Public Concern Over TSA Screening Grows

Public Concern Over TSA Screening Grows
A new poll by Zogby International demonstrates the increasing public concern about full-body scanners that use low-level X-rays and extremely invasive pat-downs. Members of Congress and the flying public are just starting to uncover the numerous problems with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano's decision to deploy these scanners without adequate public input.

Ralph Nader
November 23, 2010


An excerpt from the Zogby International news release follows:

Zogby Interactive: 61% Oppose Full Body Scans and TSA Pat Downs; 48% Will Seek Alternative to Flying Frequent Fliers: 59% Oppose Enhancements and 43% Will Seek Alternative to Flying

The implementation of full body scans and pat downs by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as part of security enhancements at our nation's airports will cause 48% of Americans and 42% of more frequent fliers to choose a different mode of transportation when possible, a recent Zogby International Poll finds. Overall, 61% of the 2,032 likely voters polled from Nov. 19 to Nov. 22, oppose the use of full body scans and TSA pat downs. Republicans (69%) and Independents (65%) oppose in greater numbers than Democrats (50%). Of those polled, 52% believe the enhanced security measures will not prevent terrorist activity, almost half (48%) say it is a violation of privacy rights, 33% say they should not have to go through enhanced security methods to get on an airplane, and 32% believe the full body scans and TSA pat downs to be sexual harassment. This is in line with frequent fliers (fly more than once every 3 months), as 53% say the enhanced measures will not prevent terrorist activity, 48% believe it's a violation of their privacy rights, 41% say they should not have to go through it to get on an airplane, and 35% believe it is sexual harassment.

The full text of the Zogby International news release is available at:
http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.cfm?ID=1925

A new cartoon by Matthew Marran appears at: http://www.buzzfeed.com/matthewm5/who-says-bureaucrats-are-out-of-touch-zgz