Libertarian Party of Georgia opposes TSA’s use of full body scanners

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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, ?[p]assengers 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