In my opinion, this guy is a loser. He has the right to do this but he's an idiot. People like this open the door for terrorism at sporting events if he prevails.

 

 

 

NFL fan sues over searches at Florida stadium

 

By Jim Loney

Thu Oct 13, 4:31 PM ET

 

 

 

A Tampa Bay Buccaneers season ticket holder sued on Thursday to halt pat-down searches of fans entering the football team's stadium, saying such a search without any suspicion of wrongdoing violated his constitutional rights.

 

The suit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida on behalf of high school teacher Gordon Johnston, challenges a policy approved by the Tampa Sports Authority in September requiring physical searches of every fan entering Raymond James Stadium for National Football League games.

 

"Football fans should not be forced to surrender our constitutional rights as the price of admission to the stadium," Johnston said in a release. "I am challenging these pat-down searches because I don't like the idea of myself, my wife and my friends being touched without our consent.

 

The suit, filed in Hillsborough County Circuit Court in Tampa, asks for a ruling that "suspicionless" searches of fans violate the constitutional right to freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.

 

The authority, which is a government body, approved a policy imposed by the NFL requiring security personnel to pat down every fan entering an NFL stadium.

 

Barbara Casey, a spokeswoman for the Tampa Sports Authority, said she could not comment specifically on the lawsuit because authority officials had not seen it.

 

"We need to do what the NFL has mandated," she said. "We're going on what the NFL lawyers have said, that it is constitutional."

 

ACLU officials said the NFL policy required a pat-down search only from the waist up, leaving open the possibility that someone could smuggle contraband or weapons into the stadium in pant legs.

 

"That's just one of the absurdities of the policy. We're not any safer, just a lot less free," said Howard Simon, executive director of the ACLU of Florida.

It's a different era. We have to sacrifice a small amount of privacy for the wellbeing of all.

It is a private event, I hope the Bucs yank his season tix.

Doesn't really matter to me, but Ben Franklin already put his 2 cents in:

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

I think I agree with the guy. Those patdowns are ridiculous. If you REALLY wanted to get something in, you'd get it in. Put it near your wiener and they'll NEVER find it.

 

It's sad, but it also happens to be TOTALLY true.

Metal Detectors...

 

much less obtrusive, and much more effective than a dim-wit security guard patting you down.

 

NFL should invest in them

 

The last four lines of the article are pretty telling about how absurd that policy really is...

 

If you want to intrude on someones personal liberties, you might as well do it right :lol

ACLU officials said the NFL policy required a pat-down search only from the waist up, leaving open the possibility that someone could smuggle contraband or weapons into the stadium in pant legs.

 

"That's just one of the absurdities of the policy. We're not any safer, just a lot less free," said Howard Simon, executive director of the ACLU of Florida.

 

Yes, because I'm sure if complete, full body patdowns were put in place, the ACLU would have no complaints.

 

Metal Detectors...

 

much less obtrusive, and much more effective than a dim-wit security guard patting you down.

 

NFL should invest in them

 

 

Nothing like 65,000 people waiting for the loser who forgets he has keys in his pocket.

they use metal detectors on employees at dolphins stadium. we're getting checks from them (small ones mind you but still checks) and they're still all worried one of us is gonna blow the place up or something so i see no problem whatsoever with fans getting patted down.

FWIW, the city of Cincinnati stopped the Bengals from doing this as well. It became known that the patdowns were only going to be done from the waste up as a way for the NFL to increase beer sales by keeping people from sneaking beer into the stadium.

FWIW, the city of Cincinnati stopped the Bengals from doing this as well. It became known that the patdowns were only going to be done from the waste up as a way for the NFL to increase beer sales by keeping people from sneaking beer into the stadium.

 

 

The county stopped them. And only because they were going to charge the county for it. Should the Bengals choose to pay for the extra security themselves, they will be done.

i hope the guy wins.

 

 

the steps we have taken in the name of terrorism are just utterly stupid.

 

 

look, when 9/11 happened, nothing was smuggled on the planes. the terrorists took over the planes with items they were allowed to bring on. while there should have been steps in place to ensure that certain items not be brought on planes, its not like security failed at any step along the way. its not like the terrorists had a gun or a bomb or anything that was smuggled on board.

 

 

this is just another sensationalist event to try to allow more control by big brother.

 

and its a way to prevent the smuggling in of outside food and drink items.....

 

and speaking of that, if you just come out and say the patdowns are because we have had a lot of people smuggle in food and drink..then fine, it would be an entirely different story.

for those of you calling for these searches and such to end, I'd like to hear your opinion when not you but maybe a loved one get seriously injured or killed by someone with a bomb wrapped around their body.

