8/08/05
Would YOU feel safe if you were this citizen?
We can be stopped and searched in the subways, bus terminals and public buildings. At airports we American citizens must undergo demeaning intrusions that include taking off our shoes and standing on the cold, dirty airport floor.
--Remember that "Shoe Bomber" clown? Was he for real, or was he a "shoe-in" to give our current regime an excuse to strip us of more Liberty?
Here in NY people in the subways are subject to random "stop and search" of bags and backpacks - that reminds me of the term, "Search and Destroy" used during the Vietnam War. Oops, I mean, "Vietnam CONFLICT." They never declared the warfare in Vietnam a "war."
If someone is caught with illegal drugs, or bootleg movies, they can be arrested.
Does anybody remember the 4th Amendment?
The articles being searched for must be clearly stated on a legal warrant issued by the Court.
Anything found that is not on that list CANNOT be used as evidence against you.
A policeman can stop/detain and search you based upon "probable cause" that you have committed, are about to commit, or are in the process of committing a crime.
If, for instance, you're covered with blood and you have a machete hanging from your belt, any policeman with any sense at all would instantly draw his gun and yell, "POLICE! DO NOT MOVE!"
In the subways it is tacitly understood that explosives, weapons and other objects and substances that can be used as weapons are the items being searched for. I suppose a home-rolled cigarette of "wacky tobaccy" could be lit up on a crowded subway car, causing all the riders to become psychotic from "Reefer Madness" and start killing and destroying. A chain reaction could ensue that would destroy our entire civilization.
OK, I guess a few puffs of the funny weed wouldn't do that, after all.
Also in many areas of New York it is foolish to be without a weapon. The police cannot be everywhere protecting everybody all the time.
Here's the catch - the searches are "voluntary", but if
you don't "volunteer" to a search, you won't the allowed to ride the train.
If you allow the search and contraband is found you have no legal recourse because the search was "voluntary."
"Oh, crap! This job interview...I HAVE to show up. Jesus! Why did I have to bring that $20.00 bag of weed with me? What was I THINKING? Oh, CHRIST! the train is pulling in and I'm already LATE!
OK, it's tucked all the way down at the bottom, next to my iPod. Maybe they'll miss it..."
"Open your bag or leave the subway" is NOT "voluntary," it's extortion.
What other infringements upon our Essential Liberty will we tolerate for the "War on Terror" before We the People say, "ENOUGH"?
There will probably NEVER be enough people to turn the tide by standing up and asserting their rights as free citizens in a free country.
Nope, the majority of the people will allow the subjugation of the American people to continue unopposed.
"May I see your [identity] papers? What are you doing in this part of town? What is your business here? How long will you be here?"
*Clack-Clack* HALT! KOMME MIT UNS! SHNELL!
-- Repeated endlessly in NAZI Germany.
Maybe HERE, too eventually.