Obviously, since there is little cabotage in the US, you can't take El Al domestically. However, I used them as an example of security that is too extreme for the minute level of additional safety it provides.
How are random searches un-American? Because they are done without probable cause. This flies in the face of the principles "innocent until proven guilty" and "no search without probable cause". The Supreme Court has ruled that similar checks are constitutional, just as there is no absolute guarantee of free speech via the First Amendment. However, these random checks severely cut into the spirit of the Fourth Amendment, even more deeply than false theater outbursts. They violate a person and his/her belongings with little benefit, along with the stigma of a presumption of guilt. Furthermore, no one is inconvenienced by not being able to scream fire in a theater. Random harassment is a huge inconvenience and it is causing severe economic damage to the airlines.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by anonplz:
Neither I nor anyone else to my knowledge ever stated they believed 100% security was possible. It's not.
Furthermore, if you are suggesting flying El Al from New York to Chicago via Tel Aviv, you are being outrageous. You make yourself look ridiculous debating this way. What is the point? I enjoy debating with people, but not being badgered and flamebaited.
Finally, how exactly is a random "harassment," better known as random security check, un-American? "It just is." Is that your argument? "Because I say so." "Because I'm louder than you."
As I've said before, I'm not the brightest person on FT, so I'm not getting the connection between lack of random security check and America. Please explain.
If the contention is it's illegal search and seizure, would you agree that yelling "Fire" in a crowded theater is sanctioned by the First Amendment?
[This message has been edited by anonplz (edited 09-21-2002).]</font>
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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry
[This message has been edited by Spiff (edited 09-21-2002).]