National Opt-Out Day

The backlash against the TSA's naked body scanners is growing, and one group is suggesting that travelers stage their own protest against the procedures by tying the TSA in knots on one of the busiest travel days of the year:

Wednesday, November 24, 2010 is NATIONAL OPT-OUT DAY!

It's the day ordinary citizens stand up for their rights, stand up for liberty, and protest the federal government's desire to virtually strip us naked or submit to an "enhanced pat down" that touches people's breasts and genitals. You should never have to explain to your children, "Remember that no stranger can touch or see your private area, unless it's a government employee, then it's OK."

The goal of National Opt Out Day is to send a message to our lawmakers that we demand change. No naked body scanners, no government-approved groping. We have a right to privacy and buying a plane ticket should not mean that we're guilty until proven innocent. This day is needed because many people do not understand what they consent to when choosing to fly.

Here are the details:

Who?
You, your family and friends traveling by air on Wednesday, November 24, 2010.

What?
National Opt-Out Day. While the government doesn't always like to advertise this, you have the ability to opt-out of the naked body scanner machines (AIT, or Advance Imaging Technology, as the government calls it). All you have to do is say "I opt out" when they tell you to go through one of the machines. You will then be given a pat down.

Where?
At an airport near you!

When?
Wednesday, November 24, 2010. That's right: November 24 - one of the busiest travel days of the year! We want families to sit around the dinner table, eating turkey, talking about how a government employee molested them at the airport. We hope the outrageous experience then propels people to write their Member of Congress and the airlines to demand change.

Why?
We are sick of "security theater." These naked body scanners do not make us a more secure nation. In fact, the scanners, which use radiation, may not even be safe for our long-term health. The government should not have the ability to virtually strip search anyone it wants. Why should a government employee get to see a naked scan of a passenger, and do who knows what in the back room while viewing that image? We have already heard stories of TSA officials laughing at small genitals and making certain women go through the machines or taking off extra clothes, reducing them to tears. This is absolutely sick behavior. If you don't like it and don't want to be virtually strip searched, then too bad says the government. To try and make everyone comply with the naked body scanners, the government has made the alternative worse! With their enhanced pat downs, TSA now touches the genitals and private areas of men, women and children with the front of the hand! We do not believe the government has a right to see you naked or feel you up just because you bought an airline ticket. There are better, less invasive security measures that can be taken.

How?
By saying "I opt out" when told to go through the bodying imaging machines and submitting to a pat down. Also, be sure to have your pat down by TSA in full public - do not go to the back room when asked. Every citizen must see for themselves how the government treats law-abiding citizens.

If enough law-abiding citizens stand up and demand to be treated as "innocent until proven guilty", the TSA will back down or else be faced with airport snarls nationwide.

Of course, allowing yourself to be groped by someone who is essentially a janitor with a badge is not a great alternative, but at some point enough citizen action will return some sanity to air travel.