Comment by flipbrad | Hacker News Reader

Comment by flipbrad | Hacker News Reader

Firstly, it's disgusting that some cretin with a TV screen gets to see these, only so that he can ask himself whether I am a wrongdoer (and whatever other inappropriate question floats through his brain) Secondly, it's not in my best interest, it's part of daft security theatre. It is not done in a situation where I need treatment and reassurance that I am being cared for, it is done in a situation where leaders think it to be reassuring to others. Thirdly, it's vastly disproportionate protection against any legitimate threat. As a corollary, showing my doctor something that is definitely wrong with me is quite, quite different to speculative imaging. The question (what is that rash?) exists and is real, and this is an efficient way to progress with it. My future children or wife cannot subject themselves to the TSA only when the threat is there and present (i.e, them). Fourthly, when visiting my doctor he/she and I have other diagnostic options than either full body nude photography or groping. He can, for example, ask me questions. Lastly, there's a huge risk that the very private information will be shared: after all, you don't have a close professional relationship with the agent, who has a particularly boring job (not like the diverse and busy role of a doctor) faced with constant possibilities for jokes scanning past his eyes. To err is human; but it happens more in dull situations.

Cretin? Why, would you be ok if a suave gentleman was looking at you naked?

Somebody else in this thread called them high-school drop-outs without getting called on it. This is just ad hominem. Why are we insulting these people? They aren't the ones who passed the law, bought the machines, put these processes in motion. Let's not weaken our argument with distracting crap.

But they do tow the party line and seem to agree with its practices and regulations.

I think most of us would stand up against our employers when asked to do something that we felt was wrong. If your boss said that it was the new regulation that you had to do something immoral, questionable or just downright wrong... would you? I personally take it upon myself to find a new job when placed in that situation, or at least convince my superiors that what they are asking isn't right. I see such as my duty as an employee. I'm not there to follow, but to make things better.

1. Even if you think they're in the wrong, and you think their inaction is comparable in harm with the action of their superiors, calling them names is still useless/distracting ad hominem. (I suspect they aren't in the wrong, and I'm certain they don't bear nearly as much responsibility.)

2. On what basis do you see them agreeing with the 'party line'?

3. I don't know you, perhaps you are really serious about giving up your job when you see something wrong. That would be awesome, and I salute you as a better man than me. But on what basis do you make this claim for others? When I look around I see no evidence of any 'us' sacrificing for strangers, for the larger good.

4. I don't feel comfortable asking others en masse to make difficult decisions I've never had to make myself. A lot of these people make far less than you and me and are just struggling to get by, to provide for dependents. How entitled can you get to ask them to give up their jobs in this environment? What have you done to help yourself on this issue, that you demand they sacrifice a livelihood to help total strangers?

5. I think if you look around you'll find something wrong with your company worth leaving. Any company that isn't carbon neutral is doing far more harm than just seeing a few people naked. And no companies are carbon neutral today. So quit. I'll wait. Back? Next, you cause more damage everytime you burn oil in your automotive, or by throwing a light switch. What are you going to do about that?

> ... and whatever other inappropriate question floats through his brain

That gives me an idea: demanding that every TSA employee that views backscatter imagery or who does a pat down must first be castrated.

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