Don't like the TSA? Just don't fly. Oh... wait...

[funkfool]

Hope this isn't a duplicate post... I hadn't had a chance to read everyone's posts but I came across this:
http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews...lley-authority

That VIPR — pronounced, appropriately, “viper” — is not merely, or even primarily, about combating terrorism but about establishing government control is made clear by a statement from Godwin. Noting that western Tennessee is a heavily traveled area, Godwin said, “Everything from Wal-Mart merchandise to illegal drugs and illegal immigrants are transported through this area. Current interdiction units are doing a good job, but further coordinated inspections will only strengthen their efforts. If we prepare for the worst, then we are ready for almost anything.”

Illegal immigrants... uh, yeah. right. - like the .gov is going to prosecute that.

[cstone]

Larry Godwin, quoted in the above linked article is an employee of the state of Tennessee. The inspections they were focusing on took place at a roadside weight station where commercial trucks have been pulling off and "showing us your papers" for years.

As for comparing the TSA to the East German Stasi, that would be an insult to the ruthlessness and effectiveness of the Stasi.

As far as I am aware, no state in the Union has a "Shall Issue" law for driver's licenses. Regardless of what our different opinions are, no one in the USA has a Constitutional right to drive a vehicle on a public road. When you drive a vehicle on a public road you have already implied your approval and consent to abide by traffic laws including obeying lawful direction by law enforcement officers. Based on what most of us see everyday while driving on Colorado's roads, I'm not looking for less law enforcement and I sure would like to see more people obeying the existing traffic laws.

I personally think VIPR missions using TSA resources are pointless and a poor utilization of manpower.

[boulder888]

I seriously can't stand the "security theater" going on in airports these days. I'm only flying when it's required by work.

[cstone]

I seriously can't stand the "security theater" going on in airports these days. I'm only flying when it's required by work.

What would you do differently if you were responsible for aviation security?

[Irving]

As far as I am aware, no state in the Union has a "Shall Issue" law for driver's licenses. Regardless of what our different opinions are, no one in the USA has a Constitutional right to drive a vehicle on a public road. When you drive a vehicle on a public road you have already implied your approval and consent to abide by traffic laws including obeying lawful direction by law enforcement officers. Based on what most of us see everyday while driving on Colorado's roads, I'm not looking for less law enforcement and I sure would like to see more people obeying the existing traffic laws.

What part of random searches is lawful exactly? It doesn't matter if you are on a public road or not, the way to grant access to the use of public roads is by registering and insuring your vehicle, and by properly displaying your plates. You don't forfeit ANY rights by following registration rules.

[OneGuy67]

Cstone, I applaud you for your well worded and thought out comments and arguments. My apologies for getting the ATF in the wrong department; I knew the right answer, but wrote down the wrong one for some reason. I'm getting old, I guess.

I don't have the answers to your questions. I don't even have any good ideas. I just believe TSA was the wrong way in which to solve the issue and now that they are alive and existing, the monster will want to expand, and I do not want that (I say this as a gov't employee and LEO).

I do not believe that the next terrorist threat will be a repeat of 9/11 with aircraft. It will be something else. My thoughts fall to commerce and if the terrorists effectively put fear into American lives by taking away the security of commerce, then we will again experience shockwaves throughout our economy.

I've always thought that 5-10 suicide bombers, similar to what is experienced in Iraq or Afghanistan, in busy markets, would suffice to make that occur. Our markets? Malls. What would be the effect if there were 10 bombers placed in 10 different malls (say the food courts on a Saturday). What would be the effect? Would we be afraid to congregate in large numbers? Would we put metal detectors and security at the doors? Would people be afraid to shop? What devastation would that do to our economy?

[cstone]

I've always thought that 5-10 suicide bombers, similar to what is experienced in Iraq or Afghanistan, in busy markets, would suffice to make that occur. Our markets? Malls. What would be the effect if there were 10 bombers placed in 10 different malls (say the food courts on a Saturday). What would be the effect? Would we be afraid to congregate in large numbers? Would we put metal detectors and security at the doors? Would people be afraid to shop? What devastation would that do to our economy?

Agreed, the soft targets are the best targets. I also don't believe the next target will be the aircraft itself, but is more likely the airport. Rather than target a mall, initiate a bomb in the que at the checkpoint, or several different checkpoints around the country.

I know the ultimate answer is that life isn't safe and no one can make it safe. The government has set up a mindset among a significant portion of the population that it is in the business of providing security. Just like many other government services, many people become dependent and begin to demand more of those services.

Like many of you, I also believe that the government cannot defend all things. What things should be defended and who should be responsible for providing that security?

As for random searches along the highway Irving, the weight station searches are normally conducted by State Police and I will let some of the professional drivers here on the board provide some first hand feedback on the scope and limitations on the types of searches that can and are conducted routinely during these stops. I will say that the types of random searched mentioned in that news article are not focused on private, non-commercial vehicles. Other than highway border inspection stations (which can be 100 miles from the actual border) I am unaware of any searches being conducted of private, non-commercial vehicles. Border and administrative searches are handled differently than other law enforcement searches. This can be some pretty complicated areas of the law and even different courts see different types of searches differently. There are many types of searches that do not require a court ordered warrant. Most cops tread pretty lightly in searching anything unless they have training on the legality of different types of searches. Conducting illegal searches can be a quick way to become poor, unemployed, and a guest at the graybar hotel.

[Irving]

I've thought of some pretty scary things that would be retarded easy to do, and cause some real terror, but am afraid to talk about them.