Posted by KikiSquigglebottom (anonymous) on October 29, 2008 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I assume they didn't find anything but since when does being a minor mean you aren't entitled to civil liberties? The Fourth Amendment was designed to protect Americans from illegal searches and seizures by the government. Unless they had reasonable suspicions, they had no business raiding any school. And since they didn’t target specific students this was a clear violation of the Fourth Amendment.

The Bush administration, aided by many Congressional Democrats and Republicans, has worked to gut both constitutional and legal protections for the privacy rights and civil liberties of American citizens. The next administration must reverse course, demonstrating that it recognizes it is tasked to defend a free society not undermine it.

Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on October 30, 2008 at 6:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As I stated before, squiggleBOTTOM, what planet did you come from? If my kids were in a school and it was locked down for law enforcement to search for drugs OR weapons, even if it WASN'T legal, I would pave the way! The law is trying to snuff out drugs and keep other kids and teenagers safe away from home. If things were your way, according to your comment, it may as well be legal to sell drugs in school!

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 6:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I travel through airports all the time. My person, and my luggage, get searched without my consent. Doesn't bother me because I know that I'm not guilty of anything nefarious and they are doing it for the safety of everyone. I think kids would be better off with a few fewer 'liberties' and less 'expectation of privacy' until they get grown, on or off of government property.

Posted by luckyme (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 7:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No students got searched as a part of this. The dogs are walked down the hallway and sniff around the lockers as they go. If they hit, then the locker is searched.

As was established LONG before Bush came along, air is free. You do not own the air around your person or property, therefore it is free to be searched (sniffed).

Posted by RebelMom2 (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 7:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am a parent at one of the schools that was searched and I am glad that my child's 'civil liberties' were violated. I am more concerned with the safety and well-being of my children as well as every other child at school than with their civil liberties. Keep up the good work!

Posted by heathermc (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

it says on the school property (a sign is posted) as well as in handbooks that anyone, any property, and any vehicle entering the premises is subject to search. I went to school here and it never bothered me to be searched. What the problem was when our football players got suspended and couldn't play b/c they got caught with them. Everybody got mad. If they are doing these things get mad all you want it is the law and the government is entitled to search there property anytime they want just like you search yours anytime you want. Get over it.

Posted by bobbyb (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why cant they do these searches more often? If my kids were in school I would be happy if they did a drug search every day! MY THANKS to the local law enforcement personel!!

Posted by PhotoGirl (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 9:01 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by 2byz (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Are you serious? By your words, one would be ENTITLED to think, you are either still a child or have something you'd rather keep under raps (or maybe both, but it's only a hunch). Why would you not think there is probable cause to search a school? Persons of all ages, races, sex, and educational backgrounds, make, use, and sell drugs! You apparently do not read very much news. There is a school in Northeast Alabama that had a teacher arrested after being caught making & selling Meth. Now don't you think that maybe if a search had been done, then maybe not as many children would have come in contact with that DANGEROUS drug? Well I do. I understand people will & can get drugs any & everywhere, don't you? I also have had the very unpleasant fortune to deal with persons with addictions, they are very sad and unnpredictable people. It is a disease. Do you want to start a disease? Well by not at least trying to steer people away from drugs, you are. So if by going to schools or any other place where people gather, it will make drug dealers scurry looking for another place to do their dirty deeds, well DO IT! If we don't start trying to protect OUR future now, this means the children, then we won't have one! Are you serious, Fourth Ammendment my hinney! We that are parents, know that all rights are out the window when it comes to saving our children!

Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on October 30, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Dang! ...

Posted by getbizi (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I find it hard to believe that someone is against keeping drugs out of schools. KIKI, wake up! These are not the 1950s'. Chewing gum, talking out of turn, and playing hookie used to be big problems. Now we have crystal meth, heroine, bomb threats, and guns in schools. I guess those are considered "civil liberties" to someone like yourself!

