I had to go to the Courthouse this morning to take care of a little family business. A quick stop at the Clerk's office thin across the hall to the Assessor. First, I had to go through the security kiosk in the lobby. Knowing the drill, I left everything I did not need in the car before I got to the steps of the Courthouse. That metal scanner is set so tight that I am surprised it did not detect the filling in my teeth
This is all theater. They started this bullshit after 9/11 to make the unaware unconcerned. Anyone with a smattering of operational knowledge knows that a routine security protocol is easy to bypass. Anyone with nefarious intent would find it easy to defeat. Even a feeble septuagenarian such as I could cause mayhem.
Still, the security detail provides employment for a half-dozen people. I suppose that is a god thing, even if the mission is kabuki.
7 comments:
My local courthouse is the only one I've ever seen that does NOT have security at the front door.
It is refreshing to walk in and out easily. Early this year they put up No Weapons signs; before that I had seen people open carrying there!
Jonathan
P.S. The courtroom itself does have security.
Grrr...yeah, kabuki theater is right. Plenty of open/blocked doors and ways around it.
Earlier this year, I went to County Clerk office to re-register an extension of a lien I have against another individual happening 30 years ago. When going to through security, I had forgotten I had a very small pocket lock blade knife on my person. The security gave me the option of returning to my distant vehicle in Texas heat or have it confiscated. i asked if they could just hold it for me - I would be out in 20 minutes. Nope - sorry. So I chose to leave it. I hope someone there kept it - it was a 70's issued Buck knife that was worthy of being kept.
No, this is actually a serious problem. Not only does it cause massive government bloat (we had to hire 6 new deputies), but those government employees vote for more government in future elections. The police-state and big-brother become self-reinforcing!
When I got called for jury duty last time I brought my knitting. They said it was 'dangerous' but were willing to hold it for me until I came back out. I would think a bored-out-of-her-skull woman is 'dangerous'; but what do I know.
"I suppose that is a god thing" is a typo, I am sure, but it still somehow seems appropriate.
Judy@1:52: So, the court clerk writes with a quill pen since obviously pens and pencils are potential weapons. No neckties allowed, either. Arrest that judge, he has a hammer, er, gavel!
Post a Comment