blu3bird
Well-Known Member
http://thefreethoughtproject.com/congress-passes-bill-allowing-homes-searched-without-warrant/
Crazy times we live in.
Crazy times we live in.
Heads up if you're around metro D.C
- Thread starter blu3bird
- Start date
I'm really hoping this is incorrect.
blu3bird
Well-Known Member
The bill passed almost unanimously, no mention from the media.
I believe the article. I've been detained, searched and questioned before by some transportation agency agent, just for riding my mountain bike on railroad property. Those people don't fuck around, dude had a badge and a gun and assault rifle in his black Yukon. He wanted to know what I was doing by the railroad tracks, told me to get the hell out of there or be arrested.
I believe the transportation agency has something to do with federal government, they mean business and I imagine if they want in your house for any reason at all, they will go in, now without even a warrant
I believe the article. I've been detained, searched and questioned before by some transportation agency agent, just for riding my mountain bike on railroad property. Those people don't fuck around, dude had a badge and a gun and assault rifle in his black Yukon. He wanted to know what I was doing by the railroad tracks, told me to get the hell out of there or be arrested.
I believe the transportation agency has something to do with federal government, they mean business and I imagine if they want in your house for any reason at all, they will go in, now without even a warrant
tangerinegreen555
Well-Known Member
Shit thread is misleading as fuck.
They can go in your house if there's a gas leak nearby too. And dozens of other reasons.
They can go in your house if there's a gas leak nearby too. And dozens of other reasons.
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
You sure about the shit thread rating?
The shredding of your civil rights in the name of 'security' has become standard operating procedure since 9/11.
Why is it that citizens who live 'near' public transportation facilities (no difference limitation given) should automatically suffer the loss of one of their most basic constitutional liberties?
There was no mention of an existing emergency requirement as there would be for a gas leak.
tangerinegreen555
Well-Known Member
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
Sure looks like the public safety excuse is being stretched a bit far to me. This kind of excuse for the erosion of civil rights has been endemic to 'public safety' regulations for a long time.
If we only get our constitutional protections when the government feels like it, WE DON'T FUCKING HAVE THEM.
Is that clear enough for you?
tangerinegreen555
Well-Known Member
Lol. It's clear that's your opinion, not without merit.
I also see it as a little more complicated, and still insist the OP is misleading.
I think that's also pretty clear.
blu3bird
Well-Known Member
Exactly, where does it stop? Those transit/transportation agents, I believe are a federal branch of Homeland Security. I'm almost positive the guy I had a run in with had a vest in his Yukon that said Department of Homeland Security.
They can basically do whatever they want in the name of "safety". This bill could very easily be just an excuse to abuse their authority.
I'm not sure, but I also believe conservation officers can enter your house without a warrant, they need to believe you're illegally harvesting game animals though. Where as these transit/transportation officers can do it for any reason at all, you give these guys a hammer and now everything is a nail to them.
What's odd too, is the few congressman that voted against the bill are republicans lol, I would think democrats would vote against something like this.
blu3bird
Well-Known Member
Share your thoughts, I'm interested to hear your point of view. What's more complicated?
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st0wandgrow
Well-Known Member
The worst are the border crossing officers. Those fuckers have carte blanche to do as they please. Throw your 4'th amendment protections to illegal search and seizure right out the window when dealing with them. The part that most people don't know is that their powers extend 100 miles inland from any point along the border, so they can detain, search, and seize shit from people with little to no probable cause all over the damn place, not just at border crossings.
tampee
Well-Known Member
For real I drove through a border patrol checkpoint several times on 91 in VT they just ask if you are a US citizen and let you go, but if you're not they make you pull into the rest area.
This was also about a 2 hour drive to Canada from the check point.
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ttystikk
Well-Known Member
Exactly my point.
It seems those in most need of being watched are those we have charged with keeping watch.
Accountability. When it's gone, so is the rule of law.
Fogdog
Well-Known Member
Thanks,
It can't hurt to spend a bit more time reading up before starting with all the hype about freedoms lost.
It's not as if the DEA hasn't been busting people's doors down for bad reasons even with the requirement of a search warrant. Too many on this board have talked about illegal actions that never went punished either and let's not forget the reasons for the Black Lives Matter movement.
So, this new law. Is it for real according to that article? Will it pass constitutional tests in court?
I'm not disputing that @ttystikk is justified in his outbursts. He's been on bit of a hair trigger lately so maybe not the best source of advice. @blu3bird 's level headed though. So, yes I'm listening.
But a cooler and older head counsels checking facts. I'll go with him.
When I went to the government site to find out what the heck is going on, I found conflicting information.
In the details of the bill it's described as:
H.J.Res. 76: Granting the consent and approval of Congress for the Commonwealth of Virginia, the State of Maryland, and the District of Columbia to a enter into a compact relating to the establishment of the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission.
I'd be surprised if some of the Congressmen that I'm aware of who voted for it would give carte blanche to break down doors without a warrant anywhere.
