The real question
Deborah Davis was arrested for refusing to show ID when the bus she was on entered the Federal Center in Lakewood, Colorado.
Now, authorities are deciding whether to pursue the case. Ms. Davis is casting this fight as a battle against the Patriot Act, saying that it's "the big guys pushing the little guys around." As a contrast to her hyperbole, the arresting officer said that "she was entering a federal facility and that the regulations for entrance did require her to present identification, before being allowed access." She, of course, did not, and was subsequently arrested.
The website that is advocating her position is filled with exaggeration and plays down the fact that the bus's route goes through federal property, where it is required to show identification when requested. This policy has been longstanding and is unlikely to be successfully challenged.
So, the real question isn't about the big guy versus the little guy, but about the lawfulness of the regulation that requires one to present ID when entering the Federal Center. If the authorities decide to proceed with charges, I expect that things will look unfavorably for Deborah Davis.
posted by Craptacular @ 7:21 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
The conservative Rocky Mountain News ran an editorial on Causa Davis in today's edition: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/editorials/article/0,2777,DRMN_23964_4275958,00.html
Thanks for the link. It's a good article, but I'm going to have to disagree with the premise of the article. It doesn't matter what Davis's intention is (she's on her way to work). The officers aren't psychic. If the regulation is lawful, then she has to suffer the consequences for breaking the law.
As an addendum, the last graf is a bit silly:
"But the court has never said Americans must identify themselves upon demand even when they're not under suspicion. Let's keep it that way."
If that's so, why do you have to present your identification to get onto an airplane?
Post a Comment
<< Home