Saturday, December 10, 2005
Reason #44 not to ride transit
Denver-area resident Deborah Davis was arrested for refusing to show government identification while riding a public transit bus. The bus happened to go through the "Federal Center" in Lakewood, Colorado, and even though she was not getting off the bus at the Federal Center, she and all other passengers were told they must show ID.
The good news is that the U.S. Attorney in Denver has decided not to prosecute Ms. Davis. The bad news is that passengers on this bus are still required to show their ID. In fact, when a bus full of protesters refused to show their ID, Denver's transit agency compliantly provided an "auxiliary bus" for people who were willing to show ID so they could get to their destinations. Ms. Davis is no longer a passenger on that bus, or any bus, having lost her job due to being late because she was arrested.
Lakewood's Federal Center houses various agencies such as the Forest Service and National Archives. These are not exactly critical to our national security. But a recent order came down that anyone entering a federal facility must show identification. Since the bus technically entered the federal facility on a public roadway, security guards began boarding the bus and demanding that everyone present their id.
Ms. Davis initially did so, then realized that "this is not a police state" and decided to stop showing it. Several guards dragged her off the bus, handcuffed her, and arrested her. At the police station, she was later told that if she ever entered the Federal Center again she would go to jail.
"The 9-11 hijackers were asked for their IDs too," Jon Caldera points out. "Having them didn't stop what happened." "In a free country, citizens have no obligation to explain themselves to the government as they go about their daily lives," says Jacob Sullum. "It's the government that owes us an explanation."
The good news is that the U.S. Attorney in Denver has decided not to prosecute Ms. Davis. The bad news is that passengers on this bus are still required to show their ID. In fact, when a bus full of protesters refused to show their ID, Denver's transit agency compliantly provided an "auxiliary bus" for people who were willing to show ID so they could get to their destinations. Ms. Davis is no longer a passenger on that bus, or any bus, having lost her job due to being late because she was arrested.
Lakewood's Federal Center houses various agencies such as the Forest Service and National Archives. These are not exactly critical to our national security. But a recent order came down that anyone entering a federal facility must show identification. Since the bus technically entered the federal facility on a public roadway, security guards began boarding the bus and demanding that everyone present their id.
Ms. Davis initially did so, then realized that "this is not a police state" and decided to stop showing it. Several guards dragged her off the bus, handcuffed her, and arrested her. At the police station, she was later told that if she ever entered the Federal Center again she would go to jail.
"The 9-11 hijackers were asked for their IDs too," Jon Caldera points out. "Having them didn't stop what happened." "In a free country, citizens have no obligation to explain themselves to the government as they go about their daily lives," says Jacob Sullum. "It's the government that owes us an explanation."
Comments:
All motorcars and trucks were stopped at the Holland and Lincoln tunnels going into New York City for weeks after 9/11. Buses were allowed to go right through without any inspection.
You should have seen the line of cars waiting at the tunnel to be inspected. These type of searches happen to the motorist more often than those using public transportation.
REASON 45 NOT TO OWN A MOTORCAR ---- Seaches that may result in capturing terror suspects.
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You should have seen the line of cars waiting at the tunnel to be inspected. These type of searches happen to the motorist more often than those using public transportation.
REASON 45 NOT TO OWN A MOTORCAR ---- Seaches that may result in capturing terror suspects.
