Pete wrote:GP40MC 1116 wrote:I hate to say it, but since the MBTA is a "Authority"under the State of MA, when the Gov says something, you have to do it, no if's and's buts about it.
How did you arrive at this interpretation of the law?
The MBTA's status as an "authority" in this sense indicates only that it is a quasi-public corporation charged with a specific mandate, not subject to local control, and independent of the Commonwealth in a fiduciary sense for bonding purposes. "Authority" should not be mistaken for some sort of all-powerful ruling body.
Much like the MBTA, the governor holds only certain specific powers granted by the constitution of the Commonwealth, at the pleasure of the electorate, to enforce that constitution. This does not give him supreme authority to abridge the constitutional rights of individuals. I hold title to all "ifs," "ands," and "buts" that the constitution does not specifically deny me.
I am free to *not* consent to the searches and leave the system. In fact, if asked to be searched, this is precisely what I plan on doing. It was well documented in 2004 that those declining consent would be asked to leave. I'm fine with that. The great majority of my trips are faster by bicycle. However the MBTA thinks it best to make up the small amount of lost revenue is fine by me. As the bumper stickers someone should make should say, freedom is worth more than $1.25.
I agree wholeheartedly with the many people here who see through this as a cynical ploy by an administration trying to promote its top two officials to higher offices. It is consistent with their overall approach across the board in the recent past. Keeping people in a state of panic for political gain is fearmongering at its worst, as it ultimately will needlessly hasten complacency, and endanger everyone more. It is shameful behavior.
I now regret posting on this tipic because I see how people are taking this personal, rather than we can have a friendly discussion as we are all railfans.Yes you have the right to decline the searches, we all do, but as you stated, Transit Police will have you leave the system. I don't mind them taking 5 minutes out of my day to check my bag, thats not a problem. I persoanlly don't get involved in politics, neither do i live in Mass, so some of you may think the bag searches are some sort of "political move"
I don't get involved nor try to "worry" about all these issues, they don't effect me when I travel on the MBTA system, and until they get so bad, then maybie i will say something, but not now, it's a Transit Authority moving over millions of people weekly if not daily, nothing can be perfect,hoever with that said safety is a issue that needs to be adressed and kept as a top priority. I see that things look to be moving in the right direction