TSA Changes Its Rules, ACLU Lawsuit Dropped 285
ndogg writes "Earlier this year, there was much ado about a Ron Paul staffer, Steve Bierfeldt, being detained by the TSA for carrying large sums of money. The ACLU sued on his behalf, and the TSA changed its rules, now stating that its officers can only screen for unsafe materials. With that, the ACLU dropped its suit. '[Ben Wizner, a staff lawyer for the ACLU, said] screeners get a narrow exception to the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches, strictly to keep weapons and explosives off planes, not to help police enforce other laws.'"
the more things change... (Score:3, Informative)
She said the directives would not be released unless a Freedom Of Information Act request was submitted by The Washington Times.
The law is not available for inspection, citizen. Now drop your pants.
Also: (Score:5, Informative)
TSA spokeswoman Lauren Gaches said the new "internal directives" are meant to ensure their screeners are consistent. She acknowledged the policy on large sums of cash had changed, but wouldn't provide a copy of either document. She said the directives would not be released unless a Freedom Of Information Act request was submitted by The Washington Times.
Fuck that.
Re:Constitution suspended then? (Score:2, Informative)
Re:In other news... (Score:3, Informative)
Re:$4500 a "large sum of money" for travel? (Score:3, Informative)
Most business travel stays within the domain the home currency, so that's irrelevant. And there are more fees than just currency conversion markups.
Re:$4500 a "large sum of money" for travel? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:$4500 a "large sum of money" for travel? (Score:2, Informative)
Re:B 'fing' S (Score:4, Informative)
You know who I blame for this? YOU(me). When was the last time any of us rioted in the streets to stop this kind of BS? been a while huh? wonder why the Gov. can pass anything they like on a whim? The only people they answer to is themselves.
April 15th, July 4th, and September 12th. But it wasn't really a riot, and the numbers vary based on who is telling the story...
Re:Also: (Score:5, Informative)
If you think his ability to make changes is so great that he could have changed everything by now, you are a damn fool.
I don't think he can change everything, but the TSA is part of the Executive Branch.
Obama is the Executive. As Executive, he can issue "Executive Orders" telling them what to do.
Oh wait! He did! [whitehouse.gov]
January 21, 2009
...
All agencies should adopt a presumption in favor of disclosure, in order to renew their commitment to the principles embodied in FOIA, and to usher in a new era of open Government. The presumption of disclosure should be applied to all decisions involving FOIA.
The presumption of disclosure also means that agencies should take affirmative steps to make information public. They should not wait for specific requests from the public. All agencies should use modern technology to inform citizens about what is known and done by their Government. Disclosure should be timely.
This isn't a problem with Obama, it's a problem with the TSA and their culture of secrecy.
Re:Also: (Score:5, Informative)
This isn't a problem with Obama, it's a problem with the TSA and their culture of secrecy.
Sure sounds like it. The spokesperson essentially admitted that they would disclose it in response to a FOIA request and Obama's order essentially says that if it would be released under FOIA, then just release it now and skip the song-and-dance. The TSA complains that it is unfairly maligned, but insisting on the song-and-dance like that is exactly the kind of BS that makes people lose any faith or confidence in the agency that they might have had.
Re:Is it now legal to carry large sums of money? (Score:5, Informative)
Within the US, yes of course it is. Why wouldn't it be?
Look up how governments use civil forfeiture, and be enlightened.
Re:$4500 a "large sum of money" for travel? (Score:1, Informative)
The merchant pays a fee for every transaction and there is a minimum charge. In places like Peru this means the merchant would end up paying $1.00 for a $2.13 dinner. For this reason many merchants there charged extra for using a credit card.
Re:What if they find drugs? (Score:3, Informative)
The new directives don't affect a situation where a TSA officer, in the performance of a regular screening, comes across evidence of illegal activity, such as a bag of illicit drugs.
Re:Ok to carry drugs now? (Score:1, Informative)
From the very last line of TFA:
"The new directives don't affect a situation where a TSA officer, in the performance of a regular screening, comes across evidence of illegal activity, such as a bag of illicit drugs."
Re:three cheers for Steve Bierfeldt (Score:3, Informative)
"You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned, something that you later rely on in court, anything you do say may be used in evidence."
This caution must again be repeated at the start of every interview. Any interview conducted without this caution is inadmissible as evidence. On being arrested, you must be informed of the crime you are being accused of and read this caution. The only reason for not doing this is if it is not possible (for example, the suspect is unconscious). If the police do not arrest you, then they can not detain you. They may ask you to remain and, if you refuse, then they may (if they have sufficient grounds) arrest you, but if they don't arrest you then you are free to go.
After you have been arrested you are in the charge of the police officer and he is responsible for you until he hands you over to the custody sergeant or to some other officer. He may be required in court to account for your whereabouts and wellbeing until the point where he can prove that someone else took charge of you.
If the situation in the USA is really as different as you describe then perhaps you have greater concerns than the TSA...