4th Amendment Rant

[ftncityfatboy]

Here's the rant: It is now policy at University of TN football games that all persons entering the stadium are subject to being searched. Any bag, satchel, purse, etc over 12" x 12" x 12" is free game. Upon reading this in our local liberal newspaper, I was rather upset. Now according to the 4th amendment, we are protected from the UNLAWFUL search & seizure of our property, person, etc without PROBABLE cause. SO, I ask you: If the gate minders at these games want to check you, is it legal? Given this is University property and they make the rules, it is legal? Some say the University is Private property (I know this because I want threatened with arrest while on UT property and was told it was private property) even though it is state funded. So by allowing them to search me, I give up my 4th amendment rights. If I refuse, I am denied entry into the arena and therefore loosing my money on the ticket I purchased. So I ask you my fellow TGO'ers, how far do we take our 4th amendment rights. We cannot say certain words, call people certain names, say things which might be offensive to others - a prohibition of our 1st amendment rights, our 2nd amendment rights are under attack, so just how far do we take this? I posted on another platform and the feel gooders said it made them feel warm and fuzzy that people were getting searched. Some quoted the Patriot Act to which I told them to READ the Patriot Act.

Maybe my arteries are starting to harden and I'm just getting cranky, maybe I'm just being rebellious in my middle age, maybe I'm just starting to see how our rights are being slowly stripped away, maybe I need to increase my dosage on my mood altering medication. Thanks for reading.....all comments welcome

FCFB

[Guest GunTroll]

F em' and don't go any more. Make them pay by losing your money. I don't fly anymore just for that reason!

[Sandman]

I come from a different time I think. That's all I've known...concerts, games, etc...I can see both sides of the coin here though. Should they have the right to look through your stuff? No.

Are there enough crazy people (even crazier football fans) to warrant a search? Yes.

Now obviously if someone wanted to do something than their "bag check" wouldn't prevent them from doing it. It's almost a joke. They usually just have a little peek in the bag and say come on. If they actually went through 100,000 bags then the game would be over before anyone could watch it.

[ftncityfatboy]

F em' and don't go any more. Make them pay by losing your money. I don't fly anymore just for that reason!

FWIW....I did not renew my season tickets this year although I have been a long time supporter. In the past, large bags were subject to search which I also objected. I also don't fly, go to Dollywood, Universal Studios, and other places where I'm subject to search. I do on occasion HAVE to go to the court house and am subjected to search without probable cause.

[Sandman]

Oh also...I think the UT football search is equally for alcohol as well as weapons.

[Erik88]

Hasn't it been like that for years at UT football games? For as long as I can remember they have searched people entering the stadium. Not saying I agree with it but I'm just curious when this became a "new" policy?

[mikegideon]

This has been going on at concert venues for years. You don't have to let them search your stuff, and they don't have to let you in. It's not a forced search.

[ftncityfatboy]

Oh also...I think the UT football search is equally for alcohol as well as weapons.

I have been going to football games at Neyland since 63' and cannot tell you how many people have been sent to the first aid center for too much alcohol consumption AND others being hit in the head with the empty bottles. Its going to get it regardless......

[ftncityfatboy]

Hasn't it been like that for years at UT football games? For as long as I can remember they have searched people entering the stadium. Not saying I agree with it but I'm just curious when this became a "new" policy?

It has typically been with LARGE purses and bags. The new thing is bags larger than 12" x 12" x 12". Come on......

[Mike.357]

sounds like the same old same old when entering Neyland.

As it is police doing the pat downs I think it falls under a Terry Frisk law. Might be wrong.

And also is agreeing to be searched part of the license to use the tickets for entry?

I am not sure I see a 4A problem here.

And do us a favor, hit control I on your keyboard

[ftncityfatboy]

And do us a favor, hit control I on your keyboard

Explain...

[Mike.357]

the Control key and I key turn itallics off and on, LOL. Unless of course that is some weird font and not itallics

[Dolomite_supafly]

Here's the rant: It is now policy at University of TN football games that all persons entering the stadium are subject to being searched. Any bag, satchel, purse, etc over 12" x 12" x 12" is free game. Upon reading this in our local liberal newspaper, I was rather upset. Now according to the 4th amendment, we are protected from the UNLAWFUL search & seizure of our property, person, etc without PROBABLE cause. SO, I ask you: If the gate minders at these games want to check you, is it legal? Given this is University property and they make the rules, it is legal? Some say the University is Private property (I know this because I want threatened with arrest while on UT property and was told it was private property) even though it is state funded. So by allowing them to search me, I give up my 4th amendment rights. If I refuse, I am denied entry into the arena and therefore loosing my money on the ticket I purchased. So I ask you my fellow TGO'ers, how far do we take our 4th amendment rights. We cannot say certain words, call people certain names, say things which might be offensive to others - a prohibition of our 1st amendment rights, our 2nd amendment rights are under attack, so just how far do we take this? I posted on another platform and the feel gooders said it made them feel warm and fuzzy that people were getting searched. Some quoted the Patriot Act to which I told them to READ the Patriot Act.

