The Barr Code

By Antineocon

February 22, 2008 7:18 AM | Link to this

Once again, our federal government is finding additional ways to make itself look good at the price of our freedom and right to privacy. When will this madness end? As Bob points out, if the “bomb dog” alerts on a ticket holder’s scent, will they conduct a more thorough search or just send the passenger on their way? Does this make sense? Wake up. people!

By Bosch

February 22, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this

Amtrak is JUST NOW implementing a search plan? That is what makes no sense. Albeit Amtrak is not as much as a security threat as an airliner, but still, random searches are pointless. If they want to make it real, they need to implement a full-scale security screening system.

By Gene

February 22, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

It’s interesting that we (as a people and country) are now considering letting college students carry guns to let them protect themselves from the potential shooter but not on an airplane or train to protect from the potential terrorist? Not necessarily advocating carrying guns but with this whole security application surrounding air and rail travel I have always thought we are treating the symptom and not the disease.

By Robert Barr

February 22, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this

This is just a bunch of worthless window-dressing, just like airport screening. When the airport screeners find a container with more than 3 oz of any liquid substance in your carry-on, they give it to the bomb squad, right? Wrong. They throw it in a trash bin sitting next to them. Any person bent on causing problems via our modes of transportation can work around these “measures” blindfolded.

By Noelle

February 22, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

Amtrak certainly needs some kind of passenger security checks, considering how easy it is at this point to get on a train, leave a bag, and get right back off again. Considering the number of prime target locations where stations are located (the Chicago station is directly below the Sears Tower), it’s appalling that Amtrak doesn’t so much as check passenger IDs at boarding.

However, I agree with Bob that this “random search” program won’t mean a hill of beans. Either subject everyone to airline-like security checkpoints, or don’t bother.

By GaLiberal

February 22, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

This is just another typical Rethuglicon ‘protecting you against the evil terrorists’ do nothing measure. All the screenings and the searches in the world will not stop a person bent on killing people. All it does is make it harder on everyone regardless if they are just trying to go between point A and point B. All this hype about terrorist and terrorism is just more of the same Rethuglicon scare tactics and lies. Take the liquids ban for example. How does three ozs of water constitute a terrorist threat? It doesn’t, but the TSA/KGB/Gestapo says it does so now you have to either drink up quick or throw it away. Are we an safer today than yesterday? No, but the illusion of safety is working quite well. At least it go Bush re-elected. Proof there’s a sucker born every minute.

When you vote Rethuglicon, you vote against your own best interests. And random searches are living proof.

And so is Bob ‘Impeachment’ Barr.

By Terry Lawler

February 22, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

Screening on AMTRAK trains makes no sense. Last time I checked the vast majority of AMTRAK routes are on freight routes with both transportation modes passing eachother continuously. Unless you also institute some system of checking freight trains and the whole railroad infrastructure for explosives, focusing on AMTRAK passengers only covers a minor percentage of the terrorist exposure to this mode of transportation. Window dressing. Dumb, dumber, dumbest!

By court_fanatic

February 22, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this

I traveled on Amtrak from Atlanta to Washington, D.C. (for the first time) last month and was stunned at the absence of any gate security at either Atlanta or D.C.! However, I think the government’s newest plan to randomly search bags is ridiculous. Either search them all or search none at all.

By zeke

February 22, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

Well Bob, I have thought over the past couple of years that you may have lost your mind! In the last year, with help of your opinion pieces, I confirm that you have! Join Carter and the other mindless idiots, but, leave the American public out of it!!

By Dusty

February 22, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

Well, I am not fond of any kind of search. But, if I have to choose, I’ll take a search any day over being bombed, poisoned or infected with anthrax.

Homeland Security is trying to discourage terrorist activity on public transportation. On trains, they are doing it in the mildest sort of way so as not to discourage the public.

So take your pick. We still have enemies out to get us. The terrorists prefer that we have NO homeland defense. Maybe you like to make it easy for them. I don’t.

By Copyleft

February 22, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

Sure, Dusty. I mean, why worry about freedom when there’s Bad Guys who might hurt us?

We need more “brave patriots” like you, that’s for sure.

By Bosch

February 22, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

Dusty,

I know you might find this a bit surprising, but I agree with you. I don’t mind being searched, or even someone listening in on my phone calls. The last thing I think anybody wants is to get torn to bits by a bomb.

The problem I have is the legality of the techniques, because I think the law needs to be upheld, and if the laws need to be “tweaked” a bit, then it needs the attention of all parties.

And if companies like Amtrak and the airline companies are going to increase security, then do it for REAL, not just some smoke screen to make people feel better.

I think most Americans realize that some sacrifice is required on our part, just do it legally and don’t give us fluff.

