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Unreasonable Searches When Going to Work?
Chico Science asks: "I'm a scientist, not a lawyer, so I'm a little beleaguered by the fact that since 2001-Sep-11, I have been forced to submit to searches on my campus as I enter buildings. I work at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, and have been shouldering the burden of increasingly draconian security measures. Most recently, they've instituted a policy of 100% bag/package searches on entering buildings. Initially it didn't bother me, but after having my bag searched on my way to my car (which was also thoroughly inspected) after work, I decided I'm not comfortable subjecting myself to searches of my personal belongings at every turn. I want to know if I have a right to refuse searches? And why should it be considered acceptable for me to relinquish my Fourth Ammendment rights so I can go work on in my lab?" In this climate of increasing security consciousness, how far can vigilance go before it becomes an invasion of our rights?
While manual checks like this can be somewhat cumbersome they beat the socks off of an automated (national ID card) system. In short I'd much rather take a little time out of my day for time consuming but decentralized security measures than be subject to more efficient centralized systems. Unfortunatly I think it likely that we will be forced to comply with both types. doh
hmmmmmm dohnuts.....
When will the American public (especially the /. crowd) realize the rights guarenteed by the government are guarentees regarding government behavior. Any company can do WHATEVER it wants to limit "free speech" or so forth except what is limited by law. This is an extension of freedom, not a limit of it. You, personally, can choose not to abuse private property, etc.
You don't like it, quit.
You work in a (target) sensitive (target) government (target) facility (target).
If not for those (prophylaxis) searches (diligence), there's no telling (anthrax) what (ebola) might (plague) get (guns) through (bombs).
So stop your whining. I'm sure you took a low-paying government job because you like the job security and the pension plan, but you also took on a responsibility to the public--which includes you--and a risk in case of war.
You're not contracted to the military, so you have the privilege of leaving your job at your pleasure.
--Blair
It's time to wake up and stop worrying so much about the inconvience of being searched. Yes, I understand the concerns about your civil liberties. Remember though that many liberties are balanced against each other when dealing with the Constitution. Most cases in front of the Supreme Court are about striking a balance between clashing liberties. In my opinion, the right to LIFE as stated in the Bill of Rights, outways the issue of searching your belongings as you enter and exit a government facility.
;)
If we want to be safe in our country, we need to think about this: would you be pissed about the government letting some terrorist into a facility with a bomb or some Anthrax and killed some of your co-workers? would you be pissed if a terrorist stole some biological materials from a government facility and used them to kill your family? If the answer is yes, then you have to have searches. If the answer is no, then you're a liar.
First of all, the NIH should be a private org. making you a freeloader living on the taxpayer dole. Rights? Yes, you have a right to get another job.
Yes, you Israelis are probably the worst terrorists on the face of earth right now. Of course you should be searched.
It's just a pity US & GB are bombing Afghanistan and not Israel. Seriously.