BACON:
: E.C., one of the keywords is "reasonable". EVERETT CITIZEN:
You are correct. One of the key words is "reasonable", and "reasonable" searches are indeed permited. First, a WARRANT is obtained, signed by a magistrate under OATH OR AFIRMATION, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the person or things to be seized! Then the warrant is served and the search proceeds. Do you really think randomly searching people without a warrant is "reasonable"? The framers of the US Constitution did not, nor do I.
BACON:
When I got pulled over in Ft. Worth for speeding back in 1991, the first thing the police officer requested was my driver's license, then my registration, and my proof of insurance. She wanted to make sure my '86 Ranger was totally road-legal, that I was legally licensed to drive, and that I was not a fugitive.
EVERETT CITIZEN:
Did she search your trunk? Let dogs sniff around your backseat? Did she take a DNA sample? A blood test? A Urine Test? An IQ test? Why not? You don't have anything to hide, Mike, do you? Why did you not insist, while she was looking into your past, that she contact your alma mater and look into your school records? Or a nice little search of you childhood home? Or your home now? Where do you draw the line? (You say you draw the line with searching you car or home, but I suspect you don't. You let it get drawn for you, year by year, issue by issue, without any input from you. You will accept whatever the boss class, their puppet politicians, judges and police forces tell you to accept.)
BACON:
Furthermore, when I was called for jury duty in 1994, I had to pass through a metal detector after putting all my metal objects into a tray. You have to do that before you board a plane also.
: The above activities have been going on for many years, and they are effective in preventing tragic and horrific incidents.
EVERETT CITIZEN:
They are NOT effective, as "terrorism" always finds a way. Planes blow up, buildings blow up, and the noose around the people gets tighter and tighter, and life gets more restrictive, with no shortage of "terrorism". Just because you accept these limitations does not make them OK.
BEN FRANKLIN:
Those who would sacrifice essential liberties to purchase a little bit of temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.
BACON:
More examples: Before the apartment management leased me my unit, they did a credit check, and rental history check. They also checked to see if I had ever been convicted of a violent crime (I never have.).
EVERETT CITIZEN:
You fully accept that:
1) someone else should "own" and profit from your home.
2) they can check your criminal record, but you cannot check theirs.
As long as you accept second class citizenry it will always exist.
Mike, The Everett Citizen
