RE: How much is that doggie sniffing my car...

[Robert Hoffmann <escape@alt-escape.com>]

At 10:20 AM 11/19/98 -0700, you wrote:
>I wonder how the sniffing dogs compare to metal detectors.  From what
>I understand, both are allowed only in public areas, not on private
>property.  Both are meant to detect things that I may have concealed
>without actually rifling through my belongings.  What if the lot in
>which you park you car required you to drive through some large,
>electronic drug detector (assuming some technological advancements) on
>your way in.  How would that be different from passing through a metal
>detector and how would that be different from the sniffing dogs?
>
>Jason Abbott       - Boise, Idaho, USA
>jabbott@uidaho.edu - http://www.uidaho.edu/~jabbott
>Home: 208/336-3678 - Work: 208/364-4051 - FAX: 208/364-4035

One major difference is that metal detectors are used in places where
safety to the public are major concerns--airports, court houses, etc.
People who use those facilities sacrifice some privacy for the safety of
all.  I don't often hear of people being attacked by someone wielding a
joint, or even a kilo of dope, as their weapon.  While some can still claim
that there is a public safety issue, it is not the kind of "imminent
threat" that is caused by a gun on an airplane.

Just like our freedom of speach does not include yelling "FIRE!" in a
crowded theater.  Imminent threat to public safety.  While hate mongering
of the Aryan Nations, which arguably creates an atmosphere of hostility
that can theoretically result in violence, does not in and of itself cause
an imminent threat.  Therefore, freedom of speach, and protection against
unreasonable search and seizure.


Robert Hoffmann                      115 N. Jackson St., Suite D
Alt-Escape Adventures                Moscow, ID  83843  USA
http://www.alt-escape.com            Phone: (208) 883-0642
	             Fax:   (208) 883-8545