Recently when waiting for the bus near Chaffey College, I saw a new
announcement from Omnitrans which made me think of what might happen in the
future for what was announced. The TSA is going to invade our bus systems
no matter if its MTA in Los Angeles to Omnitrans in San Bernardino County.

Omnitrans is participating with the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) to help ensure that
our public transportation systems are kept safe
for everyone. Our world changed on Sept. 11,
2001.  We learned that our country and its transit
systems are not immune from terrorist attacks.  
Omnitrans already regularly cooperates with local
law enforcement and first responders to enhance
the safety and security of our system.  Soon we
will begin partnering with TSA and the
Department of Homeland Security.
A program known as VIPR (Visible Intermodal
Prevention and Response) will deploy teams
of government law enforcement officers at
Omnitrans transit centers.  VIPR teams will
conduct random searches at transit centers
including at passenger waiting areas and on
board Omnitrans vehicles. 

more at omnitrans.org for their statement, (commentary continues)
If you like the TSA's work at your local airports you will love the TSA at
the subway, at the bus station and any other places you thought you could
escape the TSA so you can preserve your dignity.

Many people are not happy with the abuses the TSA have done such as feeling
up six year olds and causing an incontinent 95 year old lady with cancer to
take off her wet diaper.

I know we want a safe transportation system, and I know we do not want bus
stations or buses have to endure suicide bombers, as the case with the
British with the IRA, or the Israelis with the Palestinian radicals.

However there should be a way to preserve our dignity while still
maintaining security. Because for the people who have drivers licenses and
access to a vehicle, they will just suffer the sticker shock at the pump
and keep on driving and air quality be darned.

I think we should disband the VIPR program. It is lame and does little to
secure our transportation system. It is just security theater to say we are
doing stuff to protect you, but they are not really protecting you. Maybe
we should just take lessons from the Israelis instead of following the TSA
playbook.

Libertarians, conservatives and even progressives should be wary of this.
VIPR teams may result in being felt up in the name of security, but it can
also lead to la migra where some San Diego teens were deported due to these
screenings. I wonder if Congressman Baca, the defender of the undocumented
will actually stand up against the TSA.

If we can not detect people flying with fake boarding passes and weapons
are so easily being smuggled thru airports still, then why do we have to
waste valuable taxpayer money.
  
--- WWIVToss v.1.50