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Security and Terrorism Expert Bruce Schneier: TSA Scans "Won't Catch Anybody"
Popular Mechanics ^ | 11/19/10 | Jeff Wise

Posted on 11/22/2010 7:41:50 PM PST by FTJM

Since 9/11, cryptology expert and security consultant Bruce Schneier has been one of the most pointed critics of the government's anti-terrorism security programs. In his 2003 book "Beyond Fear," he coined the phrase "security theater" to refer to measures which are undertaken not because they will be effective at thwarting attacks, but because the agencies carrying them out need to appear to be doing something useful. We spoke to Schneier about the recent controversy involving the Transport Security Agency's use of invasive scanners and full-body pat-downs.

Q What is really being seen by these machines? A Bruce Schneier: In theory, it sees stuff that isn't part of the body. So if you've got a stapler in your pocket, it will show up. The thought is that it will see stuff that a metal detector won't detect, like a ceramic knife. But this doesn't seem to be borne out by reality.

Q The machines have shown up in the wake of the so-called underwear bomber, who tried to blow up a plane with chemicals stored in his briefs. Would this technology have stopped him? A The guys who make the machines have said, "We wouldn't have caught that."

(Excerpt) Read more at popularmechanics.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: tsa; tsapervs

1 posted on 11/22/2010 7:41:56 PM PST by FTJM
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To: FTJM

It’s not about security, it’s about CONTROL.


2 posted on 11/22/2010 7:42:49 PM PST by mrmeyer ("When brute force is on the march, compromise is the red carpet." Ayn Rand)
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To: FTJM

In WWII, the war to end all war, the military used to run antiaircraft searchlights on the coast and near some cities.

Not to spot incoming German or Italian bombers, but to reassure people that the government was “doing something”.

It must have been reassuring to see those shafts of blue-white light sweeping the sky.


3 posted on 11/22/2010 7:47:20 PM PST by DBrow
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To: FTJM
Next attack(s) are more likely to be blowing up massive* bombs in the queue for "security".

*Since the bomb is never intended to try to sneak through security, the entire volume of a carry-on max bag can be stuffed with explosives and shrapnel.

4 posted on 11/22/2010 7:48:50 PM PST by null and void (We are now in day 671 of our national holiday from reality. - 0bama really isn't one of US.)
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To: FTJM
Security and Terrorism Expert Bruce Schneier: TSA Scans "Won't Catch Anybody"

The TSA scans are 0bama's Cloward-Priven slow-motion anarchy !!

5 posted on 11/22/2010 7:56:23 PM PST by Uri’el-2012 (Psalm 119:174 I long for Your salvation, YHvH, Your law is my delight.)
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To: FTJM

Security and Terrorism Expert Bruce Schneier: TSA Scans “Won’t Catch Anybody”

Clearly not true. It’ll catch homosexuals and heterosexuals, both, a great many very interesting scenes; and, after all, isn’t that really the point? Obviously, it has nothing whatsoever to do with apprehending terrorists.


6 posted on 11/22/2010 7:58:33 PM PST by Jack Hammer
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To: mrmeyer
Not control. Prevention.

Prevention of people willing to stand up for themselves from flying.

The last few air attack attempts by the sons of satanallah have been thwarted by whom?????

If they (TSA & BAMBI ET AL) can keep heroes from flying, then the rabtards have a better chance of success!

7 posted on 11/22/2010 7:59:25 PM PST by rawcatslyentist (Jeremiah 50:31 Behold, I am against you, O you most proud, said the Lord God of hosts.)
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To: FTJM

8 posted on 11/22/2010 8:03:53 PM PST by lightman (Adjutorium nostrum (+) in nomine Domini)
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To: y'all
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

9 posted on 11/22/2010 8:06:27 PM PST by Cyber Ninja (Live and Let Live; is not working...)
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To: DBrow

I think also the pots & pans collected by children were not used but were thought to contribute to the war effort by involving everyone.

I have also heard (but do not know) that sugar and other commodities were not in short supply but were dumped in order to make the population feel they were part of the war effort.

Info welcome.


10 posted on 11/22/2010 8:54:09 PM PST by Bhoy
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To: mrmeyer
It’s not about security, it’s about CONTROL.

--------------------------

Spot on! Just like Hellcare.

Obama

11 posted on 11/22/2010 9:17:29 PM PST by BobP (The piss-stream media - Never to be watched again in my house)
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To: null and void

That’s if they even target air travel any time soon. Plenty of less secure mass transit systems in operation.


12 posted on 11/22/2010 9:33:41 PM PST by matt04
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To: FTJM

So far I have not heard of any contraband or explosives being found on anyone at all...at any US airport...none...nada...zero.

Why? Because the TSA is so good at what they do that all terrorists are afraid to enter the airport? Hell no!

The terrorists simply give the explosive devices to baggage handlers to put on the plane, corrupt TSA agents to walk around the inspection area, flight line maintenance mechanics to place bombs in strategic areas on the plane, the food service vendors to bring in with the food and many many more golden opportunities to blow the hell out of the plane at any time. Of course, I did not mention standing at the end of the runway fence with a RPG to shoot down a plane coming in or landing.

A terrorist is not going to enter the inspection area if he knows he is going to be found out. Come on...we are not so stupid to believe they would.

The bottom line is that there is no security at our airports due to total incompetence.


13 posted on 11/22/2010 10:32:11 PM PST by DH (Once the tainted finger of government touches anything, it begins to rot.)
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To: DBrow

to say nothing of the GIs pulling that dicked duty instead of being sent over to fight the Boche...


14 posted on 11/22/2010 10:45:51 PM PST by rahbert
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