Posted by johnnie (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As a parent with a child in high school, and of children that have recently graduated, I am thankful that they do the random drug search. I cannot tell you how many times my son, who graduated in 2008, came home and told us that somebody was dealing drugs in the gym or wherever. My 9th grader is aware of kids in the middle school that take and sell drugs, go to wild parties and get drunk. Who cares about their Rights??? I sure don't. If all parents cared what their kids were doing, stayed involved with them, and beat their behinds when they needed it, the entire world would be a better place. Personally I'm sick and tired of my childs education being interrupted by misbehaving, drug dealing wild brats.

Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

In terms of legality - using drug sniffing dogs does not constitute a search of property. When and if the dogs discover something, then an actual search of property (in this case a student's locker) is executed and can be executed without a warrant, in reference to the 1984 New Jersey vs. TLO ruling that states searches in public schools are permitted without a warrant as long as the officers have "reasonable grounds." Therefore, probable cause is not required in public school searches.

Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

And BTW, as for you non-Sequitur attack on the Patriot Act and the Bush Administration - the use of K9 dogs in school searches has been going on long before 9/11 and The Patriot Act and even predate Columbine. The two are hardly related.

Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on October 30, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Earth to squigglebottom ... are you gettin' all this? Houston, we have a problem ... Maw! Get ma gun, sumpm ain't right! Dangit Luke, get offa ma leg! MAW! We takin' the dang dog to Doc Purdy's, he ain't right!

Posted by KikiSquigglebottom (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What happened to innocent until proven guilty? Having once been a teenager, one thing that bothered me was people assuming I was doing something or would do something. I didn't do drugs then, don't do them now and firmly believe that unless someone gives you just cause to suspect them of actually doing something, then their rights should be respected.Everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion, but once again I see a lot of personal attacks instead responding civilly to the topic. If you disagree with me, that's your right. I would like to leave you with this quote from Benjamin Franklin "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." That's all I have to say about this.

Posted by getbizi (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ben Franklin didnt have to worry about drugs in schools! I guess you have a problem with metal detectors in court houses and in LA schools?

Posted by chiltonisgodscountry (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

NO QUOTING LAW, ETC. JUST PLAIN OLD COMMON SENSE!!!!! THANK GOD MY CHILDREN ARE GROWN AND OUT OF SCHOOL BUT THE LAST GRADUATED IN 1992. DRUGS WERE A PROBLEM THEN AND ARE STILL A PROBLEM NOW. I CAN TRUTHFULLY SAY THAT IF MY CHILD WAS A STUDENT AT EITHER SCHOOL THAT WAS SEARCHED, I WOULD BE PROVIDING LUNCH FOR THE POLICE FORCE TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO HELP PROTECT MY CHILD, AS I COULD NOT BE WITH HIM 24/7. IT IS PARENTS LIKE YOU, KIKI, THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE DELINQUENCY OF OUR CHILDREN TODAY. YOU WANT TO WORRY ABOUT THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS.....I WOULD BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WHIPPING THEIR BEHINDS FOR PUNISHMENT AND REMINDING THEM WHO THE PARENT IS IN MY FAMILY. I WAS RAISED THIS WAY AND KNOW WITHOUT A DOUBT THAT I AM A BETTER CITIZEN TODAY FOR THE WAY MY PARENTS RAISED ME. WAKE UP BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE AND YOU ARE VISITING YOUR CHILD IN PRISON SOME DAY.

Posted by AllSeeingEye (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Whoa hold on a minute. The same people who regularly argue that there should be LESS government intrusion in our lives want the government to make sure their kids stay off drugs? Do you have any idea how hypocritical this is? Where's the call for personal responsibility for parents to make sure their kids don't do drugs? Naw, just let the government handle it - God forbid someone actually sits down and talks to their own children when we can keep them under control with searches and drug tests regardless if it violates their privacy. This is just another example of how people will let fear influence their judgment. I guess next you people will support random drug searches and tests for all citizens regardless of our constitutional rights. It's a slippery slope people!

Posted by Creek (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kids make mistakes....while they are in school they are too young to make the right decisions all the time. They need someone looking over their shoulder, someone to make sure they stay on the straight and narrow, someone to check their vehicle for drugs or other things they don't need, someone to spot check their text messages, someone to spot check their my space page, and yes someone who cares enough to request that drug dogs check the schools for drugs. Parents should be checking in closets and the back of drawers at home. You might be surprised at what you will find. Children's safety is the most important thing. Maybe if a child got caught at school with drugs, it might stop a terrible habit before they become frequent users. I think sometimes there is too much trust. Parents should want to know what their children are doing. I am thankful these type of checks take place. I really hope it makes kids think twice about drugs. That temporary safety you are talking about might just be what saves a childs life. Things have been over looked long enough. Keep the searches going.

Posted by 2byz (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That is exactlly who should be calling the shots! The parents! DHR can either get me now for spanking my children or the law later when they come looking for me to answer why my children broke the law. My children are grown, but I can remember when I spanked my kids, my parents would say I should be concerened that someone would call DHR. I never had many problems with my children because I was not afraid to take charge of their behaviors and would give them rules and stand by what I said I would do if they broke the rules! That is why we have them ( Laws ), so everyone has the chance to live safe and happy! Drugs DO NOT offer this to anyone espically the children! What future do we offer them if we, as adults, don't take charge and responsibility for their actions now?

Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ASE - classic straw man. Among the many problems inherent in this fallacy is the fact that the same can be reversed and applied to your arguments. Are you not FOR big government, FOR more governmental control, etc. (just making an example, not making assumptions).

And furthermore - HUGE difference between expecting our government to function under the mandates of our federal and state constitutions, between actions taken to ensure domestic tranquility and the institution of the nanny state. Yes it is my responsibility to ensure my children can makes informed, intelligent decisions when it comes to drug abuse (and a host of other topics) and not the government. But at the same time it IS the government's responsibility to ensure the safety of our public institutions and it IS the government's responsibility to enforce the laws of our state. In this particular case, no privacy is imposed upon here without reasonable expectation. Having a dog walk down the hallway sniffing the air hardly constitutes a violation of one's personal property, even in the broadest sense.

But, I guess I'm just one of "those people," driven by fear and hatred.

Posted by Creek (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Some children don't get the correct guidance they need from their parents. They don't get taught right from wrong because the parents are to busy living their own lives and drinking and doing drugs to care about what their children are doing. Some of these parents don't even know what time their children get home at night and where they have been when they are gone. Due to this, we need someone checking the schools to make sure that the children are safe. The children that are doing or selling the drugs and the children that are innocent need protection and help. Usually the innocent are the one's that get hurt. I don't see where government has anything to do with this. I just see concerned people making sure the schools are kept drug free and safe for kids to get their education.

Posted by trouble5432000 (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh my God, people when I went to one of the schools that was searched I was glad for them to do the searchs. I felt safer because they found a gun on school property. It was harmless but it could have been more serious. Let's look at what happened at Columbine. Kids are put into more serious issues than what was around when we were kids. I am glad to see our local government taking care of our future leaders.

Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on October 30, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ASE! ... get back under your rock. Who said you could come out and play? ... and what is it with you and this "FEAR" thing? You must stay scared to death.

Posted by NoSugar (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, I would have never guessed this subject would have sparked so much controversy. I am thankful for any effort our government makes to help keep our kids off drugs. I know there are many drug incidents that take place in our middle schools on a daily basis. Statistics have repeatedly shown this is where most drug problems begin. I believe these searches should be done on a regular basis and also believe our county school system could benefit from some school resource officers. As for these searches being a violation of any rights as a parent I tell my teens as long as I am not abusing them and they have food clothing and shelter they have no other rights.

Posted by hurricanekelli (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i see all the talk about GOD.... This should be a separation of church and state..God can not help your child if he/she is on drugs.. Better look for some real help and leave the prayers else where..

Posted by AllSeeingEye (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The only other thing I have to add to this subject is that by not caring that they search schools or give random drug tests with no probable cause or warrant, then basically you're saying to your kids: "I don't trust you." Is that the kind relationship you want with your children? I'm not telling anybody how to raise their kids, but if you make it clear to them the dangers and benefits of drugs (illegal and legal) then they should be able to make a responsible choice as an individual.