 

Hypothetical but a very real possibility:

 

AFC Championship, New England

 

Patdowns and such are no longer due to these lawsuits and outrage from "real" Americans.

 

It's cold, very cold. Everyone is bundled up and look 20 pounds heavier just from the clothing and thick jackets.

 

Millions of people are watching the game on television all over the world along with the thousands in the stadium.

 

Sometime during the third quarter, in the stands is an explosion from a suicide bomber that kills at least 1200+ people including young children due to the close stadium seating.

 

Not only is it another attack on our soil that has massive casulaties on civilians, but it was broadcasted all over the world.

 

Laugh if you must about my little scenario, but I think a patdown at a stadium or anywhere else of that magnitude is justified. And to feel more safe, even if it's a false sense of safety is worth it for me.

Metal Detectors...

 

much less obtrusive, and much more effective than a dim-wit security guard patting you down.

 

NFL should invest in them

 

 

Nothing like 65,000 people waiting for the loser who forgets he has keys in his pocket.

 

Whenever you have any kind of search to ensure the safety of people, whether it's at a stadium or an airport you're always going to have to sacrifice some of your time, whether it's for a metal detector or someone patting you down.

 

Metal detectors, if anything, would probably be less time-consuming than individual pat-downs of 65k people.

for those of you calling for these searches and such to end, I'd like to hear your opinion when not you but maybe a loved one get seriously injured or killed by someone with a bomb wrapped around their body.

 

Hypothetical but a very real possibility:

 

AFC Championship, New England

 

Patdowns and such are no longer due to these lawsuits and outrage from "real" Americans.

 

It's cold, very cold. Everyone is bundled up and look 20 pounds heavier just from the clothing and thick jackets.

 

Millions of people are watching the game on television all over the world along with the thousands in the stadium.

 

Sometime during the third quarter, in the stands is an explosion from a suicide bomber that kills at least 1200+ people including young children due to the close stadium seating.

 

Not only is it another attack on our soil that has massive casulaties on civilians, but it was broadcasted all over the world.

 

Laugh if you must about my little scenario, but I think a patdown at a stadium or anywhere else of that magnitude is justified. And to feel more safe, even if it's a false sense of safety is worth it for me.

 

 

Violating my rights for a FALSE sense of security is absurd.

 

Super Bowl doomsday scenario's have been around long before 9/11 and having a bomb wrapped around your torso is so Hollywood :plain.

 

If I can sneak in my protein shakes and other things, then there is no reason why a terrorist wouldn't be able to sneak in a bomb. Anyone with an IQ over 1 can sneak in anything that they want, I could have a gun in a holster right on the side of my body and they would NEVER even know it's there because they don't even pat you down in some of the most obvious places, only on the love handles and chest and they barely even touch you, it's ridiculous.

 

 

 

Doesn't really matter to me, but Ben Franklin already put his 2 cents in:

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

:notworthy

for those of you calling for these searches and such to end, I'd like to hear your opinion when not you but maybe a loved one get seriously injured or killed by someone with a bomb wrapped around their body.

 

Hypothetical but a very real possibility:

 

AFC Championship, New England

 

Patdowns and such are no longer due to these lawsuits and outrage from "real" Americans.

 

It's cold, very cold. Everyone is bundled up and look 20 pounds heavier just from the clothing and thick jackets.

 

Millions of people are watching the game on television all over the world along with the thousands in the stadium.

 

Sometime during the third quarter, in the stands is an explosion from a suicide bomber that kills at least 1200+ people including young children due to the close stadium seating.

 

Not only is it another attack on our soil that has massive casulaties on civilians, but it was broadcasted all over the world.

 

Laugh if you must about my little scenario, but I think a patdown at a stadium or anywhere else of that magnitude is justified. And to feel more safe, even if it's a false sense of safety is worth it for me.

 

 

If we're going to take future scenarios that have never happened into account we will never be able to go anywhere or do anything. Let's take anyone convicted of driving intoxicated's license away. Let's not sell guns, etc. The possibilities are endless.

 

You cannot live in fear. I mean, no matter how small, if you keep on with the searches and the lessening of personal freedom then the damn terrorists have won. Even if it's a patdown.

 

Especially since I gotta' get to that Bengals pro-shop an hour plus before the game just to get through the damn line. I don't need my valuable shopping cut short by this crap.

Super Bowl doomsday scenario's have been around long before 9/11 and having a bomb wrapped around your torso is so Hollywood :plain.

 

 

yeah, I know...you're so right.

