Drug Testing

4TH AMENDMENT BARS UNREASONABLE SEARCHES

I applaud Ben Clinger's Nov. 21 pro-drug-testing letter lambasting
"the ACLU's intent to destroy the fundamental principles of the
country by needless and costly suits."

But, since Ben, no doubt inadvertently, forgot to mention which
"fundamental principle" was being destroyed by the ACLU opposing
searches without a search warrant or probable cause, I thought I'd
point out the text for him: "Amendment IV: The right of the people to
be secure in their persons, houses, paper, 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 seized."

However, Ben made a minor typo when he concluded, "I definitely say
NO to drugs when it comes to the youth of this state." It appears he
actually meant to say, "I definitely say NO to the Fourth Amendment
when it comes to the youth of our state."

Fixed!

Jim Henshaw

Kailua