National Opt Out Day

Once upon a time, I used to love flying. Hey, I racked up more frequent flier miles by the time I was one, than lots of people do in their entire lifetime. Travel anywhere at the last moments notice? Oh, I'm down! Give me another stamp in that passport!

Then I took my first flight after 9/11. I was seriously checked FIVE times between checking in at the gate and boarding the plane. It was insane!

I flew through the taking of the shoes off, and the no liquids. I grumbled, but I did it.

And then the TSA introduced full body scanners, and I said enough is enough.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010 is National Opt Out Day. If you're like me, and you refuse to subject your body to harmful radiation, and show people you don't even know your hoo-ha on a computer screen - stand up for your rights. If you refuse to be felt up by a TSA agent WITH THEIR FINGERS, stand up for your rights!

I am not a potential terrorist and I am sick of being treated like one. I understand the value of the new screening machines, however, they are not fail proof, and we all know it. If, like me, you speak up and refuse to go through the new machines, you are now subjected to being searched by a man or woman behind a screen with their fingers ANYWHERE THEY WANT! Excuse me, but only my husband (OK, and my OB/GYN, begrudgingly) goes there. I don't care if it's a man or a woman, it's my body! Holy smokes, we teach our children that if someone does that to them, they are to scream and call for help - why are we letting them do this to us?

There has to be a better way - because right now it looks like we're letting the terrorists win.