I read with great interest the stories this morning regarding Senator Rand Paul (KY) being ‘detained’ by the TSA.

At a Tennessee airport while en route to our nation’s Capital to participate in a Senate vote this afternoon at 4:30 PM, Senator Paul set off the scanner going through security.  A routine event he attributed to “a glitch.”  The scanner indicated he had metal on his leg; he lifted up his pant leg to show that he had no metal there and offered to go back through the scanner.  TSA screeners refused and demanded he submit to a pat-down, something the Senator has been vociferously against.  He was then escorted away and, if not detained, at least delayed until he booked a later flight and proceeded through the security scan without incident.

I found the incident itself aggravating – I personally will not fly because I passionately disagree with the purpose and tactics of the TSA and will not subject myself to illegal search and seizure*.  (I know I’m not the only person who has avoided air travel for this reason – I wonder if the airlines understood how much business they’re missing, if they would take action.  Hmmm.)  However, what I found most interesting, and frankly most encouraging about these articles were the comments.

American citizens over and over again sited Article 1, Section 6 of the US Constitution.  The CONSTITUTION!!  Our most sacred founding document!  Americans are not only reading it, they are applying it and, today, were passionately willing to use that document to hold the government accountable.  Yes!  I can barely contain my hope and enthusiasm.

The Article in question states: “The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.  They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.”

I realize the technicality is that Senator Paul wasn’t technically ‘arrested.’  The intent of the constitution, however, was to ensure that our representatives could not be delayed or in anyway prevented from attending to their responsibilities for the nation.  TSA screwed up today.  But their screw up could be another step toward our nation’s gain.

The major dissension between liberals and conservatives has to do with these simple questions:  Is the Constitution obsolete or is it relevant?  Is it time to abandon it or is it time to restore it?

The response today of citizens quoting that extraordinary and absolutely relevant document gives me hope that we will get the answer right.

*Amendment IV of the US Constitution states: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be searched.

 

 

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