Man Strips at Va. Airport to Protest Screening

(AP)  Police say a man stripped to his underwear at a Virginia airport checkpoint in a protest against security procedures.

Airport police said the man took off his shirt and pants at Richmond International Airport on Thursday. He had scrawled across his chest a reference to the Constitution's 4th Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizure.

Police identified the man as 21-year-old Aaron B. Tobey of Charlottesville, Va. He told police he was a student at the University of Cincinnati.

Tobey was interviewed by airport police and federal authorities, issued a citation for disorderly conduct and released. He is scheduled for arraignment on Jan. 10.

[retiredgustav]

He could have taken a train, or a bus or a car. When our forefathers wrote the constitution, they never envisioned people being put into an aluminum tube traveling 500 MPH. If they had I am quite certain they would have aproved of the search of ALL people boarding. For all of those who don't want to be searched, don't fly. There are alternatives.

[theywerestrongandgood]

On the contrary, the authors of the Constitution were careful to use language that would encompass a broad range of possibilities. They did not specify that citizens would not be subjected to unreasonable searches as they entered stagecoaches, or carriages.

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

[luannerene]

while id love to place the blame for our disappearing "rights" on our government it wouldnt do any good . We re our own worst enemy . Apathy has turned to willingly even eagerly giving up our rights in the name of ? anti terrorism ? right . . . i suggest we bone up on american history and remind ourselves why it is those rights were assured us and whos are biggest threat. . . i live in a place . . where calling 911 is more likely to get ya shot then taking your chances with the bad guy . . seems once we noticed who was terrorizing us we lost touch with whats been done about it , historically . so it goes in my town . .

[tmittelstaed]

who cares!

[berlinfoto-2009]

After World War I, Germany was the Weimar Republic, Germany had lost face with the loss of World War I. Germany was burdened with reparation payments, sort of like the interest payments the U. S. must make on its foreign debt, foreign debt that the U. S. can never pay off. Very soon the U. S. will loose face when it has to pull out of Afghanistan and Iraq. When this happens you will see real violations of the Constitution.
I suggest that you read some books by Robert Jay Lifton, particular, "SUPPER POWER SYNDROME", this book has not had a great following and can be purchased new for less than the marked price, at online bookstores, it is well worth the price, and the time it would take to read it. Also one should read "EMPIRE OF ILLUSION".

[TJphoto]

First the Drug War, now the War On Terror. This is what people in power have always wanted. Let's just put the Constitution in the shredder and be done with it. You can either be sheep or Patriots. Pick One!

[theywerestrongandgood]

Amazing how many whiners are whining about a young man's peaceful protest.

[TobyPogi]

For all those whiners, think their rights been violated. Try not to bring your constitutional rights in foreign country. The U.S. constitutions is Null and Void. Just follow their law and rules, you'll be okay. So.. stop whining.

[theywerestrongandgood]

Does it occur to those of you calling this protester a "whiner" that 18-wheelers are crossing our borders everyday from our overwhelmed southern border with less searching than an 87-year-old marine veteran with a titanium knee? Containers are shipped into ports everyday without inspection. Do you really think we are safe because of these invasive searches? We should be demanding secure borders and ports, not calling fellow Americans "whiners" for peacefully protesting these useless airport search methods.

[TobyPogi]

Americans must agree that this country of ours has been the target of outside Extremist and some home growned Terrorist. Whinning and being spoiled attitude should set aside as far the Security of this Nation is concerned and screening should conducted in a proper fashion. those Extremist will strike again in a matter of where and when. "Cooperations" is the key for safety.

[wjksea]

I don't like being scanned cause I'm bashful so I'm going to get nekkid instead.....