@#&%*@( MBTA wankers and bag checks

[juldea]

Now the MBTA is going to institute "random" bag checks. This is getting even more media/actual quotes from MBTA officials than the ID checks, so I'm guessing it's really going to happen. *expletive*

Anyone who doesn't ride the T regularly and wants to donate sex toys or porn for me to carry around in my backpack daily, JUST IN CASE, let me know. Especially if you have something... unusual.

That is, until I figure out some other way to get to work, or get another job that doesn't require MBTA transit, or they quit doing this, or something.

Comments

[diego001.livejournal.com]

The MBTA: finding new and exciting ways to violate the Fourth Amendment!

[scirocco.livejournal.com]

I'm curious, since they're looking for explosives, what will they do if they find the knife that I sometimes carry in my bag? See, a BIG old can of worms here, this is.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

What will they think of my knitting needles? :P

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

Why not just carry this (http://www.securityedition.com/)? Might get the message across. Highlighting #4 in red crayon is optional.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

I did mention that elsewhere in this thread (http://www.livejournal.com/users/juldea/545016.html?thread=2433528#t2433528). :)

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

LJ was so slow that I submitted the *wrong* comment text for this comment...too many tabs open.

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

galaneia just had hers confiscated at the airport. We are *NOT* amused.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

her knitting needles or her security edition bill of rights?

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

Her needles, with knitting attached. After already going through security -- this was at the gate in Glasgow. Along with her favorite fountain pen. Because obviously she is going to high-jack an airliner with a fountain pen. (says security drone: "But it's *sharp*!!!")

No, she still hasn't gotten them back yet.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Man.

I am not amused either.

[alendres.livejournal.com]

Hmm, now hold on a second, I'm pretty sure the laws regarding searching people are firmly laid down in your county, are they not?

OTOH, if you've got nothing to hide...


Bah, conundrum.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Not a conundrum. "If you have nothing to hide, that means I should be allowed to violate your privacy"? Hell no!

[waya3k.livejournal.com]

If MBTA was a private institution they would have no problem in instituting this. However if they are a government or publicly funded entity I see this as changing. However, it does bring up the question on the constitionality of searches of bags and stuff at federal airports. Aren't they essentially doing the same thing?

[juldea.livejournal.com]

It all comes down to the question of reasonable suspicion. I don't horribly mind x-rays of my luggage because you can't tell much from the x-rays, and I don't feel my privacy is being violated. If there's something in a suitcase that comes up BOMB on an x-ray, then there's reason to be suspicious of that bag and search it. Probable cause, etc.

So I'm curious what the MBTA's ways of determining whose bag gets searched are. I won't mind a dog sniffing my backpack. I will mind it if an MBTA cop stops me for no reason I can discern to take the contents of my backpack out.

[waya3k.livejournal.com]

So it is a question of how far...It would be okay for you if MVTA set up x-ray machines and did it that way but random, "Could you open your bag for me." is what you strongly oppose? I can understand that and frankly I agree.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Yup, that'd be okay with me. And if that's what they do with the dogs, that's cool I suppose... have dogs sniff bags and if it barks, have that person open their bag... Of course a dog is a lot more subjective than a x-ray machine. :P

Options

[cristovau.livejournal.com]

donate sex toys or porn for me to carry around in my backpack daily

There are other forms of embarrasment resistance that might work;
1) Something that smells. Blue cheese or something.
2) A kids toy that talks "Hee hee, that tickles"
3) A Pinup "The Men of Islam" calander or maybe "The men of the MBTA?"
4) A joy buzzer or mousetrap
5) A pouch of loose tea, but Earl Gray, clearly tea upon inspection.
6) The constitution (OK, a copy of it)
7) Mien Kampf but as a gift to the inspector. For bonus points, inscribe it, "Thanks for helping me squash personal freedom. Frisk some dirty towelheads for me - Kisses, Adolf"

Some of those are plain mean, but hell, comedy and activism hurts.

Re: Options

[oddharmonic.livejournal.com]

I'd donate the Tickle Me Elmo Surprise we have... or the Chicken Dance Elmo (not as soft, but the song is so terrifying we took the batteries out after a month).

Re: Options

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Or a Security Edition (http://www.securityedition.com/) of the Bill of Rights.

I like 3, 6, and 7 a lot.

When school starts again:

[tragicstory.livejournal.com]

I shall spend $300 USD and be carrying a real chinese skull around. I might even put a wig and lipstick on it.

Re: When school starts again:

[juldea.livejournal.com]

You're awesome.

[shogunhb.livejournal.com]

This shit pisses me off to no end. What the fuck is this country coming to?

[juldea.livejournal.com]

We have nothing to fear but anyone who doesn't wave an American flag, kiss Bush's butt, and gladly give up every semblance of freedom they have to the whim of the government.