TSA VIPR Teams Searching Cars/Trucks

[TechMan]

http://www.krgv.com/news/local/story/Authorities-Conduct-Random-Inspections-at-Port-of/7beCpszvaEmkasNenRgu3w.cspx

TSA VIPR Teams searching cars and trucks entering and leaving the Port of Brownsville.  It was a random inspection and not related to any threat.

I wonder why this was just a blip on the news radar screen.  (We really need a sarcasm smiley.)  I guess the TSA has decided it is going to take the T in its name literally.  Any guess in what year random TSA check points will be set up on interstates?

[Fly320s]

Is TSA a law enforcement agency?  I don't think they are, so how can they stop and search vehicles?

[Tallpine]

Is TSA a law enforcement agency?  I don't think they are, so how can they stop and search vehicles?

Going to be one hell of a fight one of these days 

[Fly320s]

Going to be one hell of a fight one of these days 

I can see it happening.

[zxcvbob]

http://www.krgv.com/news/local/story/Authorities-Conduct-Random-Inspections-at-Port-of/7beCpszvaEmkasNenRgu3w.cspx

TSA VIPR Teams searching cars and trucks entering and leaving the Port of Brownsville.  It was a random inspection and not related to any threat.

I wonder why this was just a blip on the news radar screen.  (We really need a sarcasm smiley.)  I guess the TSA has decided it is going to take the T in its name literally.  Any guess in what year random TSA check points will be set up on interstates?

They're already doing that: http://justpiper.com/2010/09/counter-terror-operation-operation-viper-stops-trucks-on-i-20-douglas-county-ga/

[wmenorr67]

You know it isn't so much the traffic going into our ports that bother me.  It is the untold hundreds if not thousands of containers that arrive that don't get searched that bother me.  I am still surprised to this day we haven't had another attack since 9/11.

[TechMan]

You know it isn't so much the traffic going into our ports that bother me.  It is the untold hundreds if not thousands of containers that arrive that don't get searched that bother me.  I am still surprised to this day we haven't had another attack since 9/11.

FTW!!!

[Ben]

You know it isn't so much the traffic going into our ports that bother me.  It is the untold hundreds if not thousands of containers that arrive that don't get searched that bother me.  I am still surprised to this day we haven't had another attack since 9/11.

Agreed, and one of the reasons I hate all the crap at airports when there are so many bigger and easier targets. Laden container ships are extremely difficult to search, and an explosion at the right time as a ship enters port will leave the port useless for a long enough time to have a severe economic impact on the US. Especially Los Angeles or whatever the port is in New Jersey (the two busiest port in the US I believe).

I was at a disaster prep drill at LA Harbor I think around six or so years ago where this type of scenario was simulated with two near simultaneous explosions - one on a container ship that left the port blocked, and the other on a tanker already in port that created a large concussion perimeter and created a ginormous oil spill. If I recall right, economic damage was in the hundreds of billions.

[mtnbkr]

You know it isn't so much the traffic going into our ports that bother me.  It is the untold hundreds if not thousands of containers that arrive that don't get searched that bother me.  I am still surprised to this day we haven't had another attack since 9/11.

That's why I think they blew their wad with 9/11.  There are too many holes for them to exploit if they had any decent amount of resources.  They threw a hail mary pass and connected, I wouldn't call that their normal level of excellence.

Chris

[lee n. field]

Is TSA a law enforcement agency?  I don't think they are, so how can they stop and search vehicles?

Even if they are, there's that whole "get a warrant" thing.  Or, doesn't that apply anymore?

[wmenorr67]

That's why I think they blew their wad with 9/11.  There are too many holes for them to exploit if they had any decent amount of resources.  They threw a hail mary pass and connected, I wouldn't call that their normal level of excellence.

Chris

But at the sametime a "small" attack at the right time and place would do a lot of damage to the economy and/or overall moral of the country.  In my travels I look at things like that I and think to myself if I wanted to make a show would this be something I want to attack and if so how.  Part of it goes along with my miltary job and training to look for stuff like that but at the sametime the terrorists aren't dumb either.  I could go list a dozen or so things right off the top of my head to attack to make a point.  Alot of people on here could more than likely do the same.

