Comments on: because reading is fundamental(ist)

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 13:44:07 +0000

That’s my point, though. The TSA authorizes that same screener guy to make a decision like that at any time, and offers no course of action if he’s wrong. That’s like saying that a traffic cop can decide at any point to stop and search your vehicle, then confiscate items because he decided your activity (say, talking on a cell phone) was dangerous. Not because you’re actually breaking a written law, but because _the officer decided_.

As we’ve seen both from history and from recent events at the borders, giving officers this kind of leeway often leads to harrassment. It’s too much power, and that’s why the Bill of Rights specifically prohibits it.

By: Deana

Deana — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 04:16:15 +0000

Sounds from the rest of the comments on the site that it was books of matches, not books. The screener guy was confused.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 18:40:14 +0000

Absolutely. I expected them to declare the femur a “potential weapon”.

I’m just glad that we know (for sure!) that knitting needles are officially on the allowed list. Now K can knit with confidence!

By: deb

deb — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 18:35:07 +0000

I like whatsinhisbag!

~d who loves the bill of rights and remembers when “probably cause” became “reasonable doubt”