Posted on 07/22/2005 11:06:07 AM PDT by BigFinn
Reacting to the NYPD's announcement Thursday afternoon that police would randomlybut routinelysearch the bags of commuters, one concerned New Yorker quickly created a way for civil libertarians to make their views black-and-white. In a few outraged moments, local immigrant rights activist Tony Lu designed t-shirts bearing the text, "i do not consent to being searched." The minimalist protest-wear can be purchased here, in various styles and sizes. (Lu will not get a cut. The shirts' manufacture, sale, and shipment, will be handled by the online retailer. Lu encourages budget-conscious New Yorkers to make their own and wear them everywhere.)
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly had announced the legally obviousthat New Yorkers are free to decline a search and "turn around and leave." But Lu, who is a lawyer at Urban Justice Center, warned that even well-intentioned cops could interpret people's natural nervousness or anger as "reasonable suspicion." The possibility of unjustified interrogation and even arrest is real, Lu said.
Although police promised they would not engage in racial profiling, Lu said that, as with all street-level policing, people of color and poor immigrants would be particularly vulnerable, especially if encounters lead to arrests.
Try common sense. What's reasonable about searching the purse of an 80 year old woman while letting Ahmed and his backpack pass on through just because it's the old woman's turn to be searched? What's reasonable about *not* profiling? Please, enlighten us.
Not in New York...............
And the funny thing is that Sam was apparently a better patriot than brewer- his brewery went belly up.
"Indeed, what exactly are they protecting anymore? Our borders are wide open, our every move is scrutinized, the "freedom and liberty" thing is pretty much extinct on the entire globe at this point."
Everyone knows that every good offense needs a good DEFENSE.
How can you fight a so called WOT when you've got the soft underbelly of america (aka our borders) EXPOSED?? That's not defensive by any means.
Ronald Reagan would have closed the borders post 9/11.
You're right, but damn, I wish you hadn't reminded me. Now my stomach hurts even more!
You can be pulled over in Ohio just for not wearing a setbelt and be ticketed.
The airlines are private entities. How's that working for them?
But I have a choice. I can simply not take the subway. If I choose to ride, I will cooperate with the police.
What happens *if* and when shopping centers, malls, churches, and theater's are bombed?
Seems to me, security should start right at our borders and with very strict, reformed immigration policies.
I may be wrong, but it seems this should be our #1 priority.
I can't enlighten you, because unreasonable is not up to me.
I can tell you that the terrorists are smart. If they know we're targeting a certain group, they'll use someone else, which is why profiling only goes so far. Does anybody honestly believe they won't use American citizens?
About 4.5 million people a day ride the subway. About 500 stations and roughly 500 miles of track.
Once muslim internment and deportation have commenced, I'll gladly accept my ration cards and plant my victory garden.
First things first
" If we were not in this terrorism battle I would not like it one bit but as it is better safe than sorry."
How long do you think we'll be at war with islamofascism? They've been fighting the hindus for hundreds of years....
Three words -- John Walker Lindh.
Or, as I've said before, any terrorist group with half a brain is busy recruiting caucasians & women to carry out their plans.
Quote: But I have a choice. I can simply not take the subway. If I choose to ride, I will cooperate with the police
Bogus argument. Many-probably the majority of people have no choice but to ride the subway.
March lockstep or be flamed, simple enough ;)
Calling people "sheeple" is arrogant and offensive. Would you prefer that New York's subway riders refuse to cooperate with the police?
The searches in New York City are by police in New York City--not the FBI. I don't see this as a big government issue.
It would probably be working just fine if they were TRULY private entities. Part of the problem, though, is that while airlines are private entities, most airports are not. The interface between these two different entities is what introduces a very hazy area into the mix.
My first thought exactly.
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