NFL security pat-downs violate ticket holders' rights

shaneo69 · 10-27-2005, 07:48 PM

Judge backs lawsuit, halts pat-downs at Bucs games
Associated Press
Updated: Oct. 27, 2005, 8:42 PM ET

TAMPA, Fla. -- A judge on Thursday sided with a high school civics teacher who sued to stop security "pat-downs" at Tampa Bay Buccaneers games.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida filed a lawsuit Oct. 13 on behalf of Bucs season ticket-holder Gordon Johnston. It sought to stop Raymond James Stadium officials from conducting the "suspicionless" searches that began last month after the NFL implemented enhanced security at stadiums throughout the league.

Circuit Judge Perry Little agreed with Johnston Thursday, issuing a temporary injunction stopping the searches until the lawsuit is resolved. The next Bucs home game is Nov. 6.

The NFL said in a statement it was "disappointed" by the decision, but hadn't had a chance to review the court's opinion.

"Pat-downs at other NFL stadiums should not be affected by this ruling," the statement said. "We believe these limited screenings are reasonable and important to the protection of our fans."

Johnston testified in a hearing last week that the searches violate his constitutional rights because they were "invasive without necessity." Security would be more effective if staff spent more time watching ticket holders and less time touching them, he said.

"Why do I need to lose my rights to go to the game?" he said. "I'd say it's humiliating. If I did that to my students, do you know what would happen to me?"

The Tampa Sports Authority, which operates the stadium, approved the pat-downs in September after the NFL asked all teams to conduct them.

The Tampa Sports Authority didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.

DC Forum, here we come!!

**Skip Towne** · 10-27-2005, 08:04 PM

Good deal. I hate Nazis.

Simplex3 · 10-27-2005, 08:07 PM

Man, that guy is a tool. Let's not even bother with the fact that by his standards you can't pat me down, put me through a metal detector, xray my bags, or otherwise check me over when I get on a plane. Let's just examine one simple fact:

If the NFL and/or the team's owner would have built the damned stadium instead of tax dollars it would be a private even at a private facility and this guy would have no case. The NFL has nobody to thank here but themselves for dipping into the public coffer and hopefully it won't cost them dearly.

Adept Havelock · 10-27-2005, 08:31 PM

I expect this decision will be overturned in the name of common sense rather quickly.

**Bowser** · 10-27-2005, 08:34 PM

This is a classic case of some shit-for-brains crying about his civil liberties and looking for his fifteen minutes of fame, instead of using common sense and doing the right thing.

Although, I will say the pat downs at the stadium are a joke.

Lbedrock1 · 10-27-2005, 08:36 PM

This will be the first guy that tries to sue the NFL when someone blows up a bomb. He will say that security was not tight enough.

**Bwana** · 10-27-2005, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lbedrock1

This will be the first guy that tries to sue the NFL when someone blows up a bomb. He will say that security was not tight enough.

Bingo, what a tool.

jspchief · 10-27-2005, 09:00 PM

I'd say this ruling will be overturned soon enough.

If the Supreme Court can deem roadblock OUI checks acceptable in the name of the common good, they'll surely feel the same way about this.

Humiliating? They must do it differently than they do at Arrowhead, because it's harmless as far as I'm concerned.

go bo · 10-27-2005, 09:04 PM

i dunno...

it didn't tickle or anything when they did the pat down on me going into the redskins game...

go bo · 10-27-2005, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

I'd say this ruling will be overturned soon enough.

If the Supreme Court can deem roadblock OUI checks acceptable in the name of the common good, they'll surely feel the same way about this.

Humiliating? They must do it differently than they do at Arrowhead, because it's harmless as far as I'm concerned.

well, thank goodness that judge isn't in california...

the 9th circuit would probably uphold the judge, forcing the case to go all the way to the supremes, or not...

but i would expect the 1st circuit to overturn this fairly quickly, but the ammo man would know more about that since he's in that same district/circuit...

**DaFace** · 10-27-2005, 09:14 PM

Regardless of the outcome of this, I have to agree that the pat downs (at least at Arrowhead) have been a joke. They barely even touch you. I could have brought in a bazooka shoved down my pants and gotten away with it.

tk13 · 10-27-2005, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

Regardless of the outcome of this, I have to agree that the pat downs (at least at Arrowhead) have been a joke. They barely even touch you. I could have brought in a bazooka showed down my pants and gotten away with it.

I actually do bring a bazooka in my pants every weeken.... oh, you meant like an actual weapon.

joesomebody · 10-27-2005, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

I'd say this ruling will be overturned soon enough.

If the Supreme Court can deem roadblock OUI checks acceptable in the name of the common good, they'll surely feel the same way about this.

Humiliating? They must do it differently than they do at Arrowhead, because it's harmless as far as I'm concerned.

After our talks about the rights and wrongs involved with the DUI checks, I was going to bring this up here, but you beat me to the punch.

If the Buc's lease their stadium like KC, I don't think their is a case, private organization can set up what ever laws they want.

Some of the Patriot Act was overzealous, but I do think SOME checks and keeping a watchful eye out isn't all bad, especially the foreign nationals trying to get pilots liscenses in the states.

Pat downs to help to ensure the safety of 78,000+ isn't a bad thing IMHO... If anything else, much like 90% of security measures, its more to deter than to actually catch anyone.

**Skip Towne** · 10-27-2005, 09:32 PM

Are they gonna pat down that 747 they can fly into the stadium? Just another excuse to erode personal freedoms. If the terrorists want to strike, they will strike. Just leave me the fuck out of it.

**Nzoner** · 10-27-2005, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by go bo

i dunno...

it didn't tickle or anything when they did the pat down on me going into the redskins game...

I have no problem with the pat downs either,as long as the guy keeps his hands off my junk,it's all good.

10-27-2005, 07:48 PM
shaneo69 Smug Weasel Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bleachers at Busch Casino cash: $10004900	NFL security pat-downs violate ticket holders' rights Judge backs lawsuit, halts pat-downs at Bucs games Associated Press Updated: Oct. 27, 2005, 8:42 PM ET TAMPA, Fla. -- A judge on Thursday sided with a high school civics teacher who sued to stop security "pat-downs" at Tampa Bay Buccaneers games. The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida filed a lawsuit Oct. 13 on behalf of Bucs season ticket-holder Gordon Johnston. It sought to stop Raymond James Stadium officials from conducting the "suspicionless" searches that began last month after the NFL implemented enhanced security at stadiums throughout the league. Circuit Judge Perry Little agreed with Johnston Thursday, issuing a temporary injunction stopping the searches until the lawsuit is resolved. The next Bucs home game is Nov. 6. The NFL said in a statement it was "disappointed" by the decision, but hadn't had a chance to review the court's opinion. "Pat-downs at other NFL stadiums should not be affected by this ruling," the statement said. "We believe these limited screenings are reasonable and important to the protection of our fans." Johnston testified in a hearing last week that the searches violate his constitutional rights because they were "invasive without necessity." Security would be more effective if staff spent more time watching ticket holders and less time touching them, he said. "Why do I need to lose my rights to go to the game?" he said. "I'd say it's humiliating. If I did that to my students, do you know what would happen to me?" The Tampa Sports Authority, which operates the stadium, approved the pat-downs in September after the NFL asked all teams to conduct them. The Tampa Sports Authority didn't immediately return a call seeking comment. DC Forum, here we come!!
Posts: 4,910

10-27-2005, 08:04 PM	#2
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	Good deal. I hate Nazis.
Posts: 69,689

10-27-2005, 08:07 PM	#3
Simplex3 MVP Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $10004900	Man, that guy is a tool. Let's not even bother with the fact that by his standards you can't pat me down, put me through a metal detector, xray my bags, or otherwise check me over when I get on a plane. Let's just examine one simple fact: If the NFL and/or the team's owner would have built the damned stadium instead of tax dollars it would be a private even at a private facility and this guy would have no case. The NFL has nobody to thank here but themselves for dipping into the public coffer and hopefully it won't cost them dearly.
Posts: 28,527

10-27-2005, 08:31 PM	#4
Adept Havelock Obligatory Thoughtcriminal Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Flux,awaiting an observer Casino cash: $10004900	I expect this decision will be overturned in the name of common sense rather quickly. __________________ No matter how cynical you are, it is impossible to keep up. -Lily Tomlin I'd rather be a climbing monkey than a falling angel. -Terry Pratchett
Posts: 14,305

10-27-2005, 08:34 PM	#5
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3431616	This is a classic case of some shit-for-brains crying about his civil liberties and looking for his fifteen minutes of fame, instead of using common sense and doing the right thing. Although, I will say the pat downs at the stadium are a joke.
Posts: 100,692

10-27-2005, 08:36 PM	#6
Lbedrock1 Iron Giant Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Conyers, Ga Casino cash: $10005364	This will be the first guy that tries to sue the NFL when someone blows up a bomb. He will say that security was not tight enough. __________________
Posts: 558

10-27-2005, 09:00 PM	#8
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	I'd say this ruling will be overturned soon enough. If the Supreme Court can deem roadblock OUI checks acceptable in the name of the common good, they'll surely feel the same way about this. Humiliating? They must do it differently than they do at Arrowhead, because it's harmless as far as I'm concerned. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
Posts: 27,207

10-27-2005, 09:04 PM	#9
go bo Flop = Man of Steel!! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: independence Casino cash: $10006405	i dunno... it didn't tickle or anything when they did the pat down on me going into the redskins game...
Posts: 36,678

10-27-2005, 09:14 PM	#11
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $2016899	Regardless of the outcome of this, I have to agree that the pat downs (at least at Arrowhead) have been a joke. They barely even touch you. I could have brought in a bazooka shoved down my pants and gotten away with it. Last edited by DaFace; 10-27-2005 at 09:29 PM..
Posts: 51,791

10-27-2005, 09:32 PM	#14
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	Are they gonna pat down that 747 they can fly into the stadium? Just another excuse to erode personal freedoms. If the terrorists want to strike, they will strike. Just leave me the fuck out of it.
Posts: 69,689