With New TSA Procedures Comes an Increase in Criticism Commentary By JEFF NELSON
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've been waiting in line for the past hour or so; after getting cut in front of by an obnoxious woman, getting smoke blown in my face for 20 minutes while winding in circles outside, and pushing my 50-pound bag a mile around endless ropes and dividers, I have finally made it to the security checkpoint at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport. I step up to the counter, where an overworked, ticked-off TSA agent asks me to take off my jacket, shoes, belt, hat, backpack and to remove my wallet, phone, laptop, and liquids―of course, I only have three one-ounce containers in a clear one quart-size zip locked bag! I start to walk to go into the metal detector, but one of the agents tells me to step into this new "21st century technology" Xray machine. I step in, wait a bit while my body gets slowly radiated, and watch as a basically nude picture pops up in front of Mr. TSA on the computer next to me. As I await my results, I have to stand eye-to-eye with a 6'5, 230 pound tough-guy to make sure I don't try anything drastic. After about a minute, he smiles and tells me to move on. Phew! As I gather my things, I look to my side as an 80-year-old woman gets a very thorough breastexamination because she was randomly selected for further scanning. Ever since the horrors of September 11, security in airports has been getting tighter and tighter. It seems normal now after we hear of a new terrorist with a bomb in his underwear or shoes while
GRAPHIC: SEAN BURKE
trying to mix chemicals to blow up a plane. The problem is not that security is too high; the problem is that we are scrutinizing the wrong people, letting the underwear bombers potentially go free to try to blow up our planes. It’s a good thing that someone tackled him before he could blow himself up on the plane! Lately, the TSA has been under harsh criticism, as they have passed new screening procedures, adding more of these X-ray scanners that portray relativelynaked pictures and allowing intensive, and debatably inappropriate, pat-downs that often involve the feeling of private parts.
Not only are many people uncomfortable with the new system, but more importantly the system is unnecessary. Other than the idea that my body is getting radiated, I think the idea of X-ray machines to detect bombs is a good idea, but it's inefficient and not really necessary, especially when so many people will get offended by it. Several experts have suggested the idea that America should use Israel's anti-terrorism system. El Al Israel Airlines, named Global Traveler Magazine's number one in its "Best Airline for Security" for three years straight, has been free of terrorist attacks for 30 years, and has had only
one hijacking in its history. The former security chief for El Al, Isaac Yeffet, says that America should adopt their system of interviewing each individual, with a focus on those who appear more threatening, aka profiling. He makes sure to say that this is not necessarily racial profiling or discrimination, as they do interview everyone. “Technology in general can never replace a qualified and well-trained human being,” Yeffet said. The idea is that the large majority of fliers are completely innocent, so it is unnecessary to scan all of them. With interviewing, you can find those who seem
Julia DePaoli Stars as Clara in “The Nutcracker” Set to the music by Tchaikovsky and performed at the Granada, “The Nutcracker” promises to be enchanting.
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By JESS DAVIS
ith the holiday season comes the return of the long-standing tradition of “The Nutcracker.” It seems there is no limit to the number of times one can watch this production — the magic of the sugar plum fairy and the charm of Clara capture audiences perennially. On Saturday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. and Dec. 19 at 2 p.m., State Street Ballet will perform their annual presentation of this crowd pleasing favorite. The performances will be held in the recently renovated Granada Theater. The ballet will be performed by members of State Street Ballet’s professional dance company alongside students from the Gustafson School of Dance. Laguna Blanca’s own Julia DePaoli, a sophomore, will be starring in the show as Clara — the young girl who receives a toy nutcracker as a Christmas gift from her grandfather. The ballet, which is based on the book “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by E.T.A. Hoffman, takes audiences on an imaginative journey with Clara and the nutcracker. Clara encounters characters such as a terrifying rat king, a group of snowflakes, and an Arabian princess. Tchaikovsky’s score for the two-part ballet has become
one of his most famous compositions of all time. Although it is Julia’s third year participating in State Street Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” she is looking forward to the show and is happy to be performing as Clara. “It’s a pleasure to be able to dance with a professional company. Also, it is really exciting because The Granada is such a beautiful big theater, which makes performing in general that much more special and fun,” said Julia. Julia, who fell in love with dance at the young age of five, has rehearsed tirelessly in preparation for the performance. “We began rehearsals in early September,” said Julia, “and a lot of effort has gone into publicizing the production through radio and newspaper interviews.” Her dedication to dance and commitment to preparing for the show will be apparent in her performance this weekend. Julia encourages the Laguna Blanca community to attend the performance. “The performance is something that is really great for all ages. It is a holiday tradition that everyone can enjoy and it will get you in the holiday spirit!”
PHOTO: DAVID BAZEMORE
suspicious for whatever reason and then fully search them. The process will take longer for those who fit the profile of one who may be suspicious, but overall the system is highly effective and not invasive―at least for those who aren't getting a full body search. On the flip side, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs claims that the American and Israeli systems cannot be compared, as Israel has two international airports and America has 450. Many airports in America are now considering getting rid of their TSA programs and hiring independent companies. At the moment, 16 airports, such as San Francisco International
Airport and Kansas City International Airport, have done so. They are a part of the TSA Screening Partnership Program. These independent contractors have to follow TSA guidelines for screening passengers and baggage. The Sanford Airport in Orlando, Florida is considering doing the same. Though a large portion of people have been offended by the new TSA procedures, others believe they are good for the overall safety of the country and not as invasive as have been stated. “I think the airport security is effective. The new measures they are taking, which have been so hotly contested, are a good thing. I disagree with the sentiment that it invades people’s privacy; if you look at the images the TSA will be seeing, it’s clear that these scanners are far from overly invasive. I just don’t see the problem in it,” senior Fletcher Sipple said. Nevertheless, security risks are certainly high. Thus, the country needs a system to prevent any future disasters, whether using the TSA, El Al, or any other system. There is no perfect method― the TSA gets criticized for inappropriate procedures and El AL’s interviewing system could be interpreted as “profiling” in America’s overly politically correct society. Though I joke about naked pictures from the body scanners and breast-examinations of 80-year-old women, the important thing is to find a way to prevent terrorism so that America, and the world, can be safe and not afraid.