Thanks to the handful of you who showed up at the San Antonio International Airport on Wednesday to protest the body scanners and invasive searches conducted in the name of security.  If our purpose were to make a statement concerning what we see as both ineffective and unconstitutional wastes of time and money, then we made our points.  Press coverage was positive, and featured several sound bites as to why we believe these procedures are wrong; the passersby and those arriving at the airport were encouraging with their support; and the San Antonio police were respectful of our efforts.
Judging from its responses on other issues the American public feels strongly about (e.g., healthcare, stimulus spending, a mosque at “ground zero,” etc.), the current Administration is bone deaf or simply doesn’t care what we think.  Its response to this issue has been no different.  Has it thought of looking elsewhere to learn how other countries effectively conduct airport security?  (Try Israel, which has more than a passing concern on the topic.)  Has it thought of consulting the Constitution of the United States?  (The Fourth Amendment reads, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”)  Or how about Article 1 of the Texas Constitution?  (It states, “The people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers and possessions, from all unreasonable seizures or searches, and no warrant to search any place, or to seize any person or thing, shall issue without describing them as near as may be, nor without probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation.”)
It’s truly sad that this Administration is tone deaf to the American people and out of step with a strict interpretation of the Constitution which they are to be protecting and through which they are to be administering.  What’s also sad is many Americans do not see the insidious erosion of their liberties as government at all levels overreaches its rightful responsibilities.

For more on this topic, read The Heritage Foundation’s thoughts.

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