[wmenorr67]

Even if they are, there's that whole "get a warrant" thing.  Or, doesn't that apply anymore?

There usually are policies that state that by entering you are subject to search, just as going on a military base.  You give consent to search by entering.

[Fly320s]

That's why I think they blew their wad with 9/11.  There are too many holes for them to exploit if they had any decent amount of resources.  They threw a hail mary pass and connected, I wouldn't call that their normal level of excellence.

Chris

I think they blew their wad in the sense of they spent lots of time and money to prepare for that attack, but I don't think it was a lucky shot. They did what they meant to do.

NY and DC were targeted because those two cities are well known by everyone on Earth that has a TV or radio. Those two cities are high visibility targets and using airplanes as the attack point only increased the damage, drama, and attention of the attack. More damage or more widespread damage could have been done with conventional bombs, but the images of the aftermath would not have the same effect.

[Fly320s]

There usually are policies that state that by entering you are subject to search, just as going on a military base.  You give consent to search by entering.

That is true when entering the sterile area of an airport, or a ship port, or crossing a border, but it does not apply when driving down a highway. I'm not sure how it applies when entering public transportation such as a subway, bus, or train.

[MicroBalrog]

Remember: driving is a privilege, not a right!

By choosing to operate a motor vehicle you consented to a myriad of arcane rules.

You didn't want to? Well, maybe you should have... I don't know.... flown a plane.

[longeyes]

Are you sure it isn't living that isn't a privilege in the kind of society we're forging?

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

That is true when entering the sterile area of an airport, or a ship port, or crossing a border, but it does not apply when driving down a highway. I'm not sure how it applies when entering public transportation such as a subway, bus, or train.

  i think on a highway it might be a grey area   not so a port or terminal

[Tallpine]

There usually are policies that state that by entering you are subject to search, just as going on a military base.  You give consent to search by entering.

So is that also to be the case with federally funded highways 

 

[Chuck Dye]

I have had a TWIC for several years, though I have yet to use it, and have been subject to search on entry to ports but have yet to be searched.  As with airports, it is just so much security theater.  Given the ease with which trucks are stolen and driven, it is surprising that big rigs haven't been used by nut cases more than they have.  (The attack on the CA capitol draws hoots from truckers:  "You went after the government with powdered milk?" :rolleyes:)  You will get more sober responses if you bring up Tom Clancy's move of stopping and detonating a tanker full of gasoline on I-5 where it passes under buildings in Seattle.  

[AZRedhawk44]

So is that also to be the case with federally funded highways 

 

Yet more reason for States to build their own fracking roads.

[Balog]

AQ doesn't really think like that. They want big flashy symbolism that'll whip up the folks at home. "Look, these huge buildings are falling down" not "A ship is blocking traffic, and I promise that's a really big deal to the infidel. It's hurting their gdp!"

People assuming tribal religious fanatics think in the same cold economic issues a lot of the people here are talking about is the same mistake in reverse made by all the people who thought tribal primitives really want democracy.

[wmenorr67]

Imagine what a 3-5 man element armed with small arms could do at a sporting event, convention or even a going away or welcome home ceremony for military unit?

[nigmalg]

That is true when entering the sterile area of an airport, or a ship port, or crossing a border, but it does not apply when driving down a highway. I'm not sure how it applies when entering public transportation such as a subway, bus, or train.

I can easily see that logic extending beyond Ports and into public transportation. Hell, as others have already put it, public "highways". I believe there were stories posted here about VIPR doing searches at bus terminals.

• By driving on this roadway you consent to searches
• By walking on this sidewalk you consent to searches

What logical difference exists between a bus or train and a personal vehicle? What makes one more "reasonable" and outside the warrant requirement?

[wmenorr67]

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/funny/plea-deal-tsa-screener-assault-390182

Then there is this from the TSA.  During training for the full body scanner dude was shown to have a small penis and got tired of being teased for it.

[kgbsquirrel]

Remember: driving is a privilege, not a right!

By choosing to operate a motor vehicle you consented to a myriad of arcane rules.

You didn't want to? Well, maybe you should have... I don't know.... flown a plane.

Or taken a train? 



Don't worry, you can always retain your 4th amendment rights by walking to see your friends/family in that town 30 miles over.