing for one of my co-workers to say, given how often we're shuttled between the company offices. No, I DO have to fly.

The only reason I fly is because of work, and someone else tells me where I need to be and when, and makes the flight arrangements for me. This often happens with only a week's notice or so. It shoots holes in my reliability to do much of anything on weeknights, but that's the reality of my job. AmTrak or a bus trip aren't valid alternatives.

I am not concerned about some stranger seeing a ghostly representation of my nekkid body, except that I feel very sorry for anyone who has to do so. I am, however, concerned about the radiation exposure, as I've read some articles claiming that there could be risks from repeated exposure (frequent flier miles!), improper use, or even that the exposure is 10x what it's claimed to be.

I can't think of any polite way to explain exactly why the alternative security method available for those not going through the scanner strikes me as an unappealing option, given the new standards.

I guess I'll learn for sure just HOW disagreeable this is, on my next trip.

[rowyn]

It's as reasonable as saying "well, you don't HAVE to use the Internet" or "you don't HAVE to drive". Fine, yes, you could conceivably find employment that didn't require you to fly, but that's not exactly a reasonable thing to insist that you do if you want to avoid random searches and seizures by federal agents.

Blah.

Good luck on your next flight, wuf.

[schpydurx.livejournal.com]

Just a niggle here that caught my eye.

Instead of saying "the whole thing seems to..." claim the idea and turn the passive into active like this: "the whole thing does violate". Now you have a much stronger statement and it's the little psychological things like these that help turn the tide of public opinion.

//end niggle