I say that I wish that it could be arranged, that the victims of the next terrorist attacks in the U.S., could be limited to the people that fear "Big Brother" more than they fear terrorists.
Posted on 12/05/2005 12:57:58 PM PST by JOAT
DENVER -- Deborah Davis' refusal to show her identification to federal police at a bus stop has turned her into a cause celebre among privacy-rights advocates.
Mrs. Davis, a 50-year-old Arvada, Colo., grandmother of five, was handcuffed, placed in a police car and ticketed for two petty offenses by Federal Protective Services officers who were checking passengers' identification Sept. 26 aboard a Regional Transportation District (RTD) bus at the Federal Center stop.
..< SNIP >..Several things bothered her about the ID checks. She wasn't entering a federal building or even leaving the bus. The officers barely glanced at the passengers' ID cards and didn't check them against a master list. The whole exercise struck her as "just Big Brother watching you," she said.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
At least he didn't ask for your ID.
""If you can't be IDed on a bus, then you can't be bag-searched getting on the subway, either""
You can be both, depending on specifics of the situation.
If a captured terrorist claims an accomplice is readying to board the metro with an explosive device, the authorities are placed at all entrances and exits to check bags, this is not allowed? Under what premise? Are there bag checks for folks who tour the whitehouse? No backpacks allowed at 4th of july celebration on the Mall?
The list is endless. The point is there is no violation of rights because there is no requirement to tour the whitehouse, etc. Andrews AFB airshow is another example. Everything checked to get in. If I don't like it, I don't go. I certainly don't sue someone about it...
I believe the consitutionality of traffic stops has been upheld because I would imagine in balance the benefit outweighs the cost. There is no probable cause there. Where is the line drawn at having to provide evidence (documents)of who you are, in some cases??
What on earth is happening to the America I used to know?
"What on earth is happening to the America I used to know?"
The indoctrination strategy of homosexuals, marxists, socialists, islamic fundamentalism, the lust for power at the cost of the needs of the citizenry, just to name a few.
Freedom does have its price.
Hmm. Touchy subject. I'm really not sure what the point is of checking the ID of everyone on the bus even if they aren't getting off. I wonder if they are concerned about where the bus will pass near on that property. It sounds like the bus is on federal property. If that's the case it's unlikely that the officer's requirement of her showing identification is unlawful.
If the order isn't unlawful, she doesn't have the right to ignore it just because she feels it is intrusive. It seems like she could have picked a better way to try and get this proceedure changed.
I think that the prosecutor is going to have to charge her even if they decide to change the proceedure. She lied to the officers on several occasions before finally refusing to comply. If they don't charge her it could undermine their ability to demand identification of people comming onto federal property.
However, I'm curious why they were checking IDs of people who weren't getting off the bus. I don't see how that addresses any threat that person on the bus might pose unless the bus travels by something on the way out that it didn't go by on the way in.
Either I'm missing something significant or this is a stupid proceedure. However, disobeying lawful orders of law enforcement officials isn't the right way to fight stupid prodeedures, and I doubt that the courts are going to find the proceedure to be unlawful.
The prosecutor may decide not to prosecute, but if the prosecution goes forward, I'm guessing she's gonna lose.
That's true.
Where is the line drawn at having to provide evidence (documents)of who you are . . .
A grandmother minding her own business on a city bus seems like a pretty good one.
If you're traveling through a federal center, I don't have a problem with a requirement for ID.
""A grandmother minding her own business on a city bus seems like a pretty good one.""
She is 50 years old, yes? (hope i'm correct on that) A 50 year old can kill people. It's convenient to keep using the euphamism "grandma", and in a sterile world I would agree with you. A grandma minding her own business. I just don't think for a second this incident is that simple. Seems to be some missing info. Oversimplifications for the sake of arguing a point can easily lead down the road of logical fallacy....
Why would ID be required for traveling through a federal center?
Ask the people in Oklahoma city.
And if the story is basically complete?
Oversimplifications for the sake of arguing a point can easily lead down the road of logical fallacy . . .A 50 year old can kill people.
You think?
The America you used to know must be destroyed for the good of the State.
Please tell me your kidding. You serioulsly can't think of a reason entering a federal facility might be restricted?
Let's see. Granny drives up in a rental truck. Granny rides the bus. Nah, no different in threat potential. Granny can sure pack a lot of fertilizer in her purse.
I am sure I can come up with a list of 50 year olds who have killed people if this is what you are asking..and even some who are grandmothers with grandchildren....
If not, then yes, "I think"
What about Tookie Williams? He is a nobel laureate? (I may be mistaken on this but you get the point). So if you refer to him as a prize winning author, sounds real good. If you refer to him as a fiend who slaughtered 4 people, sounds a bit different.
I say that I wish that it could be arranged, that the victims of the next terrorist attacks in the U.S., could be limited to the people that fear "Big Brother" more than they fear terrorists.
Entering the facility? Did she get off the bus? But OK, why should a federal facility be restricted?
"Okay you old biddies... WHERE ARE YOUR PAPERS?!"
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