Tuesday
Oct282008
"Show me your papers!"
Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 8:42AM
With the recent announcement by Washington DC's Metro Authority and Transport that the Transit Police have the authority to conduct random searches of passenger's bags, it begs the question: am I losing my rights here?
Who, exactly, gave them the authority? Is that even legal? According to whom, and why?
The threat levels are in a constant high state around Washington, DC, and in the coming days it is likely to be pushed even higher due to the upcoming election. The threat level is the reason given for the random searches. WMATA says they will be choosing a random number, such as thirteen, and they will check every thirteenth person that is carrying a bag large enough to carry explosives. They claim they will not pick people from the crowd that are acting suspiciously and target them. Really? How do I know that I was really the thirteenth person carrying a bag, and not that I was the one that was looking suspicious? Do I just believe you?
Certainly it's not that difficult to put into place a detection system that sniffs for explosives as Washingtonians and tourists alike wander through the Metro system. Bomb dogs could be brought out en force to slink throughout the plazas. But an arbitrary screening process, based on the counting ability of the Transit Police?
The idea is not only ridiculous (a person carrying something dangerous, or illegal, could simply meander back and forth until they can enter the system without being stopped) it's also making me wonder when the government is going to start stopping random people on the street and inspecting bags for no reason other than they can!
What country do I live in, again?
Who, exactly, gave them the authority? Is that even legal? According to whom, and why?
The threat levels are in a constant high state around Washington, DC, and in the coming days it is likely to be pushed even higher due to the upcoming election. The threat level is the reason given for the random searches. WMATA says they will be choosing a random number, such as thirteen, and they will check every thirteenth person that is carrying a bag large enough to carry explosives. They claim they will not pick people from the crowd that are acting suspiciously and target them. Really? How do I know that I was really the thirteenth person carrying a bag, and not that I was the one that was looking suspicious? Do I just believe you?
Certainly it's not that difficult to put into place a detection system that sniffs for explosives as Washingtonians and tourists alike wander through the Metro system. Bomb dogs could be brought out en force to slink throughout the plazas. But an arbitrary screening process, based on the counting ability of the Transit Police?
The idea is not only ridiculous (a person carrying something dangerous, or illegal, could simply meander back and forth until they can enter the system without being stopped) it's also making me wonder when the government is going to start stopping random people on the street and inspecting bags for no reason other than they can!
What country do I live in, again?
Congress Reacts To Metro Crash
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) addressed Monday's fatal Washington Metrorail collision, saying that he and other representatives from Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. will meet with the appropriate officials to determine what can be done to prevent future accidents.
The Majority Leader was reluctant to attribute the crash to a lack of funding.
"I want to wait before jumping to a conclusion that this was a lack of money. We don't know yet whether this was a human error, computer error [or] equipment error," said Hoyer during a pen and pad session with reporters Tuesday. Wednesday, the Majority Leader announced that he and other legislators will attempt to secure an additional $3 billion for Metrorail.
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) requested to have the accident brought to the attention of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. According to a statement released by Norton earlier this week, a series of hearings will be held after the 4th of July recess.