TSA begins random road inspections in Tennessee

[Hazcat]

By Adam Ghassemi

PORTLAND, Tenn. – You're probably used to seeing TSA's signature blue uniforms at the airport, but now agents are hitting the interstates to fight terrorism with Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR).

"Where is a terrorist more apt to be found? Not these days on an airplane more likely on the interstate," said Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons.

Tuesday Tennessee was first to deploy VIPR simultaneously at five weigh stations and two bus stations across the state.

Agents are recruiting truck drivers, like Rudy Gonzales, into the First Observer Highway Security Program to say something if they see something.

"Not only truck drivers, but cars, everybody should be aware of what's going on, on the road," said Gonzales.

It's all meant to urge every driver to call authorities if they see something suspicious.

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more at link

http://www.newschannel5.com/story/15725035/officials-claim-tennessee-becomes-first-state-to-deploy-vipr-statewide

[Magoo541]

"Not only truck drivers, but cars, everybody should be aware of what's going on, on the road," said Gonzales.

It's all meant to urge every driver to call authorities if they see something suspicious.

Brown shirt, Big Brother, 1984 etc.  I would bet that a call to "the authorities" gives them probable cause and they will insist they don't need a search warrant.  4th Amendmen, what 4th Amendment?

[mauler]

At some point the American people, each and every one as individuals, will have to decide when they have had enough of being lorded over by thugs at gunpoint; when that individual has finally had his line crossed.  I think we are on the cusp of it, and I for one look forward to it.  Not because it is going to be glamorous or heroic or good, but because it beats the feeling of sitting around dreading the inevitable. 

[fightingquaker13]

I don't know. If we're talking about trucks its a grey area. They have to inspected anyway. They have to go to weigh stations and can be pulled over for a weigh in and inspection of their log books. Its also likely that a smart terrorist would use a truck rather than an airplane. We're just lucky that we are fighting a bunch of Rube Goldberg wannabes who aim for the most complex solution to any problem. I mean simultaneous hijackings (okay that one worked), shoe bombs, ass bombs, underwear bombs, dirty bombs? Its like the CIA in the sixties trying to give Castro an exploding cigar.  
On the other hand, two rednecks with a rental truck and some fertilizer got the job done.  Its only a matter of time before Al Queda gets the message. Simpler is better. Add to this that the trucking world is a relatively small place. These guys know each other. They eat and get gas at the same truck stops, They go to the same distributors, they talk to each other on their CBs. Getting them to keep an eye out seems to make all sorts of sense to me.   Plus, if they can put some sort of explosive sniffer at weigh stations it wouldn't be invasive.
Not sure I agree with everything I just wrote, but I'll throw it out for consideration.
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

At some point the American people, each and every one as individuals, will have to decide when they have had enough of being lorded over by thugs at gunpoint; when that individual has finally had his line crossed.  I think we are on the cusp of it, and I for one look forward to it.  Not because it is going to glamorous or heroic or good, but because it beats the feeling of sitting around dreading the inevitable. 

It also lets us quit screwing around and start on the common sense clean up.
My Dad used to tell me if you put off a sh!t job you may be taking it easy, but you still have it in the back of your mind.
If you just do the sh!t job you get to relax with a clear conscience.

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