Airport Security, Part 2

Yesterday, I mentioned my views on profiling and body scans. A reader commented to me in person last night that, in Israel, although they have no difficulty with terrorists on their planes, they also lack certain civil liberties. This reader also believes that over time, the Israelis will be giving up more liberties in the name of protection. He is concerned that, if we were to adopt similar airport security measures here, we also would be giving up our liberties.

This morning, I woke to NPR, as I do every day. Some gentleman from the ACLU was concerned that full body scans would invade people's privacy. He thought that people who wore adult diapers or had colonostomy bags would be concerned because that information would be revealed.

Again, I hear some valid concerns. We are used to our freedoms. In fact, this country was founded on the principles of freedom and liberty. People have moved here for centuries in search of freedom from oppression and liberty to live the best life they can. I think there is a lack of balance though. Although we have the right to freedoms and liberties, when we start being more concerned over a few people's liberty than the general population's safety, I think we need to rethink our rights and our safety. I am not suggesting that we give up our rights, just bring things into balance. For instance, the number of people wearing adult diapers is relatively low compared to the number of people who fly overall. Is there a way these people can be guaranteed their privacy without potentially harming the other passengers on a plane?

Overall, my original point was that we need to be focusing on certain types of people, not certain products. I think we should start getting smart about security. Let's start looking for the people who fit the profile of a terrorist. Let's start paying attention to the people standing with us in the airport. The young man who tried to blow up the flight to Detroit had no luggage, either checked or carried on. Shouldn't that immediately raise a red flag in someone's mind? Who goes to Detroit in December without a coat? Who travels without at least a toothbrush and clean underwear? Why didn't someone get concerned over these two obvious red flags?

We are so concerned over people's rights, freedoms and liberties, not insulting people, and not causing trouble that we are inviting trouble. We need to start using our brains in a common sense way, paying attention to what is going on around us, and balancing freedom and security. Or else what might happen is that we end up giving up all our rights, freedoms and liberties to be able to fly because that is the only plan left.