Their goal is to make it as uncomfortable and embarrassing as possible when citizens chose to exercise their right to opt-out of the backscatter x-ray screening device. I chose to refuse the screening the last time I flew, and it was unpleasant enough as it was — they almost didn’t let me board the flight, all because I demanded to be allowed to walk around the backscatter machine, and not through it, in line with my right to refuse the search.

“Yes, but starting tomorrow, we’re going to start searching your crotchal area” — this is the word he used, “crotchal” — and you’re not going to like it.” “What am I not going to like?” I asked. “We have to search up your thighs and between your legs until we meet resistance,” he explained. “Resistance?” I asked. “Your testicles,” he explained.

Not, of course, that any of this makes us the least bit more secure from terrorism.