Constitution
FlexYourRights.org has an in depth description of Fourth Amendment rights regarding consent to search which states that most people don’t realize that police need probable cause to search your vehicle.
I think it is interesting how certain words and phrases are used to convey a message that they don’t really state. For instace, the phrase, “mind if I search your vehicle?”, while asking a question, actually has the connotation that there isn’t a choice in the matter. It’s like asking your buddy, “mind if I have a couple of these fries?” as you reach for them. Whether he minds or not, you are going to take them, and he knows this. Of course, he’s going to say “sure”. We are conditioned to think that we are obligated to say yes to any reasonable question that starts with, “do you mind if…”
I’ve actually been in this situation a couple of times. The funniest one occurred once coming home from my job washing dishes late at night. I was pulled over for driving 31 mph in a 35. I assume the officer thought I was using some type of substance I wasn’t supposed to be using since I was out late, had chest-length dreadlocks, and was driving below the speed limit. In actuality, my speedometer was spinning in a circle, and since I couldn’t tell how fast I was going, I always drove slowly just in case. I explained this to him and also noted that he’d been behind me for over two miles so I was being extra careful to drive below the speed limit.
After checking my license, the officer asked if I’d been drinking, to which I replied, “No sir. As you can see by my driver’s license, I’m not 21 yet…it’s illegal for me to drink.”
Admittedly, I probably didn’t go very far in getting him on my good side with that comment, but whatever. I’d been doing nothing wrong. Next came the inevitable, “mind if I search your car?”
He was pretty shocked when I informed him that yes, I did mind. He had no reason to think I was committing a crime. His next move, of course, was to threaten me with bringing out a dog in order to get probable cause. I told him to be my guest. I was finished working for the night and had nowhere to go and nothing to fear. He was obviously frustrated, but after a lecture about keeping my car in working order, he handed me my license and sent me on my way.
One thing I didn’t like about the tone of the article is that it sort of implies that police are somehow cheating the system by making you think you have to submit to a search. To me, it is the responsibility of the citizen to know their rights or to at least ask about them if they are not sure. The police do a tough and dangerous job, and I can’t really blame them for using people’s ignorance to help them perform their job more easily.
I Called This One a Looooong Time Ago
Google entering the corporate software market. Actually this is a step toward what I’ve predicted will happen. Currently, Google’s model is to host all of the information on their site. Some companies will have an issue with this, which is reasonable.Â
I’ve predicted Google’s ultimate objective will be to sell an appliance that runs inside the corporate intranet. The hardware will be bought/leased from Google, and no corporate information will get past the company’s firewall. Google will maintain and patch the appliance from Mountain View, so users will always have the most up to date versions with the latest patches. This will free up IT departments to deal with other issues, like keeping Microsoft patched and secure.
The big gotcha here is that all the users need to run the software is a browser. Enter simplified versions of opensource OS’s that do nothing but run a browser. Google can take a big bite out of Microsoft, not necessarily by stealing market share, but by eliminating a large part of the office suite and operating system markets entirely.
A Very Sad Day
Just got news that a co-worker was fatally injured in a motorcycle accident this morning on Alcoa Highway. This hasn’t been confirmed by a news source yet, and a name has not been released.
It is quite a shock to us here, and horrible news. He was a really great guy, and I’m not just saying that. Always smiling, always friendly, always cracking jokes and making our job more enjoyable. In addition to working with him, I was lucky enough to get to share a few meals and laughs with him. I can honestly say I’ve never heard one negative thing about him from anyone. He will be sorely missed here.
It is sad when anyone passes, but it is even worse when that person is young and full of life.
Condolences to his family.
UPDATE
News sources aren’t reporting it, but it has been announced at work. A truly sad day.
Not in Keeping, But…
There’s no way I could not post a picture of the little one to be. We have a video too, which we were able to get onto a DVD, but I don’t have a way to rip the video into .avi at home. Hopefully I can get that done soon.
My Buddy at the Klan Rally
Yesterday a friend of mine posted on his MySpace blog a story about attending a KKK rally in Newport, TN a few years ago on MLK Day. My buddy isn’t a KKK supporter in any way. He was there more for the circus atmosphere than anything. As he says, it is fun to see stupid people doing stupid things.
His post describes how the Klan chose Newport because the town was unable to pass restriction on them in time to prevent the issuance of a permit. The rally ended up being relegated to a small area near the courthouse surrounded by the police for the Klan’s protection. Apparently, it was difficult to hear the spout any of their nonsense from outside the barricades due to the drumming of the hippies who’d gathered to protest the protest, or whatever.
I was thinking about the many levels of injustice that were present in this situation, and how one of the biggest benefits of free speech was probably never even intended. Free speech gives absolute idiots the opportunity to expose themselves for what they really are.
I’m too lazy to look it up, but I believe it was Mark Twain who said, “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt. ”
All of the cities and towns that “successfully” blocked the Klan denied their citizens the opportunity to find out what they believe and decide for themselves. The hippies that drummed them out of earshot did the same, and became an annoyance in and of themselves.
Wouldn’t a better approach be to have someone with an opposing view (and the courage to espouse it without hiding their identity) present a different set of ideas? Are we afraid that people are so ignorant that they can no longer tell a good idea from a bad one?
New and Improved Martial Law–Now Easier Than Ever!
Picked up through from Lady Liberty via ShoutwireÂ
“…the president may now use military troops as a domestic police force in response to a natural disaster, a disease outbreak, terrorist attack or to any “other condition.â€
<sarcasm>At least it was bi-partisan sponsored, so we know that BOTH parties agree on it.</sarcasm>
Born at 22 Weeks and Survived!
This is incredible! Look at how tiny the feet are!
Possible Sunshine Law Violations in Knox County
Why freedom of the press works.
Basically, the Knoxville News Sentinel is sueing the Knox County Commission over the (aleged) backroom deals that occurred during the appointment of several replacements for term-limited commissioners.
The proposed agreement will force the Commission to hold the meeting again. All appointments would be void and have to be repeated.
With the outcry against what happened here causing the commotion it did, the results should be very interesting. Stay tuned!
A New School…Hooray?
The News Sentinel has an article about the new Gibbs Elementary School today–citing it as a great thing for our community. Uh…okay.
Don’t get me wrong…I’m aware that the people in my community, state, and nation can benefit infinitely by being educated. I definitely see the social and economic benefits I can personally reap from living in an environment where everyone is educated. I’ll even go so far to commit my own resources towards the education of the masses.
And because I believe strongly in these things…
I don’t like being FORCED to contribute an education system wraught with inefficiencies.
I don’t like being FORCED to contribute to an education system that is already failing. (See the State published results of its own test–Cs aren’t good enough, especially when you are in control of the test).
I don’t like being FORCED to contribute to an education system that does not allow parents to choose for their children which school/curriculum is best for their child.
I don’t like being FORCED to contribute to a system that is being held hostage by unions.
I don’t like being FORCED to contribute to a system that caters to the meaty part of the bell curve, pushing those who are either gifted or challenged to the middle.
It’s a nice story that fourth graders think their new school is cool, but all the new gyms and big cafeterias in the world do not fix the problems I’ve enumerated.
