Out in Washington, Lake Washington High School is considering (remember that word) making every student take a breathalyzer test prior to entering the prom. As Komo News points out “Close to 60 percent of all alcohol-related fatal car crashes happen during prom season.” Obviously, the ACLU has an issue with this attempt to keep kids from imbibing in alcohol, which, last time I checked, was illegal for them to drink.
But the American Civil Liberties Union in Seattle says the measure would be an invasion of the students’ privacy and a violation of the state’s constitution.
“The problem with the proposal is that it’s blanket-testing. It treats every student as a suspect even if there’s no reason to believe an individual’s done anything wrong,” said ACLU spokesman Doug Honig.
Honig said his group is not against testing students if there’s probable cause.
Interesting. I haven’t heard about the ACLU actually doing something about gropings by the TSA, searches at sporting events, body scanners, etc. They’ve asked for information and incidents to actual people, yet, haven’t done a thing to stop these same “blanket-tests” that treat everyone like a suspect.
Jumping in the way back machine, Reason had a whiny post which distorted what I wrote, and had cross posted at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU. And that point, namely that the ACLU has failed to attempt to do anything of consequence, is still valid. The headline was a poor choice of words, because it implied that the ACLU had said nothing. They had mentioned the issue, yes, but took no action. And still haven’t.
Where is the ACLU when you actually need them? What about the searches by the TSA? They are worthless, so why do we do them?
As to drinking and driving, if this is such an issue, put an analyzer in the car. Make it so that you use it to start the car, have an over-ride, but the point is that if your analyzer says you are drunk and you still drive, then you go to jail. Or at least some varient of this system. If they don’t do this, then leave us alone! That means they are not serious on the issue.
At least we can agree on the ACLU David.
Here’s a thought. If blanket searches conducted under the guise of DUI Road Blocks is legal, then checking every student as they enter the door to prom should also be legal. If they have a problem with this, then the ACLU should have a problem with the TSA (like you say) and the DUI Road Blocks.
Also, the Prom is voluntary. No one is forcing them to attend nor does their education depend on attendance. Thus, knowing the rules ahead of time (being tested) means you agree to be tested if you attend.
But then, the government loves to play both sides. Remember too, that the TSA proclaims that its gropings and cavity searches are legal because they check people at random.
Therefore, checking people at random and checking everyone is legal without warrants. Now, Indiana is saying that you have no right to defend your property from people who claim to be police and bust in your home without a warrant.
The ACLU disappears at the strangest moments. Like during the Duke lacrosse rape case, was tailor made for them, and, nary a peep.
Reminds me of how elderly people have sometimes sued emergency responders for losing their glasses. People pissed because strangers don’t help them enough!