[Arthur McGowan]

Two points:

1) The 4th Amendment prohibits UNREASONABLE searches and seizures—not “illegal” searches and seizures.

2) The 4th Amendment does NOT say that no search may be conducted without a warrant. Read it. Carefully.

[brent13a]

Two points:

1) The 4th Amendment prohibits UNREASONABLE searches and seizures—not “illegal” searches and seizures.

2) The 4th Amendment does NOT say that no search may be conducted without a warrant. Read it. Carefully.

You are correct.

....what was the alternative?

Agreed. The alarmists on FreeRepublic don't ever have an answer for this question though.

[Ken H]

2) The 4th Amendment does NOT say that no search may be conducted without a warrant. Read it. Carefully.

Are you saying the police did not need warrants in this case?

If that is not what you're saying, explain your point.

[Kartographer]

Searches with warrants. Were warrants issued? Warrants are grant with reasonable cause. Is the fact that a criminal was last seen in your neighborhood reasonable cause?

"When they forced their way into a neighbor's house I said nothing, because they where looking for terrorist."

"When they forced their way into my house looking for my guns no one said anything, because they said I was a terrorist."

I can not believe that FReepers condoning the forcing of innocent people from their homes at gun point with their hands above their heads as a good thing!

[Teacher317]

1) The 4th Amendment prohibits UNREASONABLE searches and seizures—not “illegal” searches and seizures.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated

What, precisely, is "reasonable" to you about shutting down an entire section of a city to search every single home, despite the fact that the police have NO reasonable expectation of finding their target in any of those homes? (And, of course, he was not found in a home.)

Detail exactly how allowing this particular search would prevent the police from doing a similar search for EVERY suspect from now on... or do you think that we should be kicked out of our homes (not exactly "secure in their houses" anymore, is it?) every time they want to find somebody, something, or just have a good time lording over the sheep? Is this "reasonable" to you?