Now the Government is X-Raying You While You Drive

[Better Believe It]

Weekend Edition
October 1 - 3 , 2010

Getting Some Rays
Now the Government is X-Raying You While You Drive
By DAVE LINDORFF

If you have been feeling uneasy about having to be X-rayed by a Transportation Security Administration goon who can look under your clothes every time you fly, consider this: at least you can say no, and agree to be subjected to an old-fashioned full-body search.

No opt-out for the latest in anti-terror technology though, with reports just out in Forbes Magazine and the Christian Science Monitor that the Homeland Security Department has purchased 500 mobil X-ray vans called ZBVs that can scan cars, trucks and homes without the drivers even knowing that they’re being zapped.

These vans, made by a Massachusetts company called American Science & Engineering, are fitted out with what are called Z Backscatter X-ray devices, which aim a focussed X-ray beam that reportedly has the capability of penetrating 14 inches of steel.

In theory, the device is supposed to be safe for human targets, because it is operated at a distance, and because the beam is weakened by penetrating the metal of a vehicle before it reaches a person. But the flaws in this kind of reassuring safety calculus are readily apparent in a photo of a small truck carrying contraband that accompanies the Christian Science Monitor story. The X-ray image, after penetrating the truck cab’s metal body, clearly shows the contraband behind the driver’s seat, but it also just as clearly shows the shadowy outline of the driver of the pickup. Worse yet, even his window is half-way down, so there is no shielding at all of the X-rays hitting his head.

Read the full article at:

http://www.counterpunch.org/lindorff10012010.html

[aquart]

1. So the brain tumor industry would be a good investment?

Because I can see it's really about to take off.

[dgibby]

2. While the argument is made by the PTB

that the "dose" is negliable, the elephant in the room is the accumulated dosage, and they never talk about that. If you feel like a lab rat, there's a good reason for that.

[AlabamaLibrul]

3. The elephant in the room, while your point is a good one, has to be the search without consent

of just about anyone that goes by these things.

[TheMadMonk]

7. Anywhere within 200 mi of coast or borders is subject to customs inspection.

That covers the vast majority of the population of the US, while on the roads (and possibly rail). However, thanks to a lawsuit involving thermal imaging, your house is legally protected, from anything which "looks" through walls, without a warrant.

[TheMadMonk]

10. The dose IS negligible. You'd have to be scanned thousands...

...of times a year to build up the equivalent of a single dental x-ray.

The article referenced in the OP is so chock full of false inferences, misinformation, misleading statements, fearmongering and outright lies that it ranks right up there with Bush's arguments for attacking Iraq.

[leftstreet]

4. What's the point of this? Other than wa$teful private contract$

Is the US Intel community so completely lame they're randomly pinging hoping for a bite?

It's bull$hit

[MineralMan]

5. No problem. A hat made of aluminum foil will shield you.

They solve almost all problems like this one.

[TheMadMonk]

8. Stop perpetuating that missinformation. It MUST be TIN foil. /nt

[MineralMan]

9. Shh....

Every post has its reason, you know...

If the government would only tell the public the truth about aluminum foil, we'd all be able to protect ourselves from star seed transmissions and other rilly, rilly bad things. :rofl:

[Better Believe It]

11. Oh. You made a funny about government spying! Ho. Ho. Ho.

Let them do whatever it takes to uncover subversive evil doers!

The government is stepping up its spying and surveillance of Americans in order to protect the Homeland from terriorists and comminists!

I don't have a problem with that.

The Constitution and Bill of Rights is just a piece of paper.

To be laughed at and about!

Isn't that right MineralMan?

[MineralMan]

12. Glad you appreciated my humorous post.

What do you suppose the likelihood is that any of us here on DU are going to get "scanned" by this thing? I'd guess the probability is much lower than the probability that I'll win the PowerBall jackpot this week.

I don't think they're looking for you and I, you know. I think they're more interested in smugglers, mad bombers, and folks like that, so they'll be focusing on areas where such things are likely, I'd expect. Borders, around shipping centers...that sort of thing. That's kinda one of the jobs that needs to be done, it seems to me.

As for the Constitution (the whole Constitution, including all the amendments), it's very important to me. It's not absolute, though, you see. There are all sorts of circumstances where privacy is violated that are pretty important. You may be able to think of some, if you think for a minute.

The cost of this hardware, alone, should be pretty good evidence that they're not going to be shining it on your car. That would be an utter waste of money and time. Think about it.

[Better Believe It]

13. Right. What a silly idea. Forgive me!

"The cost of this hardware, alone, should be pretty good evidence that they're not going to be shining it on your car. That would be an utter waste of money and time. Think about it."

OK.

I've thought about your point.

The idea that the government would "waste" money is just plain silly.

The Pentagon and Homeland Security never do that.

You're obviously right once again!

And suggesting that the government spies on anyone but "mad bombers" and "smugglers" is just plain foolish!

You're right again!

[MineralMan]

16. Sorry, but I just can't get into the whole Booga-Booga thing.

On the other hand, a small nuclear device loaded into a small van could really spoil a guy's day, I think. I wonder if that's the sort of thing they could be looking for. Ya think?

I'm sure they're not looking for that already-opened bottle of Chardonnay I'm taking over to my mother-in-law's house this evening. Or maybe the stack of campaign literature that has made the back seat of my car a no-man's land.

A desk-sized nuclear device, though...yah, I can see how they might want to find that. Or even a propane tank bomb, or something like that. I dunno. You carrying any of that stuff? If not, I'd relax and worry about something else for the time being.

Look! Up to your left! There's a camera watching you!

[Better Believe It]

14. Duplicate Deleted

Deleted

[Desertrose]

15. Seriously..there will still be people getting X-rayed unknowingly....

but because its not you its OK.

"As for the Constitution (the whole Constitution, including all the amendments), it's very important to me. It's not absolute, though, you see. There are all sorts of circumstances where privacy is violated that are pretty important. You may be able to think of some, if you think for a minute."

Again..as long as its not you , it'll be excusable.

sigh.

[MineralMan]

17. I was thinking more about you, Desertrose. I'm 65, so a small shot of

x-rays at this point isn't likely going to lead to any bad effects before I'm dead. Besides, I have to go to the dentist next week. I'll just get my x-ray dose there.

Be careful out there...watch for surveillance cameras...they're everywhere.

[Desertrose]

19. Riiiight.....

sure you were.....

[Ezlivin]

6. That's government-run healthcare for you!

Next they'll have MRI machines on the street.

But it'll be the roadside prostate exams that will finally cause an outcry.

[Old Troop]

18. Will they notify me if my cancer is back?

[dbt]

20. Back to the front page with this...

as there's another post that needs to be unrecced and derailed. Your duty is clear.

:evilgrin: