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 
 # Origin:  Inland Utopia BBS (1:218/109.0)