Buried in the text, it says: Any Signatory may withdraw from this MSC Compact, which action shall constitute a termination of this MSC Compact.
From what I read, this can be ended upon the withdrawal of any of the two states or by Congress who holds signatory powers for DC. This is hardly a draconian law of the land. Any sign of scandal and any one of those two states can just say nuh uh. Ending the whole thing.
This was a vote to agree to H.J.Res. 76 in the House. This vote was taken under a House procedure called “suspension of the rules” which is typically used to pass non-controversial bills. Votes under suspension require a 2/3rds majority. A failed vote under suspension can be taken again.
If you are concerned, perhaps you can contact your Congressman and ask what the fuck were they doing when they passed it?
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/115-2017/h381
It apparently passed the senate unanimously. I'm not up on all the procedural stuff. The last lines in the Congressional Record reads:
Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Strange). Without objection, it is so
ordered.
Apparently these last few lines were enough to send the bill to the House where it passed on a floor vote.
So, if anybody is up on procedures, the Congressional record is found here:
The congressional record of the Senate transaction for this bill:
https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2017/05/16/senate-section/article/S2955-3
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blu3bird
Well-Known Member
Thanks Fogdog, it's nice to have civil discussion, even if sometimes we don't see eye to eye on everything.
Yeah this bill was deceptive, makes me wonder if congressman even read what they're signing off on half the time. Trump signed off on it, but we probably already know he didn't read it or doesn't even care anyways.
I wonder how long the law will last before someone fights it? That article says it's unconstitutional per 4th amendment. I would be so nervous if I lived around metro DC right now. Hopefully more people see this and raise hell with their congressmen.
I also think if this law goes unchallenged, it could be a slippery slope to other cities to try passing something similar.
@tangerinegreen555 , chime in man if you have time, I'm curious to hear your perspective. I respect your point of view
Yeah this bill was deceptive, makes me wonder if congressman even read what they're signing off on half the time. Trump signed off on it, but we probably already know he didn't read it or doesn't even care anyways.
I wonder how long the law will last before someone fights it? That article says it's unconstitutional per 4th amendment. I would be so nervous if I lived around metro DC right now. Hopefully more people see this and raise hell with their congressmen.
I also think if this law goes unchallenged, it could be a slippery slope to other cities to try passing something similar.
@tangerinegreen555 , chime in man if you have time, I'm curious to hear your perspective. I respect your point of view
tangerinegreen555
Well-Known Member
I just don't see this as a major issue.
The intent isn't for search and seizure. I own 2 properties. The township and utility companies have a right of way so many feet in.
Just the other day a guy in a flourescent green shirt walked through the middle of my back yard with a natural gas sniffer. My motion detectors picked him up and I went out and met him to see what was up.
He doesn't have to ask permission.
Once, the was a gas leak out front where the main is. They insisted on sniff checking the basement sewer drains around the leak (a few houses) to see if they were compromised.
There are times that people are allowed to enter your space. If you deny entrance, you're going to look like you're hiding something. If you're growing something in there, it's your responsibility to have your shit concealed well enough to survive a simple inspection for a gas leak or some other public hazard. I planned my grow room to survive simple emergencies.
It's also in your best interest not to blow up...or have your house burn down when smoke is billowing out of the ridge vent and the fire dept. wants to enter.
This law in the article isn't intended to catch illegal activity or infringe on your rights, and they already can enter your space if it's for public safety.
The intent isn't for search and seizure. I own 2 properties. The township and utility companies have a right of way so many feet in.
Just the other day a guy in a flourescent green shirt walked through the middle of my back yard with a natural gas sniffer. My motion detectors picked him up and I went out and met him to see what was up.
He doesn't have to ask permission.
Once, the was a gas leak out front where the main is. They insisted on sniff checking the basement sewer drains around the leak (a few houses) to see if they were compromised.
There are times that people are allowed to enter your space. If you deny entrance, you're going to look like you're hiding something. If you're growing something in there, it's your responsibility to have your shit concealed well enough to survive a simple inspection for a gas leak or some other public hazard. I planned my grow room to survive simple emergencies.
It's also in your best interest not to blow up...or have your house burn down when smoke is billowing out of the ridge vent and the fire dept. wants to enter.
This law in the article isn't intended to catch illegal activity or infringe on your rights, and they already can enter your space if it's for public safety.
Greenthumbskunk
Well-Known Member
I heard this the other day. Both Rep and Dem voted for it.
This shows you what I have been harping on... that their is very little difference in either party.
I'm glad you posted this as if I did they would not believe me.
Another thing that I do not agree with at all and that the Pres did was opening back up the giving military gear to cops.
Greenthumbskunk
Well-Known Member
Can you take the doors off your house? Live in a glass house? If you have nothing to hide you have nothing to worry about right???
Just another little bit of our rights taken away.
It is never about intent of the law it is about interpretation. We were told at first when they passed the patriot Act that it was just for terrorist. I was blowing phones up and on message boards telling for others to do the same as this was about the spying upon Americans.
Now what are they doing with it? Spying on Americans.