Posted on 09/22/2005 2:42:37 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
"If smugglers come in at midnite they should not be harassed?"
Then it wasn't a "safety check" was it?
Right. "A heightened sense of security", meaning the War on Terror that even el Presidente has said won't be over for decades.
From the article:
"The second boat owner who spoke to The Herald said his boat was searched after he challenged officers who were searching other boats, at 10:30 p.m. Sept. 2, and during the morning on following days. Told they were acting as Homeland Security officers, he asked what they were protecting the harbor from.
"Terrorists," he said he was told by the officers, who exhorted him to "remember the Cole," referring to the October 2000 attack by terrorists on the USS Cole that killed 17 sailors."
Yup, the Yemeni bombers were in this guy's bilge tank!
Your papers, NOW!
Suppose for a moment these were the real mccoy smugglers. Would you advise starting the search with the statement "We suspect you of smuggling, and we are going to look for drugs", or the non-confrontational "We would like to perform a safety inspection".
These LE guys would like to see noone get hurt, including themselves.
Do you think that customs officers should have to get a warrant to search someone crossing the border?
Family members of the "Coast Guard" should be subject to random searches with loaded machine guns pointed at them. This should take place at random times throughout the night or day. If this treatment is good enough for average citizens, it is good enough for the families. Just chalk it up to sensitivity training for the Homeland Security workers.
"Yup, the Yemeni bombers were in this guy's bilge tank!"
When the owner gets nasty about someone searching his bilge tank, yeah, I'd start wondering if that were the case.
Bottom line: admiralty law applies on navigable waterways, and has ever since the first days of the United States. If you don't like that, then renounce your citizenship and GTFOOMC.
"Do you think that customs officers should have to get a warrant to search someone crossing the border?"
He may be a Libertarian, who doesn't believe in enforcing the border.
Hell, maybe he has a profitable little sideline in drug and people trafficking.
Why should the boating public (often very wealthy) sass LE officers who must work to earn a living? Don't you believe they should be treated with respect too?
BTW, I would hardly call a safety inspection done respectfully as revenge, would you?
I bought a new boat and we were boarded by the Coast Guard within weeks of purchase. They were armed. We were told in our boating course that the Coast Guard could board and check the vessel for safety vests, flares, fire extinguishes, paperwork and any and all saftey violations.
We opened up our boat for them, we gave them the paperwork and they checked us out. The chances of someone hitting the bay bridge over the Chesapeake or any other bridge is on their mind. I thanked them for their service. One young man told me he seldom heard that from anyone.....they were professional. The water was a bit choppy and the vessels were tied together in open water. The guardsman took care to tie up carefully and protect our new boat with several bumpers. I am glad they are on the job. They have their hands full with nuts and drunks using boats.
The post 2000 freepers will see the necessity in this. I mean it is for the children and all.
Probably not.
Since Sep 14, 2004
Figures
The waste disposal thing might actually be a federal reg.
Yep. Kinda like those BATF Rambo's a few years back down in Waco.
Rather a tough price to pay.
Hey Tonk...check out this thread..
ping
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