I am neither rich nor famous. (Warning: Bypass if you are sick of TSA threads)

[Pacifist Patriot]

So if I find myself in a position to take a stand for civil liberties the next time I fly, it probably won't create a stir. Likely, my actions will be completely unworthy of note. However, I am doing the one thing I can do to protest the present policies of the TSA.

I have a plan. Hopefully one I won't have to use.

I am one of those who cannot and does not accept the admonishment to simply not fly. I serve on a non-profit board that meets in Washington, DC and New York City three times a year. Taking the train or the bus would take time away from my family and employment I can ill afford. Our next meeting is Sunday, December 5 and I am ticketed to fly via commercial airline.

If I am ordered to submit to a body scan I will "opt out" by solemnly informing them I object on three grounds.

1) Legal: The scanner violates my fourth amendment right by subjecting me to an unreasonable search of my person without probable cause.
2) Religious: My denomination affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every human being and these scanners violate such dignity, in my opinion.
3) Personal: I have no confidence the scanners do not pose a health risk.

If I am then instructed to submit to a pat down I will quietly inform them that only my husband and medical personnel who first obtain my permission for a legitimate medical reason are allowed to touch my breasts and any area of my body covered by my panties. The TSA agent may therefore proceed if she acknowledges I have not granted permission for her to touch these areas of my body.

If I must do so, I will request to speak to a supervisor and explain that reasons 1) and 2) above apply equally to the pat down as they do to the scanner.

I have not decided if I will disclose I am a victim of rape and could very well have a panic attack if someone touches me inappropriately. I do not know why I am perfectly comfortable telling anyone with a computer who finds DemocraticUnderground.com, but have a hard time seeing myself admitting this to a single individual face to face.

I do not know what will happen at this point, but I have memorized the phone number of the police and sheriff's departments with jurisdiction over the airports where I will be going through security. I have memorized the phone number of my lawyer (former ACLU attorney).

I will be courteous, soft-spoken and sincere. I do not anticipate trouble. I do not plan to cause trouble. I am prepared, however, to protect my fourth amendment rights and if that means missing my first meeting, I will do so.

In the meantime, I will continue to badger my congresscritters about tax breaks for the rich, illegal wiretapping/email snooping, troop withdrawals, foreclosure fraud, etc. I'm hardly obsessing or unable to see a much bigger picture, I am simply prepared.

Here's hoping you don't see me on the news!

Edited to correct typos, though I may still have missed a few.