AP: Supreme Court Won't KO Airport ID Policy

[Eugene]

Supreme Court Won't KO Airport ID Policy


Monday January 8, 2007 3:46 PM

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a challenge to federal
airport regulations requiring passengers to show identification before they board
planes.

The justices, without comment, let stand an appeals court ruling against Libertarian
activist and millionaire John Gilmore. Gilmore wanted the court to force the federal
government to disclose the policy that requires passengers to produce identification.

Unless the regulations are made public, air travelers have no way to determine if the
regulations call for impermissible searches, Gilmore said in court papers. The Justice
Department has said that demanding ID protects passengers' safety.

The case is Gilmore v. Gonzales, 06-211.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6330669,00.html

[crikkett]

1. I wonder why it's unreasonable to show us the rules.

Yeah I'll say that everyone having to show ID could protect my safety. But if there are rules why can't the public see them?

Maybe because they're unconstitutional.

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. Because the rules don't exist, that's why

They have as much substance as the Emperor's new clothes. But they have "existed" for so long that it would be extremely embarassing to create them now.

[MindPilot]

3. Can anyone explain how showing ID makes my plane ride safer?

Anyone?

[BadgerKid]

4. "Safety" is an inconsistent excuse

Sport stadiums can seat tens of thousands of people, more than can be affected by airplanes used as projectiles, yet we don't show ID to enter those :shrug:

[BadgerKid]

5. You can fly w/o ID *if* you undergo a search n/t