THE STATE OF RIGHTS IN AMERICA

One of the greatest things about America is that we have clearly identified rights and the government has clearly identified limits. As long as Americans aren't falsely yelling "Fire!" in a crowded movie theater or lying about someone for profit, Americans can say whatever they want. No matter what the circumstance, police can't search the home of an American unless another branch of the government has granted a search warrant. Americans also have practically unlimited rights in the realm of religious freedom, and the right to bear arms is guaranteed in such a way that we Americans could take up arms and overthrow our own government if it became oppressive and began to deny inalienable rights.

Recently I've seen two news stories that disturb me and show that even some people in power don't have a correct understanding of the rights of citizens. One alarming statement that I've read came out of the mouth of Missouri Senator Kit Bond during a debate about the telecommunications immunity bill. During the start of President Bush's War on Terror, the executive branch engaged in unauthorized wiretapping of American citizens and the phone companies did not stop them, and in some cases they even helped the government.

The consequence of this is that some people were wrongly spied upon and a lawsuit was brought against several telecommunications companies for allowing this warrantless wiretapping.

Kit Bond thinks that going along with this wiretapping was just fine and dandy. On the floor of the senate he was quoted as saying:

"I'm not here to say that the government is always right, but when the government tells you to do something, I'm sure you would all agree that I think you all recognize that is something you need to do," Bond said. (Link)

Sorry Kit, but I disagree with this attitude. As Americans it is our patriotic duty to understand our rights and the U.S. constitution and to question the government when it overstep its boundaries.

A second item that further illustrates how the executive branch has begun expecting citizens to fall into line and not question its policies is the recent decision by the Transport Security Administration to deny the right of passengers to fly if they refuse to show their ID. The Gilmore vs. Gonzales Supreme Court decision asserts that Americans have the right to flight and travel without showing identification. Thank God I'm not a citizen of a nation that can request ID on command or restrict my travel based on status, class, or political whims! But the irony is found when you look at the TSA's recently changed rules:

Beginning Saturday, June 21, 2008 passengers that willfully refuse to provide identification at security checkpoint will be denied access to the secure area of airports. This change will apply exclusively to individuals that simply refuse to provide any identification or assist transportation security officers in ascertaining their identity.

This new procedure will not affect passengers that may have misplaced, lost or otherwise do not have ID but are cooperative with officers.(Link)

If you have forgotten your ID, you can still get on the plane, but if you assert your right to travel without showing identification, you will not be allowed to fly. Golly, I hope the bad guys don't think of lying in order to get around this restriction. None of them would be that smart.

It is a tragedy when Americans who assert a right are punished while criminals who lie can continue to roam freely. Especially since the criminals have to take off their shoes, go through the metal detector, and have their bags searched before boarding, if the TSA has done its job properly the jet-setting criminals shouldn't be much of a threat.