Security vs. Liberty - Have we jumped the shark as a nation?

2013-12-26T00:32:22-05:00

This story:

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/12/25/federal-judge-rules-that-tsa-fbi-can-detain-and-arrest-you-for-carrying-arabic-flashcards/

Short Version:

A man was detained for many hours and had his personal property searched through at an airport because he was carrying flashcards with Arabic writing on them. Yes, there words also words like "bomb" and "terrorist" in the deck.

This is worrisome to me, personally, because, as a Soldier, I have been taught and expected to learn some rudimentary Arabic. Sometimes I fly commercial. It would not be unheard of for me to have similar cards with me.

As a private citizen, this absolutely crosses the line that separates reasonable search and seizure from paranoia on the part of the government. How far do we have to go before we are required to let the government search anything and everything in the name of "national security"?

Federal judge rules that TSA, FBI can detain and arrest you for carrying Arabic flashcards | The Raw Story

A former college student detained at Philadelphia International Airport after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials discovered he was carrying Arabic language flashcards lost his bid ...

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2013 10:03 AM

2013-12-26T10:03:18-05:00

Technically govt. has the right to search whomever for whatever they wish while utilizing air as a mode of transportation. The Constitution allows for the freedom of movement: "The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States." The issue is that you have the right to move between states any mode you choose, but the method of movement can be moderated. you have the right to forgo these searches by simply not flying.

There have been several court cases on these matters and all seem to come up the same: Although the constitutionality of airport screening searches is not
dependent on consent, the scope of such searches is not limitless. A
particular airport security screening search is constitutionally
reasonable provided that it "is no more extensive nor intensive than
necessary, in the light of current technology, to detect the presence of
weapons or explosives [] [and] that it is confined in good faith to
that purpose." Davis, 482 F.2d at 913.

I personally don't mind the security and the random checks because I expect it when flying. It is however bothersome when I am in full dress unifrom and get stopped for a random search, but then again I am sure there are people who fake the funk to try to get out of searches.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2013 12:53 PM

2013-12-26T12:53:47-05:00

“They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a
little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” – Benjamin Franklin
in the Pennsylvania Assembly’s Reply to the Governor (11 NOV 1755) 

At this point it looks like Ben Franklin would say we are
'getting what we deserve'.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2013 1:02 PM

2013-12-26T13:02:26-05:00

I think the TSA should be pulled back greatly. I do not see a point to all this searching plus with a the security leaks in an airport, it is just ridiculous how much actually gets by that TSA never sees. We need to rethink our security strategy. Standing the highest level of security for too long makes routine and routine is more dangerous than less security. We just need something different.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Apr 14 at 2014 9:40 PM

2014-04-14T21:40:34-04:00

Here is my opinion on this issue: We have tried to "Jump the shark" in this nation, and unfortunately we landed square in the jaws of the very same animal we are trying to avoid. " Those willing to give up liberty for security deserve niether and will lose both " Benjamin Franklin. Anyone care to play devil's advocate? Step up now I can take it.