ONE SMALL CHINK IN THE ARMOR

A federal judge recently ruled that Aaron Tobey could sue two TSA screeners who had him arrested after he disrobed prior to going through Security Theater at Richmond International Airport. Seems young Mr. Tobey had the audacity to exercise both his 1st Amendment Right to free speech and his 4th Amendment right, by scrawling on his chest, a portion of the latter, as a protest to the unlawful searches conducted by TSA.

While this is an initial small victory for the young man and Americans in general, I remain somewhat disturbed by comments made by the judge and the actions of the Richmond police who arrested Aaron at the behest of TSA.

US District Judge Henry Hudson called Tobey's behavior "bizzare and screeners were justified in calling the police." I'd like to ask Judge Hudson, when did non violent protest, to what one believes is unconstitutional, become bizzare behavior and require a police response?

The answer of course is, since September 11, 2001. In an effort to keep the masses at bay and under control, the Federal Government and the Courts have slowly and relentlessly been eroding our Constitutional rights, all under the guise of "national security."

The Richmond police thugs who responded to TSA's call for assistance, arrested Mr. Tobey, allegedly threatened him with a permanent police record and charged him with disorderly conduct; the catch all charge commonly referred to as Contempt of Cop, when one fails to kowtow to their abuse of power and position. Not surprisingly, these charges were later dropped.

Sadly, Judge Hudson has thrown out the majority of the law suit, specifically the 4th Amendment aspect. He has allowed the portion of the suit that accuses two TSA buffoons of violating Mr. Tobey’s free speech rights to move forward.

The Rutherford Institute is litigating on behalf of Mr. Tobey. I can only hope this is one of the first chinks in the armor of constitutional abuse the US Government wraps itself in and, if successful, the breech continues to widen until the civil rights of all Americans are fully restored.