MO: TSA detains official from Ron Paul group [harassed for carrying cash]

The Washington Times ^ | 2009-04-06

[rabscuttle385]

The Transportation Security Administration is investigating the detention and harassment of a Ron Paul organization official by airport screeners, an incident that was caught on tape at a St. Louis airport.

Steve Bierfeldt, director of development for Campaign for Liberty, was selected for additional screening after officials spotted a metal box in his luggage that contained a large amount of cash and checks made out to the campaign.

Mr. Bierfeldt was attending his organization's regional conference in St. Louis and said he was keenly aware, as the situation unfolded March 29, of a controversial report issued to Missouri law enforcement officials intended to identify members of radical militia members.

[rabscuttle385]

ping!

[wastedyears]

Here we go

[rabscuttle385]

"I don't believe I was legally required to tell them. Carrying cash is not a crime," Mr. Bierfeldt said. "It is a dangerous precedent if the government can order you to tell them where you get your money, and no law requires them to know where I work or where I spend my free time and where I go on vacation."

Asked whether his employment with Mr. Paul's committee prompted more scrutiny, Mr. Bierfeldt said: "I don't know, but it may not have helped that they were aware of where I worked.

"I was obviously with the campaign and I was aware of that report. I didn't want to tell them off the bat that I worked for the campaign and Ron Paul, because the report said we were potential members of the militia, and that's why I asked what my rights were," Mr. Bierfeldt said.

[cripplecreek]

At this point I would be a bit leery of transferring large sums of money electronically too.

[Doctor Don]

Steve B. should sue TSA for violating his civil rights! The TSA employees should be summarily fired!

[RKV]

Steve is a personal acquaintance and a good guy. Had him and 25+ Westmont students up to Winchester Canyon Gun Club for some trap shooting 2 years ago. Hope he sues the living bejezus out of these nimrods.

[dljordan]

“At this point I would be a bit leery of transferring large sums of money electronically too.”

Unless it was to the DNC or ACORN or pick your “progressive” group.

[Wisconsinlady]

I hope Ron Paul is helping Steve to pay for a huge legel defense fund right now to sue those bastards.

[PizzaDriver]

A major cause of the American Revolution was “Writs of Assistance”. These were general search warrants allowing servants of the crown to search where and when they desired. One major objection was that they allowed low-class law enforcement officers to bully their social “betters”. In a class-based society, this was a very big deal. E.g. Bostonian James Otis wrote in “Against Writs of Assistance” that: “... Fourthly, by this writ not only deputies, etc., but even their menial servants, are allowed to lord it over us. What is this but to have the curse of Canaan with a witness on us: to be the servants of servants, the most despicable of God's creation? “ Think of this the next time you deal with some thuggish security minion...especially One that believes that the A in TSA stands for Acorn!

[PizzaDriver]

TSacorn grabbed him for the “Cash and CHECKS”!

Any traveler carrying a few Cashiers Checks, from a winning weekend in Vegas, & some cash could be HELD, under this standard. Flying back to one’s new Home Town, with the Check from the sale of one’s prior home could be a No-No { for non-Pelosi worshippers }.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

"You want to play smartass, and I'm not going to play your f--ing game," the TSA official said.

Yep, that's about the level of professionalism I see with TSA every damned time I fly on business. I hope Ron Paul nails them to the wall.

[Dick Bachert]

[djsherin]

Ron Paul Ping!

[starlifter]

Disgusting.

[Straight Vermonter]

"As a general rule, passengers are required to cooperate with the screening process. Cooperation may involve answering questions about their property, including why they are carrying a large sum of cash. A passenger who refuses to answer questions may be referred to appropriate authorities for further inquiry," the TSA said.

Sigh...

[piytar]

What is really scary is that these TSA pukes are targeting people because of their affiliation with certain political parties. How long until “Republican” is added to the list?

Seems like a violation of civil rights - here the First Amendment right to association - under color of law...

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Waiting for the Paul bashers to side with the government.

[elkfersupper]

Thank George W. Bush for the TSA.

I feel so much safer now.

[BobL]

I wonder if they can arrest him for using a recording device...