By Track Star

February 22, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

They are long overdue. I was on a train from Phoenix to Miami once and there was a layover in New Orleans. Their policy was to search the cars with drug sniffing dogs when the 2 hour layover began. I was a college student with hardly a dime to my name back then and did not get off the train to spend time having a drink on Bourbon Street. Instead i watched 7 undercover officers scouring the area, and finally bringing a beagle on board to do the search. Much to my surprise the dog sniffed all around me and sat down next to me, a tell tale sign there is “drugs” in the vicinity. They seemed to leave my area and go towards the back of the car, when at the very last second, when the passengers were returning on board, one of the officers came up to my isle and began gathering a young man’s valuables directly next to me. I had a few conversation with this guy, and he had been telling me that he was on his way to Florida to see his grandma, who was dying. They retrieved his duffels and headset and other stuff, and promptly left the train. As they were walking off, the young man returned to see men looking thru his things on the floor outside the train, and he said “hey, that’s my stuff you have there!!” Inside they found 12 kilos of cocaine and 85,000 in cash, and two pistols. They thought I was with him, since other passengers were quoted as saying I was associating with him for 2 days before NO. I was questioned when I arrived in Miami by the authorities. Strip searched and hooked up to a lie detector and physically abused. I sued the city of Miami for 25,000. My only regret is not forcing him off the train in Texas, and making away like Dillinger. Finally Amtrak is on the watch, nice going, better late than never.

By Dumbing Down

February 22, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

Insanity! Profiling is the answer… not Gestapo shake downs!

By Dusty

February 22, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

Thanks, Bosch, I guess that was some kind of agreement.

Most people refer to the fourth amendment. They forget the word “resonable” in the fourth. During wartime, I think it is “reasonable” to give terrorists less chance of attacking us. The President agrees and says it is permissable.

Our Congress, now led by Democrats, wants a program as short as renting a library book. The President wants long term protection. He wants it before we are attacked. I agree with him.

Anyway, happy birthday. May your life be filled with happiness.

By Dusty

February 22, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

Copyleft,10:35

I believe there are a few more than one bad guy terrorist. You sit and wait for them. Surely, you would not fight. The terrorists will take care of freedom for you.

By Terry Lawler

February 22, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

Hey Track Star,

Next time take a bus. Then you would be the only one on board who DIDN’T carry a weapon or have drugs. Just don’t rest your head on that greasy spot on the window.

By Track Star

February 22, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

Terry Lawler

Who said I wasn’t carrying drugs, I was after all a student from ASU?

..and EW!!! to the greasy spot on the window comment LOL

Thanks for making my day!

By RvW

February 22, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

Yes, I’d agree with those that 99% of the so-called “security” measures are just doing something, anything, to show that they’re on the job. There’s also the big factor of political patronage, contracts, equipment to buy etc. And finally, “sheep” training for the general public to make them more docile and susceptible to the next ratchet upward of useless “security”.

By Nan

February 22, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

More useless window dressing. This is another example of the government putting on a show that’s meant to prove to the taxpayers they’re doing something when the reality is, as you noted, it won’t do a thing to stop a determined terrorist.

Besides, from what I’ve seen of Amtrak in the past few years, they don’t need to worry about terrorists — the system is falling apart on its own without outside help.

By Chris

February 22, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

I started taking the train precisely because I didn’t have to deal with the same BS as wasting hours at the airport.

THe wife and I recently went to NOLA from Ohio through Chicago. It was wonderful…because I just got on the train…had a good time. No checkpoints. No papers please. And no retarded rules about nail clippers and the size of our toothpaste and shampoo.

By Shawn

February 22, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

Reasonable security and searches are fine. Where I usually disagree with the current Occupant is that procedures should be rational, and citizens should have a means to dispute suspicion. They should not be subject to being arbitrarily declared “enemy combatants” or other titles and relieved of the right of habeus corpus or legal representation. Nor should they be placed on “No fly/travel” lists without some kind of overwatch and the ability to respond.

By GaLiberal

February 22, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

Dusty@11:58 says: During wartime, I think it is “reasonable” to give terrorists less chance of attacking us.

What Dusty seems to forget is that this unnecessary and reckless war is being fought in Iraq, not the US. So why are we worried about terrorists here when the war is over there? Fact of the matter is this isn’t about the war or making us safer. It’s just sold that way. I’ll bet Dusty buys all those time and money saving infomercial products, too.

Another thing is that ‘reasonable’ is a slippery slope. It’s been deemed ‘reasonable’ that people take off their shoes at airport security. So wouldn’t it be just as reasonable to make you take off your shirt and pants if you are behind a privacy screen? What about having to get a whole-body x-ray that exposes everything your packing including your package? Where does ‘reasonable’ end if it’s done incrementally? It doesn’t. Just look at the TSA/KGB/Gestapo. They have added ‘incremental’ changes to the regulations, but the over all effect has been significantly increased burden on travelers. None of this is based on ‘reasonable suspicion’ or any other standard; you do it if you want to get on a plane. So now anyone that flys is a terrorist suspect. Is this a great country or what!

When you vote Rethuglicon, you vote against your own best interests. And people like Dusty are living proof.

And so is Bob ‘Impeachment’ Barr.

If Dusty is willing to give up his rights not be

By Dusty

February 22, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

GA liberal @1:26

You need only a few words to make your point. That is: Rethuglicon and unnecessary and reckless war. You are against the war in which we fight. You also hate Republicans especially the Commander-in-Chief.

Neither WWI nor WWII were fought on mainland America. Are you saying they were unnecessary and reckless wars also?

I give up no rights. I fight for the most important one, freedom.

By Carrot Cake Man

February 22, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

In Europe, airport security is intended to make passengers safe. In the US, airport security is intended to make Americans AFRAID. Now they want to make Amtrak passengers afraid, too. I’m just surprised they waited this long. After all, it’s demonstrable the Bush regime wants to shut down Amtrak. This must be their sneaky new way to do so.