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    
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