American travelers are a bit verklempt over the see-more body scanners.
Sorry, folks. The current invasion of privacy rights is nothing new. Only this time around, it's happening to you and your loved ones.
As we found with Senator Orrin Hatch and the TrackerPal ankle bracelet contract--prior to everyone embracing the ability to be tracked through a cell phone GPS or OnStar in the car--a political contract (or at the very least, major lobbying) lies fast at work in our world.
The scanners prove no different.
(...)If you've seen one of these scanners at an airport, there's a good chance it was made by L-3 Communications, a major contractor with the Department of Homeland Security. L-3 employs three different lobbying firms including Park Strategies, where former Sen. Al D'Amato, R-N.Y., plumps on the company's behalf. Back in 1989, President George H.W. Bush appointed D'Amato to the President's Commission on Aviation Security and Terrorism following the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. Also on Park's L-3 account is former Appropriations staffer Kraig Siracuse.
The scanner contract, issued four days after the Christmas Day bomb attempt last year, is worth $165 million to L-3.
Rapiscan got the other naked-scanner contract from the TSA, worth $173 million. Rapiscan's lobbyists include Susan Carr, a former senior legislative aide to Rep. David Price, D-N.C., chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee. When Defense Daily reported on Price's appropriations bill last winter, the publication noted "Price likes the budget for its emphasis on filling gaps in aviation security, in particular the whole body imaging systems."
An early TSA contractor for full-body scanners was the American Science and Engineering company. AS&E's lobbying team is impressive, including Tom Blank, a former deputy administrator for the TSA. Fellow AS&E lobbyist Chad Wolf was an assistant administrator at TSA and an aide to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who sits on the Transportation and Defense subcommittees of Appropriations. Finally, Democratic former Rep. Bud Cramer is also an AS&E lobbyist -- he sat on the Defense and Transportation subcommittees of the Appropriations Committee.
Always follow the money.
3 comments:
I'm sure I mentioned the HUGE 3l blding in front of the veteran's memorial here by westshore/I275 in tampa otherwise known as scam corner... w/ a ton of pricey, empty condos built nearby. Lots os scum working there (true) as well, one was arrested for multiple dui collisions in same day after he had done some heinous things to his wife. I am in the habit of checking some of these arrest reports when they 'ring a bell'. you know? and many go back to 3L. Scary scary people without accountability. Now they're talking of getting rid of TSA (GOP) which would mean NO ACCOUNTABILITY. NONE. And then pilots and sikhs will be left out of screening? REALLY?? There's the curative lawsuit. Pretty soon (if no lawsuits on behalf of regular US) they'll be dragging people away. I haven't flown. I would strip down on approach and be arrested no doubt. LOL.
Next time I fly, I'm planning a pole dance for TSA.
Ha!
LOL !!! At each stop.
**ATTENTION**
Passengers: conveniently located just adjacent to that big, awesome machine you bought us, which blows air into openings you forgot you had please note the other option:
You may step to your left and everyone can enjoy your nude cameo (good ones I take home on my mephone)
OR you may "opt out" and step to your left in the much shorter line and bend and cough while we run our hands across your fun parts.
AND, for your flying pleasure and convenience you may now remain where you are and suzie will bring the portable stripper pole around ...
Just let us all have a good look.
For the chirrun.
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