NYC To Start Random Searches of Commuter's Bags

[MMMMMM]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/21/ny...gewanted=print

[[censored]]

can't say I agree with that but I guess these things are necessary now.

[Broken Glass Can]

If anyone objects to this, please tell us how this is different from searching your bags at an airport.

You do not have an absolute right to use the subway or the bus, when you choose to enter a subway station or a bus, they have a right to inspect bags.

No one wants this to be overdone, but it is certainly legal and appropriate for the protection of the public.

[SheetWise]

It doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. I suppose commuters are going to have to start traveling light. A great business opportunity providing storage lockers in the city ... or, perhaps training dogs to search for explosives ...

[jcx]

Absolute waste of time and money. There are 100's of stations in the various boroughs and surrounding areas. No way they can police them all. A potential wrongdoer will simply scout out a station where there is no police checkpoint. The only thing this new policy will do is piss people off at major transit points like Penn Station. It should also make a lot of overtime loving cops very happy.

[jcx]

[ QUOTE ]
If anyone objects to this, please tell us how this is different from searching your bags at an airport.



[/ QUOTE ]

At an airport everyone gets screened and bags x-rayed. No exceptions. Since that is completely impractical for the NY Transit system, this is going to be a 1/2 assed system of "random" searches. And since they've already come out and given the PC "no profiling" statement, it sure will be useful to have grandma getting strip searched while Joe Mohammed walks by marveling at the Americans' stupidity.

[fluxrad]

[ QUOTE ]

If anyone objects to this, please tell us how this is different from searching your bags at an airport.

[/ QUOTE ]

One is paid for by the city, one by the public.

That is to say, when I purchase an airline ticket, I'm buying it from United, or Frontier, or wherever. When I buy a metro ticket, I'm buying it from the city or a private authority comissioned by the city to serve the public good (in the case of RTD, here in Denver).

You shouldn't have the right to search bags on the subway for the same reason you shouldn't have the right to search bags in a park, or search a car on a tarry stop.

Edit: Moreover, [censored] all this conversation. If I don't have the right to

A. travel freely without being searched by my government.
B. be a member of a religion of my choice without being thoroughly investigated an harrased by my government (in this case, Islam).
C. habeas corpus (by being labeled an "enemy combattant")
D. A speedy trial (see C vis a vis Jose Padilla and Kevin Mitnick).

then honestly, what is worth defending?

What are we fighting for? Is it so that I don't have to grow a beard before I play Gran Turismo? What rights am I so worried about that are worth giving up the above?

Or is it that I have nothing to worry about...so long as I'm doing nothing wrong.

[fluxrad]

[ QUOTE ]

can't say I agree with that but I guess these things are necessary now.


[/ QUOTE ]

Holy Germany 1937, Batman!

[sam h]

Sounds like a waste of time and money that people will probably just roll over and accept.

[kt421]

Good post.