TSA Never Fails to Entertain

XJ-linux · Mar 9, 2012

Some hilarity on a Friday afternoon. Apparently, a guy posted online at a tech website how to fool the TSA porno scanners. The TSA then responded in a blog (the TSA has a blog?), and then Gizmodo got in on it. Links are below. The reader comments range from stupid, to interesting, to pretty darn funny. Not sure how effective the porno scanners are, but they certainly have been a great tool for training citizens to become OK with trading liberty for assurances (of security).

For those at the DHS that are monitoring... I in no way advocate breaching airport security.

According to the video posted on Youtube a couple of days ago, Rafi Sela, a man responsible for security at Ben Gurion airport in Israel - claimed to be one of the most security conscious airports in the world - would be able to easily bypass the scanners. Perhaps the most telling part of this realisation is that Ben Gurion has no plans to utilise the TSA's new detectors.

How To Get Anything Through The New TSA Body Scanners | ITProPortal.com

The TSA Blog: Viral Video About Body Scanners

The TSA Doesn't Deny That It's Really Easy to Fool TSA Naked Body Scanners

iggibar · Mar 9, 2012

I like how the TSA clearly didn't state that they have a problem in their blog statement. They never said anything about being able to bypass their scanners, and just noted what they have prevented from passing from past attempts. Sounds fishy to me.

Chris H. · Mar 11, 2012

You know...I haven't been on a plane in 15 years.

Now? I think I'll drive thank you.

Doug b · Mar 11, 2012

It's no secret that the TSA hasn't A CLUE about what security means. The measures they take, and the money wasted on these scanning/screening machines is obscene, but unfortunately...this is what it has taken to fool dumb people into believing or feeling like they're actually safe. Yes, the truth is, that the whole terrorist plot thing (whether perpetrated by our own government or not) has actually worked. "They" have won the war on terror.

Our rights have been stripped away, and we remain JUST as "safe" as we were before. Sorry but... there's nothing that is going to stop a smart and determined terrorist from comitting another heinous act ala 9/11. I don't even understand how people are fooled into thinking that TSA agents are anything but glorified mall cops, to be honest with you. They've all got the same **** poor attitude which you'd expect to find from a disgruntled, bitter counter person at a fast food restaurant.

Funny. I just watched the first posted link/youtube video. We pretty much said the same thing. He was spot on.

Doug

XJ-linux · Mar 11, 2012

The sad part, it's such a "success" they are expanding this mess to train stations, bus stations and elsewhere. Use to be the smart *** answer was "If you don't like it, don't fly." The trend would seem to be heading towards needing "Transit Papers" at some point to travel domestically interstate. And we still can't keep people from hopping the border...

McYukon · Mar 11, 2012

The truth is that exactly two things have made air travel safer since 9/11: reinforcing cockpit doors and convincing passengers they need to fight back. The TSA should continue to screen checked luggage. They should start screening airport workers. And then they should return airport security to pre-9/11 levels and let the rest of their budget be used for better purposes. Investigation and intelligence is how we're going to prevent terrorism, on airplanes and elsewhere. It's how we caught the liquid bombers. It's how we found the Yemeni printer-cartridge bombs. And it's our best chance at stopping the next serious plot.
Because if a group of well-planned and well-funded terrorist plotters makes it to the airport, the chance is pretty low that those blue-shirted crotch-groping water-bottle-confiscating TSA agents are going to catch them. The agents are trying to do a good job, but the deck is so stacked against them that their job is impossible. Airport security is the last line of defense, and it's not a very good one.
We have a job here, too, and it's to be indomitable in the face of terrorism. The goal of terrorism is to terrorize us: to make us afraid, and make our government do exactly what the TSA is doing. When we react out of fear, the terrorists succeed even when their plots fail. But if we carry on as before, the terrorists fail -- even when their plots succeed.

~ Why the TSA Can't Back Down

CrimsonRequiem · Mar 11, 2012

This is interesting. I noticed the images are only of the front and back of a individual. Why doesn't this also take the profile view of an individual? I think that would be more effective if they do plan on using this machine. >_>"

I don't like the idea of someone seeing my goods and for free no less.

McYukon · Mar 11, 2012

Don't give them any ideas Crimsion!
Next thing we know we're going to be radiated 4x… front, back, left, and right.