I agree that answering the simple question of citizenship does not strip you of your rights. If you were being detained without probable cause, that would be.
I think what these videos make clear is that the checkpoints are not actually unconstitutional but the officers aren’t always quite clear on the law. The police want to put up a front of being in control, but the reality of the situation is that they aren’t.
The supervisors get it but the worker-bees seem to be reluctant to let go of the power trip when confronted with the real limits of their authority. I love the guy that said “I order you to pull over to secondary.” He didn’t really get it.
So even I agree isn’t worth the hassle to avoid answering the simple citizenship question but I love the fact that these guys made the videos. They were sort-of being jerks, but did it to proving a point, and a very important one.
Consider it a reminder to all that these are voluntary check-point after all.
Well done ![/quote]
sdduuuude,
I do agree with you it was educational. I’m still sure that there aren’t a lot of people out there that do that but as you mentioned, they were making a video to make a point. And also I’m sure there were LOTS of cases where they did get hassled or inconvenienced and forced into the secondary areas. They just showed the times they were let go. Nature of YouTube videos.
Still, I agree with you that it was interesting in all those cases where the supervisors just let them go. I’m sure it was probably because a video camera was clearly shoved in their faces.
I also think the videos are a way to show how powerful technology is these days. Before these guys might have gotten pulled out and beaten to a pulp by the police and due to the cameras/videos everywhere these days it reigns in abuse.
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