"Year of the Checkpoint"

Looks like the editorial staff of the Sacramento Bee, while not concerned for exactly the same reasons I am, wants courts to deal with some of the abuses of the drunk driving checkpoint system.

And I still don't think I'm too far off in my belief these checkpoints will not only increase in number, but scope as well. Especially when some local officials are proclaiming this the Year of the Checkpoint. Sounds like they're proud of them.

Sadly, once again, most of those commenting on the editorial don't seem to have any concerns about abuses. One comment even suggests cars should also be impounded for talking on one's cell phone while driving.

Those who would give up liberty...

Those who can give up essential liberty...

to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.- Benjamin Franklin

The same story regarding the profitability of DUI checkpoints appeared in at least two different news outlets today. Both written by the same person with the longer version published on California Watch. The condensed version was published in the Sacramento Bee.

Without getting into the efficacy of DUI checkpoints themselves, I still feel the same way about them as I did decades ago: I think they're illegal search and seizure, even with the supposed protections the courts have placed on them. There's also no doubt in my mind those protections will erode over time and more powers will be given to police to stop and search the citizenry.

There's no doubt in my mind about that, especially after reading the comments on the Sacramento Bee version of the article. Most comments seem to be applauding DUI checkpoints, especially when illegal aliens end up in them.

One commentator even suggests we go back to those good old days of the vehicle safety/ maintenance checkpoints of decades ago. Remember those? They'd place checkpoints up where you didn't have advance notice of them, unlike DUI checkpoints are required to do. If they found anything wrong with your car you'd get a fix- it ticket.

So the future seems clear. Eventually police will be able to stop you and search you for just about any reason. Of course, most feel that way because they think the hammer will always fall on the other guy. To those of you, another quote is probably appropriate:

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak out for me.- Martin Niemoller