Furor over Flying

There has been a lot of fury over TSA's new security screening at the airport.  People insisting they want neither a pat-down nor a digial image of themselves naked.  Just a few days ago a young woman got excitable and in my face about the issue, because I was not incensed over the matter.  Apparently this young woman would rather risk a terrorist plane explosion than experience the pat-down or digital image of herself.  She asked me where I draw the line of comfort, and every time I tried to explain the facts and the situation, she reverted to the position that although flying is a privilege, this is a free country.  The conversation neatly ended when another person joined our party and interrupted the whole debate.
What seems to be missing amongst all the excitement is the realization that either of these intrusive procedures are only necessary if you set-off the detector's alarm, and fail to remove the offending device.  I don't know about everyone else, but that has only happened to me once.  I suspected that some decor on my shirt was too metallic for the device -- but I wasn't sure.  Most of the time, I know better than to wear anything that would escalate to either of the two new offensive security measures.
I have heard that the TSA officials are not really trained for what they're doing.  I'm willing to bet that in less frequently used airports especially, this is true.  But on the other hand, new measures are being implemented so often.  The TSA is also still playing catch-up to grasping anti-terrorist tactics.  Perhaps what Obama or Janet Napolitano need to realize is that a new TSA Administrator is required.  Perhaps an Irish or Israeli who has experience with preventing terrorist attacks -- and perhaps someone who knows how to train its people on doing it right.
There are some civil liberties I'm not willing to give up.  Free speech, free assembly, and other liberties that I exercise every day.  But flying is not a civil right, it is a privilege, and one that only exists for those who can afford it.  So I am not going to get huffy about intrusive measures until I actually experience one -- I'd rather know that the digital image or body pat are actually unavoidable and offensive.  But, I don't fly enough or wear enough metal (normally) be be concerned just yet.
I have heard people wondering what will happen "next" -- what else will TSA do?  They want to draw the line right where it is.  I remember when many of us were upset about other civil liberties during the Bush administration -- we asked "what next?"  At some point, the Administration does draw the line.  Obama has already asked the TSA whether they can scale back the new measures.  They already heard our message of outrage. 
My thought is that we are all exercising free will when we react to changes in security at the airport.  We all react differently, and our expression of that reaction is a right.  So to those who are upset about the new security measures -- go ahead and protest, write petitions to Obama and your Congress members -- I might sign your petition.  Your voice has power on the Hill.  All of this will work itself out.  Odds are, if enough people get uncomfortable and stop flying, the airlines will also get outraged.  When the pendulum swings too far one way, the American people send it swining back the other way.  That is our gift and our right!  My message to those who are unhappy with the security measures is to know where to express your outrage, and how.  Be smart and savvy -- be practical.  AND be respectful of your fellow Americans, diversity is one of our best assets.