About To Blow It On Scanners...

I share Stephen Harper's view that I'd rather not be blown out of the sky on my next flight. But in the rush to put the finger into the hole in the dike, Canada, the United States and other countries have not taken the time to think things through.

Hence the rush to purchase and install scanners in airports. I think Time Magazine hit the nail on the head when it reported the following:

"MILLIMETER-WAVE SCANNER
This uses radio waves to generate a detailed image, which has raised some privacy concerns. The TSA has 40 of these machines stationed at 19 airports, mostly reserved for passengers warranting extra security. It plans to field nearly 900 by 2014. Would it have detected the explosives on Flight 253? Probably"

Probably? Probably! Simply not good enough. On to the next option:

"BACKSCATTER X-RAY
This emits low-intensity beams that highlight organic compounds like explosives and drugs. The TSA has ordered 150 of these machines. Privacy concerns could be addressed by placing the security officers reviewing the images in a room away from the scanner.Would it have detected the explosives on Flight 253? Yes"

Hello! Enough said.