Originally Posted by dd992emo
Why isn't it a meaningful option?
If you don't understand why "don't fly, don't take a bus, don't take the train, don't drive" isn't a meaningful option, then I probably won't be able to explain it to you in any way that will convince you.
What civil liberties are you relinquishing by flying?
The right to travel around the country freely, without being forced to submit to unnecessary "papers, please" checkpoints.
Whether or not this is a Constitutional right (under the US Constitution), I think it is a civil liberty.
Is there some codicil in the constitution that says you don't have to identify yourself?
We could spend all day arguing over how the Constitution should be interpreted, but the Constitution is not the be-all and end-all of civil liberties. There are civil liberties that I consider damn important, but that are not explicitly listed anywhere in the Constitution.
It's fun talking about, but I couldn't care less if ID is required to fly or not.
That's fine. It's your right to not give a damn. I respect that, and I would defend your right to show ID if you prefer. All I'm saying is that not everyone feels the way you do -- and that people who do care consider this is an intrusion on their civil liberties, and one that seems unjustified.
Should my civil liberties be restricted to only those that you consider important? Should your civil liberties be restricted to only those that I consider important? If I don't care about the right to a speedy trial by an impartial jury, should that mean that you don't deserve one, either?