Libertarian Party of Georgia Press Release Opposing the TSA's Use Of Whole Body Image Security Checkpoints

Hot outta the inbox from the Georgia LP’s new Director of Communications, Greta Langhenry.




Libertarian Party of Georgia Opposes TSA’s Use Of Whole Body Image
Security Checkpoints

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 18, 2010 (ATLANTA) – In response to the recent debate
surrounding the Transportation Security Administration’s use of Whole
Body Image (WBI) scanners, as well as the two cases already recently
filed against the TSA by the Electronic Privacy Information Center
(EPIC) and the Rutherford Institute, the Libertarian Party of Georgia
announces today their public opposition to the TSA’s decision to use
these devices in our nation’s airports. According to the TSA website
(www.tsa.gov) at the time of press, in a statement dated October 28,
2010, “passengers should continue to expect an unpredictable mix of
security layers that include explosives trace detection, advanced
imaging technology, [and] canine teams, among others.”

The Libertarian Party of Georgia holds that these security measures
imposed upon private citizens are a direct violation of the Fourth
Amendment of the Constitution, which reads as follows:

“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall
not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause,
supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the
place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America

“The possible health risks associated with the type of radiation used
in these machines are not yet well understood, but the detriments to
mental well-being and personal liberties are clear,” said Daniel N.
Adams, chairman of the Libertarian Party of Georgia.  ”What the TSA is
calling an ‘enhanced pat-down’ is not an acceptable alternative to
refusal to enter the WBI scanner. While we understand the importance
of National and personal security, we do not agree that WBI scans are
a necessary or obligate measure for securing the safety of U.S.
airline passengers. The federal government wants us to believe that
the act of buying a plane ticket from a private company necessitates
the passenger forfeit their right to refuse an unlawful search without
a warrant by telling us that we are aiding in ‘national security
measures’. We respectfully disagree, and hold that no citizen should
ever have to forfeit those rights under the guise of security.”

The Libertarian Party opposes all interference by government in the
areas of voluntary and contractual relations among individuals. People
should not be forced to sacrifice their lives and property for the
benefit of others. They should be left free by government to deal with
one another as free traders. The resultant economic system, the only
one compatible with the protection of individual rights, is the free
market.  The Libertarian Party of Georgia believes that The Bill of
Rights to the United States Constitution is an excellent exposition of
Libertarian beliefs in individual freedom, limited government, and
self-responsibility. Certainly, these measures introduced by the TSA
are an invasion of personal right to privacy, and a clear violation of
the Fourth Amendment.

The Libertarian Party is Georgia’s third largest political party and
the only party in Georgia promoting fewer taxes, less government and
personal liberty for all Georgians.  To learn more, please visit
www.LPGeorgia.com

Contact: Greta Langhenry
Communications Director
[email protected]

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