McCook Gazette

Editorial

More than one side to privacy issue

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

McCook Daily Gazette

With the Transportation Security Administration's new body scanners and "groin check," system causing controversy nationwide, privacy is a big issue right now.

While the TSA is being criticized for its latest efforts, you can be sure it is nothing compared to the criticism it would receive if it let another terrorist slip through security.

It came up again this weekend when it was revealed that a state website, nebraskaspending.gov, listed names of students and money they had received in financial aid and student loans.

In response, the state treasurer's office took the entire university report off the web, because it would be too difficult to weed out the personal information.

It's a serious issue; until a few years ago, we know of at least one college that routinely sent out social security numbers will news releases about student scholarships. We pointed out the problem repeatedly, but it was several years before the school discontinued the practice.

Still, it's hard to get too excited about privacy if one considers that one could probably find a wealth of personal information about many of the students from their Facebook page or other social networking site. Plus, the public has a right to know where its tax dollars are going.

State Treasurer Shane Osborn said he'll give NU time to remove the private information and get the 2009-10 state expenditures reposted as soon as possible.

The state is making no effort, on the other hand, to protect the privacy of people who owe the state tax money.

Nebraska recently joined 19 other states publishing a list of its top tax delinquents, those who owe more than $20,000, have waived their rights to appeal tax rulings or had exhausted the appeals process and lost.

"Experience in the other states has shown that outstanding delinquent accounts are often resolved just so people can avoid having their names posted online," said state Tax Commissioner Doug Ewald. "Another group of people will resolve their accounts immediately after seeing their names online. Ultimately, this will provide the motivation some people need to finally resolve their tax debts."

You can check out the names and amount owed at:

http://www.revenue.ne.gov/delinquent_list/delinquent.html

We hope you took time to look over the McCook Farm & Ranch Expo insert in Monday's newspaper, and even more importantly, that you take time to tour the event Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds.

More than 300 vendors from 20 states, Canada and Australia are setting up booths, and a free producer breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. at the fairgrounds.

And, you don't have to be a farmer and rancher to enjoy your visit; there's something for everyone.

Three-time PRCA act of the year, Max Reynolds, will perform rope, bull whip and gun-slinging tricks throughout both days, world champion steer wrestler Dean Gorsuch will be signing autographs Wednesday morning, and Miss Rodeo Nebraska Michelle Boeshart will sign autographs in the Southwest Implement and Behlen Booths Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. The Red Willow County Health Department will offer flu shots from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, and Tri City Storm tickets and American Hat Co. hats will be given away at 3 p.m. Thursday.

More information is available at www.mccookfarmandranchexpo.net.

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"With the Transportation Security Administration's new body scanners and "groin check," system causing controversy nationwide, privacy is a big issue right now.

While the TSA is being criticized for its latest efforts, you can be sure it is nothing compared to the criticism it would receive if it let another terrorist slip through security."

The TSA has never caught a terrorist yet. I've seen numerous people show how you can still beat the TSA. The organization is worthless. The only thing it actually does is continue to erode actual Americans freedoms.

-- Posted by Damu on Tue, Nov 16, 2010, at 7:21 PM
New Jersey has the right idea here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H9HNEtrvEE&feature=player_embedded

-- Posted by Damu on Wed, Nov 17, 2010, at 1:32 AM
I'm still waiting for someone to define "actual" or "real" Americans as opposed to those of us who were born here, raised here, served in combat in our armed forces or otherwise fulfilled any requirement for citizenship anyone could wish but might view things differently than the speaker.The current TSA flap is a near perfect illustration of buffalo jump decision-making and shows what you can herd a people into if you can scare them badly enough.

I agree with Damu that this sort of single point security is too easily evaded and stands mostly as too little too late and a do something just to be showing you're doing something sort of reaction to people's fears in the wake of 9/11.

-- Posted by davis_x_machina on Mon, Nov 22, 2010, at 8:37 AM
I actually agree with damu on the fact that TSA is getting a great deal of criticism yet IF there was a traveler terrorist that was successful the American Citizen would have a deafening outcry.

It's easy to identify a problem... does anyone have a solution? The question as I see it, is how much risk is America willing to tolerate? The question actually goes a bit deeper than that however. In order to respond to that question, one would have to realistically put themselves into the position of being on a plane when a terrorist revealed himself. At that moment of truth, would you be thinking, "Why wasn't this guy stopped at check in?" Or even worse, it you knew it was someone you loved on that flight and you knew there was nothing you or they could do to save them. It is that 1st thought that comes to mind that defines your position. Do you immediately blame the airlines or the federal government, or do you say "This is just my luck." If your first inclination is to point a finger, then perhaps it's necessary to have a heightened level of awareness at the gate.

I haven't been traveling the skies recently and I'm sure I would be quite put out by the regimen of apparent body cavity searches that are being practiced right now. Then again, I'm more of a person that questions myself before I start looking to others for accountability. Who knows though.... when faced with a suicide bomber at 30,000 feet, I might curl up into a ball and find a happy place.

My point here is this..... Can someone offer up a better and equally secure method of protection from the terrorist threat or is this just a GREAT topic to complain about?

Personally I would go the route of lesser security and higher risk if it were myself that was at risk, if it were my wife and child on the plane though..... I would be willing to wait hours on end to assure they would reach their destination safely.

-- Posted by PensiveObserver on Tue, Nov 23, 2010, at 6:29 PM
@PO Valid arguments. There are however a few issues. In the years before 9/11 the usual route to take during a hijacking was for the passengers and pilots to be docile with the hijackers demands. This was seen as the best way of handling the situation. After 9/11 however this has all changed. The passengers have no issue attacking someone trying to hijack or blowup a plain.

You are still 1000 times safer flying in a plane than driving in a car. Off hand I forget the statistic for dying by terrorist actions, but its extremely unlikely as well.

Alleged security is just that, alleged. These actions make flying no more safer than without. It does however infringe on American rights in the name of security. Ben Franklin said it best I think "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

-- Posted by Damu on Tue, Nov 30, 2010, at 1:51 PM

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