Invasion of the Body Scanners, Really? Kari Blalack (Revolt
against TSA, 2010)
Slide 3
A Quick Overview: How do they work? Backscatter X-ray This type
uses low level x-rays to create the image (Tessler, 2009).
Millimeter Wave This type uses radio waves that bounce off your
body to create the image, kind of like a bat using echoes (Tessler,
2009).
Slide 4
The Major Concerns Health Risks Why the Nakedness! Our Rights/
Privacy Children?
Slide 5
Will it Harm Me? Many have brought up the concern of radiation.
Only Backscatter X-ray scanners emit radiation and this is very
mild. A scan will expose you to about 2 to 4 minutes of flight time
(Chesen, 2011). So, just pretend that your flight is four minutes
longer than normal.
Slide 6
Oh, No! Im Naked! A concern is that body scans appear naked.
Body scanners strip down the human form to such a level only in
order to detect metallic and non- metallic hidden items (Drescher,
2010). Because of this they can detect most plastic explosions that
metal detectors cannot (Debate: Full-body Scanners at Airports,
2011). (Body Scanner in Canada, 2010)
Slide 7
Wheres My Privacy? I Have Rights! Body scanners are not meant
to invade your privacy but to protect your country. Whats more
important, 15 seconds of embarrassment or the possibility of never
landing (Tessler, 2009)? Airports take your privacy seriously, this
is why the people scanning you are not the ones viewing your scan.
Your scan goes to another room for viewing and is not saved in any
systems. Once your through its gone. Your face is never connected
with it. (Debate: Full-body Scanners at Airports, 2011) If you dont
like it then feel free to opt out for the person on person pat
down.
Slide 8
Why Children? Children are scanned because terrorist do not
have age limits. Some may view the scans as child pornography, but
we do not have an issue with law enforcement and the justice system
possessing such images so why do we feel differently about the
airports trying to ensure safety (Chesen, 2011)? (Healthy Child
Care Washington, 2011)
Slide 9
The Ethical Theories Utilitarian Kantianism Slipery Slope
Slide 10
Utilitarian Connection Ethical choices produces the greatest
good and the least harm. Focus on consequences of actions.
-Bentham, Mill (Dziadek, 2011) Being objected to the use of a body
scanner may be a personal harm but when viewed against the risk to
society as a whole, if this action is not taken, the ultimate good
of one day preserving human life out weighs the rest.
Slide 11
Kantian Connection Human rights are interests and activities
which we must respect and protect as a civilization. Every person
has the fundamental right to be treated as free and equal rational
agent. -Kant (Dziadek, 2011) The amazing thing about body scanners
are that they are literally blind to race. This means that through
them, and unlike in pat downs, we can put a stop to racial
profiling. Everyone is equal to a scanner. (Debate: Full-body
Scanners at Airports, 2011)
Slide 12
Slippery Slope Connection An argument of many is that by giving
up and exception body scanners we are heading down a slope to a
technical society where the government has total control. This is a
slippery slope argument that cannot be proven. This same view was
expressed about the Patriot Act, but hey we are still free.
(Sencerz, 2011)
Slide 13
Works Cited Body Scanner in Canada. Photograph. Canada. TSA
Pictures. By Admin. TSA Pictures, 9 Nov. 2010. Web. 26 Apr. 2011..
Chesen, Jeff. "Full-Body Scanners: How TSA Made a Mess of the
Message." NCSTL. Stetson University College of Law, Apr. 2011. Web.
19 Apr. 2011.. "Debate: Full-body Scanners at Airports."
Debatepedia. International Debate Education Association, 15 Mar.
2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2011.. "Ethical Systems." Philosophy Recitation
for Liberal Arts. Ed. Felicia Dziadek. Wiki, Mar. 2011. Web. 20
Apr. 2011.. "Full-Body Scanners 101: How Naked Is Full-Body Scan
Naked?" Jaunted. Ed. Cynthia Drescher. Concierge, 6 Jan. 2010. Web.
23 Apr. 2011..
Slide 14
Works Cited Cont. Photograph. Washington. Healthy Child Care
Washington. Washington State Child Care Resource and Referral
Network, 12 Jan. 2011. Web. 26 Apr. 2011.. Revolt against TSA -
Body Scanner Security Systems. Photograph. Toptodaynews.com. Top
Today News 2011, 13 Nov. 2010. Web. 24 Apr. 2011.. Sencerz, Stefan.
"What Is Morality?" Lecture. Foundations of Professional Ethics.
US, Corpus Christi. 17 Jan. 2011. Philosophy. Texas A&M
University Corpus Christi, 17 Jan. 2011. Web. 23 Apr. 2011..
Tessler, Joelle. "Airport Full-body Scanners Have Benefits, and
Limits - The Denver Post." Colorado Breaking News, Sports, Weather,
Traffic - The Denver Post. Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2009. Web. 24 Apr.
2011..