VALDOSTA —
The Transportation Security Administration announced last week that their virtual body scanners are being removed from airports by June.
The backscatter scanners have been hotly contested since their initial deployment, as they use x-rays to produce graphic images of travelers’ bodies, with critics dubbing them “virtual strip searches.”
More importantly, however, were the health risks associated with the scanners, as frequent flyers were facing numerous doses of radiation from the x-rays that were unncessary, intrusive, and potentially harmful.
Others noted that they didn’t appreciate being seen naked by TSA screeners. While the backscatter scanners are the ones being taken out of circulation, ones that use radio waves will still be used but only produce a generic outline of the body, not a full naked-like image.
Passengers concerned about the imagery or the x-rays were given one choice--pat downs by screeners, many of which became highly intrusive and caused numerous allegations of inappropriate touching and unnecessary searches of small children and the elderly.
The TSA is charged with protecting travelers and keeping them safe, and for the most part, screeners do an admirable job in the face of a thankless flying public. However, by and large, flyers don’t require such intrusive measures to keep the public safe.
Common sense and safety concerns should not be at odds, and TSA has made a step in the right direction by removing the graphic scanners from the nation’s airports.
What We Think
TSA removing scanners
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Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
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On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
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Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
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Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
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Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
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Happy Mother’s Day!
A few years ago, a television commercial asked, Who first believed in you? Many folks may have instinctively answered by simply saying, Mom.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To mail workers, volunteers and food bank staff for gathering food for the annual Stamp Out Hunger postal food drive today. A plastic bag designated for canned goods and other non-perishable food items should have arrived in your mailbox earlier this week. If you haven’t already, take a few moments to fill the bag with food and hang from your mailbox. If you didn’t receive the special Stamp Out Hunger bag, any plastic bag filled with food will do. This food drive helps feed thousands of South Georgians annually. Valdosta-Lowndes County often donates more food than nearly all other cities and counties in Georgia.
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Celebrating nurses
She is considered the founder of modern nursing so it seems only natural that National Nurses Week would include Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
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Helping the hungry: Mail it in!
Valdosta-Lowndes County continues revealing its generous spirit.
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Thoughts on graduation
