In Case You Missed This...

[WillyT]

Woman Roughed Up, Arrested for Reciting the Constitution During TSA Inspection
Oct. 17, 2011
By T. P. Alexanders | Sourced from Daily Kos
Posted at October 20, 2011, 6:30 am

Albuquerque International Sunport Security Checkpoint:


<snip>

When it is my turn, I decline to go through the monitor that scans under your clothes, as I always do. The TSA agent starts his spiel about how safe it is. I've done my research. His statements are questionable, but that is not why I am doing this. I start my own spiel.

"The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution reads: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrant shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, an particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
-----

I'm speaking loud and clear so those around me can hear. Before I get to "unreasonable search" a man in an ill-fitting suit and a tie marches up to me. He tells me I was disrupting his operation. I have no idea what his position is. He stands in front of the metal detector--the first place they usually screen me. He tells me I am holding up the line. I drop my voice and tell him to go ahead and screen me. I'll take the pat down. But that's not what he wants. He wants me to shut up. I continue reading the Fourth Amendment.

He asks me to go with him to some undisclosed location to “talk”. He indicates with his hand somewhere back toward ticketing, away from being screened. I decline. He tries to gently guide me with a hand on my elbow, like we're on a date, pushing me back up the line. I stand firm. I want to go forward, let them pat me down while I read the Fourth Amendment to my fellow citizens.

<snip>

Much More: http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/683300/bizarre%3A_woman_roughed_up%2C_arrested_for_reciting_the_constitution_during_tsa_inspection/#paragraph6

:kick:

[Warpy]

1. Guy with a Tie has never read the constitution and doesn't know what's in it

and in any case, every one of the Bill of Rights but the Second is subversive, making it difficult for the majority to tyrannize the minority.

Guy with a Tie is just some joker who schmoozed his way into a job at the airport and schmoozed his way into TSA when they came in and started hiring. Anyone who doesn't act utterly predictably is a target for him and he adores being a bully.

And yeah, I've seen him in action.

[Mira]

2. Shirley McLaine calls TSA Agents "Thugs Standing About". I think she's got it right. n/t

[NYC_SKP]

3. Guaranteed that she was going to miss that flight.

It's a good read, but I wish she'd have consulted a good civil rights attorney BEFORE she set out to make her point.

Getting into a TSA line, in fact buying an airlines ticket, is a virtually waiver of certain rights, including to insist on some form of cause before showing ID, or the right to protest.

I'm sorry to disappoint, but this was guaranteed to not go well.

No surprises here about the outcome.

But I hate the airport gestapo as much as anyone.

:patriot:

[snot]

9. Just bec. police powers have been delegated to a private co. shd not mean

that they're not subject to Constitutional limitations. Flying is now in the nature of a public utility. As the author said, would it be ok if we're searched before we can use a road? Where is the line?

I realize safety is a legitimate concern of the State; but there must be a balancing, and a minimization of abridgment of rights, and the precautions chosen must be reasonable. And the mass screenings that are going on are out of balance and unreasonable.

I have yet to see a rationale for holding these searches Constitutional that holds water, and if courts have in fact held them Constitutional, I think they're wrong.

PS: Thank you to the author of this piece. If more people stood up for their rights, the whole shabby enterprise would come to a screeching halt.

Occupy the airport.

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. "You give up your rights when you fly." (Yes, he really said that.)"

Did y'all know that you give up your rights when you fly???????

Did y'all know that the TSA and police believe that you give up your rights when you fly?

Is giving up your rights worth it?

[seabeyond]

6. why, yes, yes people on du know you give up our rights and further they argue it

so i would say another yes... that they are ok with it.

that is what i pulled from the article myself.

kinda like wolfe being arrest for NOT breaking the law.

[seabeyond]

5. " You give up your rights when you fly." (Yes, he really said that.)" what duers argue...

when they claim that we have to cowar and give up all rights.

sheep

[1776Forever]

7. I watched Dr. Cornel West get arrested in Harlem protesting Stop and Frisk procedure by NYPD..

This procedure stops mostly Black and Latino men for no obvious illegal issues on their part. This is what they are doing in the airports if you ask me. This woman was only trying to board a plane and she had no legal rights of her own not to be searched. I agree that we all need to go through metal detectors and yes maybe they will miss something but really how many of our rights do we have to give up? It is getting worse all the time.

Here is the info on the Stop and Frisk tactic:

http://www.nyclu.org/issues/racial-justice/stop-and-frisk-practices

The NYPD’s stop-and-frisk practices raise serious concerns over racial profiling, illegal stops and privacy rights. The Department’s own reports on its stop-and-frisk activity confirm what many people in communities of color across the city have long known: The police are stopping hundreds of thousands of law abiding New Yorkers every year, and the vast majority are black and Latino.

(More info at link)

[WillyT]

8. The Person In The OP, Dr. Cornel West, And Naomi Wolf, Are All Telling Us The Same Thing...

Check the health of our "Democracy" and our "Constitution".

:hi:

:shrug:

:kick:

[1776Forever]

11. Yes exactly - That is what OWS is telling us too - They are living it! Thanks n/t

[Fire Walk With Me]

10. Just say NO! :D

[WillyT]

12. Kick !!!

:kick: