I believe what's happening is the use of the radiation concerns is a proxy for the underlying problem: regularly taking naked pictures of the population in the name of security.

I don't think anybody can effectively argue that the whole enterprise is in dire need of grownups -- too easy to get screwed the next time there is an attack. But you could argue that radiation is a key factor, or just wave your arms around and yell a lot. With enough arm-waving, smoke, and mirrors you can make the case that the population is deeply concerned about radiation effects -- regardless of the science -- so "something must be done". "Something must be done" is what got us here in the first place, perhaps "something must be done" is what can get us out.