I also know that no matter how much you talk to them, or search, or drug test - kids will experiment with drugs. This is a fact. So, it seems like common sense to me to be proactive instead of reactive and communicate instead of relying on others to do your job as a parent for you.

Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on October 30, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey Rickey ... what's it like being Quilty?

Posted by getbizi (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ASE, do you have children? I do, and realize that there are kids out there who dont have parents that properly guide their actions. The children's homes are full of kids taken out of homes where the parents were irresponsible, unimaginable stories. That's where government can and should step in. No one here is advocating breaking down doors and dragging kids off. But the world we live in is not Mayberry anymore.

Posted by NoSugar (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No only is it not Mayberry anymore but no matter how good a parent you are your child will still come in contact with another child who doesnt have good parents. Then some times no matter how good a parent you are your child is just determined to rebel. Searching the schools with dogs is just a little added incentive to help keep our children away from drugs, some you cant help and they will rebel no matter what but there are always others who are on the fence and searching the schools can put those children on the right side of the fence or catch a potential threat before it causes an addiction or takes a life. Not all children or teens experiment with drugs and alcohol, some do make the right choice. As for the violation of any rights this is not a violation and I for one do not worry about such things when I or my child is not doing anything illegal. In my experience those who speak of such violations tend to have something to hide.

Posted by UAEng (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ASE do you think that we shouldn't use metal detectors at Government buildings and airports as well? It's simple when you walk on school property then you give consent to have your personal property searched (i.e. cars, lockers, etc...) Have you never seen the signs that are posted at every school? I'm glad you work for yourself because guess what. Pretty much all employees enforce random drug tests.

Posted by UAEng (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"employees" should be "employers". Sorry

Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on October 30, 2008 at 6:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How do you "preform" a random school drug search?

Posted by chilcopch (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 10:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hcane Kelli!
I would like to point out the comment that this person posted! I REALLY REALLY cant think of anything that I could not pray about and it not help the situation. No matter what is going on in this world I believe that putting church and state together is right because our laws were based on the (book of life) bible. I cant belive that someone would insinuate that putting prayer aside and not using it as a tool to right any wrongs would be wasting time. Also saying that God cant heal is absurd. I am totally in "awe" of how people view their maker. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!!

Posted by trouble5432000 (anonymous) on October 30, 2008 at 11:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Amen chilcopch!! This country was founded on religion and I think we should put it back into the schools. When I first started school we stood up every morning and said the Pledge of Allegience and said our prayers. We did it every morning until one person said that it was "infringing" on someones rights. What about the rights of us that were for it? Maybe if we put religion back into the schools kids would turn out better!!

Posted by 2byz (anonymous) on October 31, 2008 at 1:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

OH MY GOD! Just what do you consider an issue that we should not pray about hurricanekelli, are you serious or are you just stupid? I CANNOT believe I have just read this! How could you, as a "responsible person", really make a statement that God cannot help you if you are on drugs, when can He not help? If you are serious, you are just the type person that has helped this nation become what is has, a mess, as far as Church and State are concerned! If it were not for the Church, we would have NO STATE! Not at any time, as I understand it, was there just one person looked at or searched at any of the schools! The dogs walked down the halls, out in the parking lots, and around the buildings, is this not correct? Only if the dogs would have gotten a hit or scent would they have needed to search any one person's personal belongings! At this point, you already have probable cause to search and seize! Oh, I just can't get past the ignorant comments! Please, are you really serious????? Please say you are joking, just to get someone like myself up in the air.

Posted by sleepyoney2k (anonymous) on October 31, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Civil liberties are guaranteed to protect your PRIVATE property. Therefore, I agree wholeheartedly with using whatever methods are necessary to keep drugs out of public schools. People will argue that drugs will be sold wherever by determined individuals. The same could be said about thieves. A determined thief will get what he wants. Does this mean that I should take the locks off of my door? No! The same goes with law enforcement. They should not back down and just let people sell drugs wherever, especially on school property or government owned property. If by using drug sniffing dogs the police can stop even one transaction from taking place at school, then I think it is well worth it.