From Mother Jones, The Airport Scanner Scam
"...Airport security has always been compromised by corporate interests. When it comes to high-tech screening methods, the TSA has a dismal record of enriching private corporations with failed technologies, and there are signs that the latest miracle device may just bring more of the same...Yet the rush toward full-body scans already seems unstoppable. They were mandated [as] part of the "enhanced" screening for travelers from selected countries...the "greater U.S. government shift toward using the high-tech devices could create a boom for makers of security imaging products, and it has already created a speculative spike in share prices in some companies....Which brings us to the money shot. The body scanner is sure to get a go-ahead because of the illustrious personages hawking them."
From SOTT, 'Naked scanners:' Lobbyists join the war on terror
"The degradations of passing through full-body scanners that provide naked pictures of you to Transportation Security Administration agents may not mean that the terrorists have won -- but they do mark victories for a few politically connected high-tech companies and their revolving-door lobbyists."Below is a partial list of former Washington politicians and staff members who are part of the "Full-Body SCAM" lobby:
For American Science & Engineering, Inc.:
Wexler & Walker, K Street Lobbying firm;
Tom Blank, former TSA deputy administration, who also worked under House Speaker Newt Gingrich;
Chad Wolf, former assistant administrator for policy at TSA, and a former aide to Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Tex. Hutchison is the top Senate appropriator and the ranking Republican on the transportation committee;
Bud Cramer, former Democratic Rep. and member of the Defense and Transportation subcommittees of the Appropriations Committee.
For Smiths Detection:
Van Scoyoc Associates Lobbying firm;
Kevin Patrick Kelly, former top staffer to Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md. Mikulski sits on the Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee;
Helen Delich Bentley, R-Md., former congresswoman.
For L3 Systems:
Al D’Amato, R-N.Y. Former Senator and member of the President's Commission on Aviation Security and Terrorism;
Kraig Siracuse, former Appropriations staffer.
For Rapiscan:
Michael Chertoff, former United States Secretary of Homeland Security under President George W. Bush and co-author of the USA PATRIOT Act;
Susan Carr, former senior legislative aide to Rep. David Price, D-N.C., chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee.
*SIGH*
Once again, politics as usual. It's enough to make me really, really REALLY CRANKY.
