Topic: Z Backscatter

The TSA is removing RapiScan backscatter X-ray machines from airports after the company failed to develop privacy software that masks naked images. The contract has been shifted to L3 Communications. The hosts argue that the government lied about the ability to fix these machines and mention legal concerns regarding the scanning of minors, which they equate to the collection of prohibited imagery.

A "face slapping" beauty practitioner from Thailand charging $350 per session is featured in a news clip from ABC. The discussion then moves to the TSA's replacement of backscatter X-ray machines with millimeter-wave scanners. A CBS News segment is mocked for its "expert" Dr. Jennifer Ashton repeatedly referring to the technology as a "backscanner" while downplaying cancer risks.

A recent experience at LAX involves opting out of the TSA's backscatter X-ray scanners in favor of a physical pat-down. The process highlights inconsistencies in security protocols and the behavior of government workers. The refusal of high-ranking officials like Janet Napolitano to use the machines is cited as a reason for public skepticism.

A listener report details an experience at Oakland and Portland airports regarding TSA screening technologies. The account claims that while passengers could opt out of backscatter radiation machines, they were told they could not opt out of millimeter wave scanners. The hosts advise filing formal complaints with Congress, asserting that passengers legally maintain the right to opt out of all such screening devices.

The TSA is re-testing full-body x-ray scanners after admitting to "bookkeeping errors" regarding radiation levels. Reports suggest the actual radiation exposure could be ten times higher than previously claimed. Meanwhile, TSA agents are moving toward unionization, though they will lack collective bargaining rights.

AS&E Corporation has been awarded a contract to develop backscatter screening systems for general aviation aircraft. Meanwhile, health officials in Finland have confirmed a link between swine flu vaccinations and narcolepsy in children. The hosts criticize the World Health Organization for targeting young people for the vaccine and promote "Nap for Humanity" as a satirical response.

The safety of TSA full-body scanners is questioned following reports in the Seattle Times and New York Times regarding radiation exposure and equipment malfunctions. John C. Dvorak describes his experience at the Las Vegas airport, observing TSA agents standing in close proximity to active scanners for extended periods. The hosts express concern over the long-term health effects of "spurious radiation" on both passengers and security personnel.

The TSA is accused of executing a strategic PR campaign during Thanksgiving by speeding up security lines to avoid predicted protests. Adam Curry recounts his attempt to join a White House telephone press conference hosted by TSA Administrator John Pistole. Curry intended to ask about radiation testing standards and why agents are forbidden from wearing dosimeters, but he was disconnected shortly after identifying himself.

A CBS News report is scrutinized for comparing airport scanner radiation to everyday sources like drinking water and standing in Grand Central Terminal. The hosts dispute the claim that Johns Hopkins approved the machines, asserting the university only evaluated theoretical radiation levels rather than specific manufacturer hardware. They argue that comparing backscatter x-rays to cosmic radiation is a "Ministry of Truth" tactic to minimize health risks.

Activists are organizing a National Opt-Out Day for November 24th to protest TSA body scanners. Concerns from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) regarding the safety of backscatter X-ray radiation are discussed, alongside suggestions for passengers to wear dosimeters to measure exposure.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is accused of expanding "security theater" from airports to other forms of transit, including potential rail checkpoints. The hosts discuss the financial interests of consultants like Michael Chertoff in the deployment of full-body scanners, which they label "perversion machines." They predict that the same invasive screening methods used in aviation will eventually be applied to all public transportation.

Physicists at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) issued a memo questioning the safety of X-ray backscatter technology, noting that the energy is concentrated on the skin. The hosts report that the TSA has banned its own employees from wearing dosimeters to measure radiation exposure, allegedly to prevent public alarm. This lack of transparency regarding radiation levels is presented as a significant health scandal for both workers and travelers.

Fox News reports on the use of Z-Backscatter vans by law enforcement and private companies to x-ray vehicles and cargo in public spaces. The hosts express concern over the health risks of "human subjects" being irradiated without consent and the potential for illegal searches of private property. They compare the lack of outcry over these vans to the public backlash against Google Street View cars.

The TSA is deploying 14 backscatter x-ray body scanners at SeaTac Airport as part of a nationwide rollout of 450 machines. Travelers are encouraged to "opt out" of the scans in favor of physical pat-downs to avoid potential radiation exposure. Concerns are raised regarding the long-term health effects on both passengers and TSA employees.

American Science and Engineering (AS&E) is marketing the Z Backscatter Van, a vehicle that can x-ray other cars and containers while driving. The hosts question the physics of the device and the health risks associated with blasting x-rays in urban environments.

Claims that TSA full-body scanners protect passenger privacy are challenged by the fact that the images can be easily inverted in Photoshop to reveal anatomical details. The hosts describe how simple image filters can make a person appear fully naked and recognizable. They argue that the "privacy filters" touted by security agencies are a deceptive form of security theater.