We are regarded as potential criminals and terrorists who've just not been caught yet.

Crazy thing is how many accept this mindset and accept utterly appalling stuff like this. The news will be running airport interviews with noble citizenry who awknowledge it is all inconvenient but we will be safer this way. At least until a terrorist gets creative again and the cycle repeats itself.

It has to be ultimately destructive of the social bonds when we are willing to accept being branded as suspicious and accept it for others as well.

I wonder what sort of radiation those machines give off. Can't be healthy for humans.

My first thought was what Jaye mentioned, that the radiation will be dreadful for anybody who travels a lot. I remember back when there were alarms about how bad frequent flights might be for the fetuses of pregnant stewardesses (something to do with radiation at that altitude?) but this would be far worse. The impact on growing kids? Pregnant women? Frequent young business travellers who have not yet started their families...

This is the aptly named Terra-Hertz radiation device; T-rays, not X-rays.

I have a metal knee, 4 metal pins in my upper right arm, and two in my right ankle, plus permanent internal staples in an abdominal incision. That should prove to be fun.

I once set off the metal detector at the National Archives in DC. Alarms loud enough to wake the dead went off, and in less than a blink of the eye, I was looking at a huge gun pointed directly between my eyes. I did the best thing I knew to do, burst into uncontrollable tears, so that before it was all over, 2 very good looking security types were patting me on the back and comforting me in my "moment of trauma." I was sobbing and mumbling incoherently something about all I was wanting to do was check a microfilmed passenger list from the 1800s ::gasp:: ::sob::

Gerard: How's that $7 Walmart jacket holding up?

The jacket is actually getting better and better. Saw one a lot like it made by Eddie Bauer yesterday. On sale at $119.00 marked down from $149.00.

It seems pretty simple to me, anybody hailing from a muslim country, or one with a significant muslim presence, should not be allowed to board a plane entering our country.

If you want to stop muslim terrorists attacks, stop allowing muslims entrance to our land. Pull up the welcome mat and expel every non-citizen muslim walking within our borders and curb immigration from those third world armpits that worship Mohamed.

The UK has lost their collective mind, shut their ass down too. They'll get a clue if we get serious about our own safety.

I am so done being PC on this issue.

The truth of the matter is, this is all a plot by a secret railroad cabal to destroy the airline industry and drive people back into traveling by train. Next will be a failed attempt to destroy an airliner by some schlub peeing into an explosive. as a result lavatories will be removed from passenger planes and passengers will be forced to urinate into bottles at their seat. Those needing to poop will be shit out of luck.

Well, the picture of the fat gentleman with the guns was so revealing I feel like I owe him a "Dear John" letter.

They cannot be serious in thinking the American citizenry would go along with this.

I'm with Daphne, scan the Muslims. They don't like it, they don't get in to the US or travel within the US via an airplane.

How's this for profiling, 98% of all terrorist acts are done by muslims.

And I'm really sick of rolling down my pant waist, being patted down, being wanded, and generally held suspect. Especially when I was with my two young daughters.

I just don't fly anymore. In fact, I've flown - twice - since 9/11. None of my letters, e-mails or phone calls seem to have made any particular impact on my congresspeople, so I have to resort to the only thing I have left, really - witholding money and approval from the system - going Galt as it were, on the airline transport system. And you can be sure I am not alone.

Unfortunately, I live in a predominantly Muslim country, and I have to fly for business fairly frequently. Not back to the States very often, but in the region. From piss-ant airports that can barely handle a 737, and whose "security staff" wouldn't have the slightest idea of how to even turn on a T-Ray machine, much less use it. I am so screwed.

If you Google image search her name, you can see what she looks like clad.

I will not comment further.

Here's what will happen:

These scanners will be installed, but -- after much protest from CAIR, Muslims will be exempted from being scanned because this violates their religion's rigid dictates on personal modesty.

I remember writing an e-mail to a friend shortly after 9/11, in which I predicted that rather than singling out Muslims for special scrutiny, the government would end up treating all Americans as potential terrorists. Heaven forbid we should practice discrimination, even when it's the only sane thing to do. I hate being prescient like that.

I don't fly either, but it has nothing to do with terrorism or the TSA. It's because of the anti-smoking regulations. You think I'm going to be cooped up in an aluminum tube for several hours without being able to smoke? Not bloody likely. I'd probably end up being arrested. I'd rather take a friggin' Greyhound bus. At least they have to stop for gas now and then.

They have those all over my hometown airport.

I always make sure I have a nice erection before I go through.

Fuck with me, I fuck with you....

I do not have a problem with scanning for potential explosives and weapons. I just have a problem with the people who are doing the scanning. It isn't like they are in the medical field and are trained to do this. Wouldn't be surprised if some of the scans end up on You-Tube.

It is not so much the "naked" thing that gets me but if the current bomber had a powder put on his leg and later tried to ignite it, how will that show up on this new x-ray machine. I still dont see how this makes us any safer!

Here's where I am.

I have to fly several times this winter. Out of Detroit.

I'd like to do the following:

Standing in line during check-in.

1. Take off my coat and shoes. Put them in the plastic tub.

2. Followed by my belt.

3. Followed by my jewelry.

4. Followed by my trousers,

5. Followed by my blouse.

I don't think I could strip naked, but by God - if my fellow-travelers were giving me enough encouragement, by applause or matching me item by item -

I think I could.

How could they arrest me for public indecency? Hell! They're the ones stripping me naked with this technology.