 

 

 

BAGHDAD (AP) - A suicide bomber killed 30 Iraqis at an army recruiting centre Wednesday in the northwest as Sunni-led insurgent groups continued their deadly campaign to intimidate voters before a weekend referendum on the country's draft constitution.

 

A special session of parliament was called for Wednesday evening to vote on a last-minute breakthrough on the constitution reached by Shiite, Sunni Arab and Kurdish powerbrokers, reviving hopes of winning Sunni support for the charter at the polls.

 

The suicide attacker set off explosives hidden beneath his clothing at the first of two checkpoints outside the recruiting centre in Tal Afar, where men were gathering to apply for jobs, said army Capt. Raad Ahmed and town police chief Brig. Najim Abdullah. They said at least 30 people were killed and 35 wounded.

 

so hollywood

:plain

 

If we're going to take future scenarios that have never happened into account we will never be able to go anywhere or do anything. Let's take anyone convicted of driving intoxicated's license away. Let's not sell guns, etc. The possibilities are endless.

 

You cannot live in fear. I mean, no matter how small, if you keep on with the searches and the lessening of personal freedom then the damn terrorists have won. Even if it's a patdown.

 

Especially since I gotta' get to that Bengals pro-shop an hour plus before the game just to get through the damn line. I don't need my valuable shopping cut short by this crap.

 

 

I do live that way, a patdown at a stadium isn't that big of a deal.

 

two questions:

 

a.) why not get there earlier

b.) why would you buy Bengals crap anyway :whistle

There is only but one answer to this. Send him in.

Quit limiting my freedom Chef!

 

Reactionary!

 

heh

 

As for the Bengals stuff... 2nd best record in the NFL right now. Jeluse? Plus, come hell or high water we will make the playoffs.

As for the Bengals stuff... 2nd best record in the NFL right now. Jeluse? Plus, come hell or high water we will make the playoffs.

 

 

[Off Topic Post]

I think between you both with OSU and the Bungles, and me with Michigan and the Steelers we have a pretty good rivalry btw. At least you guys are Marlins fans.

 

 

[/Off Topic Post]

I wouldn't call myself a Marlins fans. I like a couple of the players and always know what they're doing because of Hugg.

 

I'd be a Reds fan if they were any good. Instead, I'll listen/watch the first two months of games and then throw my hat down in shame.

Gotta love the ACLU...

Gotta love the ACLU...

 

 

Yeah, they've never done anything worth a damn... :book

Doesn't really matter to me, but Ben Franklin already put his 2 cents in:

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

AMEN!

 

Chef - this isn't about security, it's about principal. A stadium has no more right to institute a pat-down policy than they have to introduce a policy to randomly search vehicles in the parking lot - which would make far more sense if you think about it. A beer truck [or Winnebago or Box truck or Van] in the parking lot is a MUCH greater threat than a psycho wearing a body bomb.

 

Let's say they do find some crazy suicide bomber at the pat-down area - what then? If the bomb goes off there, it does just as much damage [defining "damage" as killing, maiming, creating a media frenzy, instilling fear - the general purpose of terrorism] as if he/she did it in his/her seat.

 

Also, let's call a spade a spade: these pat-downs are to keep people from smuggling beer into the stadium so that the concession stands can turn a bigger profit. This has NOTHING to do with our safety. If this were truly about safety, there WOULD be metal detectors, x-ray machines, and bomb sniffing dogs.

Chef - this isn't about security, it's about principal. A stadium has no more right to institute a pat-down policy than they have to introduce a policy to randomly search vehicles in the parking lot - which would make far more sense if you think about it. A beer truck [or Winnebago or Box truck or Van] in the parking lot is a MUCH greater threat than a psycho wearing a body bomb.

 

Let's say they do find some crazy suicide bomber at the pat-down area - what then? If the bomb goes off there, it does just as much damage [defining "damage" as killing, maiming, creating a media frenzy, instilling fear - the general purpose of terrorism] as if he/she did it in his/her seat.

 

Also, let's call a spade a spade: these pat-downs are to keep people from smuggling beer into the stadium so that the concession stands can turn a bigger profit. This has NOTHING to do with our safety. If this were truly about safety, there WOULD be metal detectors, x-ray machines, and bomb sniffing dogs.

 

All great points. Plus, these patdowns might help find a body bomb, but what about anything else? Do they find it is it is strapped to his legs? Do you find the vial of whatever highly toxic substance someone hides in their tube sock? Do they patdown all the maintanence and delivery personell that have been coming and going all week, and follow them the entire time they are inside?

 

Basically, if some idiot is determined enough to do something at a game, it is going to take a hell of a lot more than a patdown to secure the stadium, and both the stadium and the NFL know it.