Activists sue to stop random MBTA bag searches

Boston.com ^ | 7/27/04 | AP

[wagglebee]

BOSTON (AP) A federal judge took under advisement a lawsuit filed by two civil rights groups hoping to stop the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority from inspecting passengers' bags.

[wagglebee]

It sounds like the 'Rats in charge of bringing the marijauna to the party are getting a little paranoid.

[Semper Paratus]

Islamic terror cells are following this.

[Calpernia]

Lawsuits are a weapon of mass destruction

[Alberta's Child]

I have to agree with the "civil rights groups" on this one. The Fourth Amendment clearly states that this kind of thing is not permitted.

[VOA]

Islamic terror cells are following this.

Let me voice my support of your comment.

Before we're both savaged by some folks in the forum.

But I've got to admit that the real reason I'd hate to see a mushroom cloud over
Fleet Center in Boston would be...
the loss of a fair number of conervative talk-radio commentators like
Laura Ingraham and Dennis Prager and other folks from The Salem Radio Network.

[lancer]

A federal judge took under advisement

If something happens, that judge better have something more to hide under than "advisement!"

He'll be hiding under "shame!"

[Paleo Conservative]

These activists (terrorists) are just trying to get the legal precedents in place for the Republican convetion.

[Happygal]

If there is a security threat - well, I guess, I can understand the searches. I'm not sure I'd personally like to be searched willy-nilly, but if it's in the genuine interests of safety and security, well, I'd succumb to it. Same way as I allow myself to be searched at airports, or going into concerts...etc.

[wagglebee]

These activists (terrorists) are just trying to get the legal precedents in place for the Republican convention.

I don't think it would make a bit of difference, Boston and NYC are not in the same federal circuit, so any ruling in Boston wouldn't matter. In any event, in the interest of security, I think the authorities should continue regardless of the courts and deal with any consequences later.

[wagglebee]

If some terrorist attack happened at the DNC, the 'Rats would be all over the place saying that Bush knew about it and didn't do anything to prevent it.

[JediForce]

We can search your bags now...or your dental records later. Because if the followers of the ROPieces has it's way the only thing left of you may be your teeth.

[Paleo Conservative]

Boston and NYC are not in the same federal circuit, so any ruling in Boston wouldn't matter

But in the absence of Supreme Court ruling, one circuit will often cite another circuit's ruling in a similar case.

[Alberta's Child]

What's usually overlooked in cases like this is one very basic, irrefutable fact: The Fourth Amendment is not open for negotiation.

This is not like an airport, in which people are screened for security purposes when they enter the terminal. The random inspection of handbags doesn't just apply to convention attendees in Boston -- it's being done to anyone who takes an MBTA train to the vicinity of the convention site.

If there is a legitimate reason to believe that there are major security concerns at a large gathering like this, the solution is not a large-scale abrogation of the Fourth Amendment . . . instead, they should just cancel the event, or hold it someplace where the general public will not be bothered.

[Happygal]

Yeah, okay. Fair point.

It is an infringement of civil liberties alright, if your purpose is not to attend the convention.

[Conservative Infidel]

So, some left-wing nut job is going to get a MA nut job left-wing judge to concur that the "inspections" are illegal and have them stopped. Guess who will be first in line complaining "you didn't do enough to protect us!" if (God forbid) there is a bombing on a train or bus...

[mvpel]

I'm tempted to go down and ride the T just so I can politely and steadfastly refuse any requests to search my person, papers, and effects.

[SendShaqtoIraq]

I believe whichever court is over New York has ALREADY RULED that cops can't search backpacks, etc, of poeple going into, around and about the RNC

[Conservative Infidel]

They are NOT searching "persons, papers, and effects." They are rubbing swabs on the OUTSIDE of bags and testing the swabs for the evidence (fumes) of explosives. They aren't even requiring that bags be x-rayed or anything else.
I understand that you feel strongly that this is some sort of illegal search. How would you feel if you were riding a bus with a homicide bomber??