Maybe my arteries are starting to harden and I'm just getting cranky, maybe I'm just being rebellious in my middle age, maybe I'm just starting to see how our rights are being slowly stripped away, maybe I need to increase my dosage on my mood altering medication. Thanks for reading.....all comments welcome

FCFB

That is pretty much your options.

I am sure in the eyes of the law it is considered private property, same as you or I. And with it being private property they can make the rules any visitors must abide by same as you and I can.

The unreasonable search and seizure, constitutionally, applies to government entities. A private party can't search and seize another private property without consent or court order. But what they can do is set mandates in order for you to gain access to their private property even if it includes being searched or even hopping on one leg.

Now I agree that they are fence sitters in the fact they scream they are private property yet receive federal, state and local funds to support their operation.

Dolomite

[ftncityfatboy]

the Control key and I key turn itallics off and on, LOL. Unless of course that is some weird font and not itallics

Ok, so I will be like everyone else and not use italics thus being subject to a socialist style of writing (everybody types the same way, nobody's different). JUST kidding....thanks for the tip Mike!

[DaveTN]

Read the 4^th amendment. It protects you from unreasonable searches.

You are not required to comply with the search; you can leave.

Probable cause pertains to searches without your consent or is required to support a warrant; has nothing to do with you voluntarily submitting to a search.

Most of these searches prior to entry are looking for liquor or cameras. It’s reasonable to look in a 12X12X12 bag or container.

[Mike.357]

Ok, so I will be like everyone else and not use italics thus being subject to a socialist style of writing (everybody types the same way, nobody's different). JUST kidding....thanks for the tip Mike!

thank you comerade

[china coaster]

We must remember that we live in different times. People are more dependant on government for everything now days. When I was a student there in the mid '60s we could and did carry just about anything in.If they caught you with it you could leave and walk back until a friend came along and give it to them. In fact we pledges were required to carry in liquor for active members. It was illegal then as now, but it wasn't a problem. Most people living today have never known anything but big government, so just let them choke on it.

[Guest Zombie-Hunter]

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Edited September 6, 2011 by Zombie-Hunter

[TGO David]

Where they get you is it is a privilege to visit a ball game or driving your car.

Not a Right! LOL it is all in the wording, the very reason the English language has 2 standards the educated and uneducated. It was meant to be that way, so some can escape while others pay the price. The American way.

[Guest WingMan380]

George Carlin said it best, we are losing little by little our freedoms and we are letting the government do it because we feel "safer" knowing the government has our "best interest" in mind when in reality all that is happening is government is slowly positioning themselves behind us as we are bent over.

[JeffsSig]

On Freedoms and Rights:

Just because we have a constitutional right to do something, or not have something done does not mean you can automatically do it or receive that right.

Per the States Constitution (Not the United States Constitution) we have the right to vote. But to keep order and do this in a fashion to be fair to most we need to register to vote.

All rights have a price. Be it a major one that someone gave their life for to defend or a few moments and monies on your part to obtain.

This is just my thought.

We have those who interpret our Constitution differently. And to keep those who do so somewhat happy we agree to rules and laws that we can all live by. You voted “those” into the position to do so when and if you vote each election.

This is not say I will 100 percent agree with those I vote for on their interpretation nor do I expect you to agree 100%.

It is all part of a big give and take situation.

[TGO David]

I still fail to see how this is a 4th Amendment issue. My rights end where someone else's begin. If they, as the land owner, wish to refuse entry to anyone who refuses a search, both parties are within their "rights" to refuse. No harm, no foul. But if you want entry to their property, you must decide if allowing them to search your person is an acceptable trade.

Seriously this has nothing to do with the 4th Amendment.

[FUJIMO]

Since I'm not an attorney or have money falling out my rear I simply do what I can to make the best of situations of this type. If an entity or place of business does something I don't like I simply don't fund their practices anymore. Will it make a difference in their profit at the end of the day ? Maybe, maybe not, but I feel better Besides that I am very vocal and the best way to advertise their shortcomings is to spread it around to everyone I know

I am subject to search every time I walk on to U.T. property which is quite often. You realize anytime you're on their property your a candidate for being searched if they think you're there to harm someone. Check out their policy sometime. Now maybe it isn't as anal as their ball game searches go but I assure you it's there. I know too many U.T. employee's that have brought up the same gripe....and they work there, lol.