Friday, October 5, 2007

Attack of the America Bra


There's something wrong when bras become matters of national security.

When trained security can't tell the difference between a bomb, bra hooks and under wire, you know we're in trouble.

While most citizens willingly take off their shoes, belt buckles, jackets, and submit to unfavorable pat downs by the flocks of security at our nation's airports and federal buildings, at some point, we must admit enough is enough.

Lori Plato said enough was enough after U.S. Marshalls Service employees demanded that she remove her bra after the undergarment ignited alarms at a federal building.

The building had no screen or changing room. When she asked if she could change in a rest room, she was told no, and urged to remove it in a nearby restaurant. Her husband shielded her with his coat and she removed the offending garment.

This news was announced the same day, a woman I know called me in tears, stating that airport security demanded she remove her long lined bra. The security officer said the traveler's bra was in the way of the traditional pat down and demanded that she disrobe behind an open screen in full view of employees and passengers. When the traveler called for management, she was told that the guard was "incorrect", and that she simply needed to unhook the bottom of the bra, for a less invasive procedure. But by this time, the traveler was so humiliated by the guard's cavalier attitude and sheer possibility, that this reassurance didn't matter.

There's something wrong when guards feel comfortable enough to demand that a woman drop her underwear in order to enter a secure facility. To know that some security get a kick out of disrobing random women at will is a real problem. The inconsiderate nature of the demand speaks to a false sense of empowerment some security professionals apparently enjoy.

So ladies, if a guard orders you to take off your bra, sue their pants off.

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