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Have you ever been in an elevator in a hurry? You are hoping that elevator doesn't stop again before you get to the ground level or your destination. If the doors do open, then your eyes go directly to the "Close" button to your right. You clamor to press it so you can get on your way again. Makes you feel in control right? What if I was to tell you that the "Close" button on the elevator didn't actually do anything at all?
The fact is: the "Close" button on the elevator doesn't actual speed the closing of the doors at all--in fact, it is provided to give you the illusion that you are under control. Illusion vs. reality. It is an interesting concept.
"Security Theater"
Security theater is a term that describes security counter measures intended to provide the feeling of improved security while doing little or nothing to actually improve it. Whatever ideological camp you find yourself in during this dialogue, there are two important questions that we need to ask ourselves as responsible citizens. The second question is contingent on your conclusion to the first one:
1) Is the TSA engaging in "security theater" or real security that is helping keep us safe?
2) If it is security theater, then what do we do about it?
To be honest, a big part of me wants to just believe that the scanners and pat-downs are ultimately good for me and our security, but I cannot ignore the facts. As the video of the guy from "Mythbusters" shows, these new body scanners and enhanced pat-downs enacted by the TSA do little to protect us from a dangerous materials. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has already affirmed that the new full body or "naked" scanners would have likely not identified the PETN used in the underpants of Abdulmutallab. The Italian Government has already put the scanners into use only to remove them within months because they described them as "inefficient and ineffective." The fact is that there is no need to subject ourselves to be seen naked or groped in order to give the illusion of safety or of "security theater." Much like the illusion of control with the elevator.
We have devoted 2.4 billion and an increase in 5,000 TSA officials to the implementation of these full body scanners and pat downs. But, it seems that we are always fighting the last war with the TSA. There was a shoe-bomber, so now everyone has to take off their shoes. They tried to stuff explosives in ink cartridges, so now we can't bring ink cartridges over a certain size. We are reactive, rather than proactive. The fact is that terrorists are constantly trying to find a new way to penetrate, and the TSA is virtually powerless to stop it. I would rather devote the billions and new employees to focus solely on intelligence. Think about it: Abdulmutallab's father approached multiple agencies about the dangerous associations of his son and Abdulmutallab paid for his ticket in cash. Our intelligence agencies must connect these dots, not needlessly scan people's bodies.
These scanners clearly fail an honest cost-benefit analysis. So, what do you do?
What's your Solution?
Our nation is based on freedom and choice. Freedom of individuals to interact in a free market, possess private property, or raise your family defines our republic. So, why not our air travel? Or is it as many TSA officials and central planners have put it, "You give up many of your rights when you fly." Well, I do not want to accept that. Our two choices if you want to fly shouldn't be to be seen naked or to be groped. There should be a third option: to be profiled.
I understand that some people believe that "profiling" is un-American and not consistent with equal treatment under the law. That is fine, and I understand. This is a democracy, you can choose not be be profiled. Choose another option. But, I want to be profiled. I want all of my fellow passengers to know that I am just interested in getting from Point A to Point B, so check my nationality, ethnicity, religion, age, destination, prior travel experience, and so forth and ask me questions to see if it adds up. If I am not sincere, then subject me to more screening, but if I am inconsistent with a terror threat, then send me through the non-invasive metal detector and on my way. I am confident most if not just about all passengers would pick this route.
This would be easy to implement. When you come to the check-in screen to print your boarding pass, you should have 3 options on the screen: 1)Full Body Scan 2) Enhanced Pat-Down 3) Profile Me! Then, the boarding pass will print out a color coded verification that displays which of the three you want to experience during security checks. The TSA would then act accordingly.
Conclusion
This seems to me to be a sensible compromise to the policies that are in place. Although I would like to get rid of all of it, including most of what occurs under the Patriot Act, maybe this could get some traction. But, if we can't get rid of the scanners and pat downs like the Italians have already done, maybe we can just adopt another approach--just give us a third option.
