The spirit of liberty seems to have been numbed in Scotland: “Pub-goers in Aberdeen are facing a drugs test before entering bars as part of a crackdown by Grampian Police. … The test is voluntary, but customers will be refused entry if they do not take part.” The tests will be conducted using a new technology that takes swabs of hands and analyzes them instantly for drug residues, which will be grounds for search or arrest. (BBC, Oct. 31, via Massie (“ghastly”)).
More: Per commenter Mike Blackburn, “As I understand it, the campaign was run by clubowners who wanted to find a way of keeping drugs out of their clubs. The police were only really involved as administrators.”
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” … The test is voluntary, but customers will be refused entry if they do not take part.”
Which most people would interpret as being compulsory testing. What’s the gaelic word for government double-speak?
I think its’ something like ‘blathershite’. Or maybe that’s the Saxon.
How long before the device is fitted to a doorknob capable of automaticaly scanning each person entering? How many other places will install these knobs?
Voluntary my ass. This is a basic violation of human dignity and deserves only contumely and derision. I recommend that all denizens, inhabitants, and residents of Aberdeen boycott the city’s downtown until the malarky ceases. Do not travel there, do not shop there, make no use of any facilities there of any nature. Have you any tickets to theater or cinema get a refund. Make the stupidity hurt.
Maybe we need to get Mel Gibson back up there to set things straight with Longshanks.
As I understand it, the campaign was run by clubowners who wanted to find a way of keeping drugs out of their clubs. The police were only really involved as administrators.
When law enforcement (or government of any kind) gets involved with things as administrators, there is an inherent tendency to move in the direction of tyranny. I’m not saying one day you’re getting swabbed for weed and than Mussolini comes to town. What I am saying is that when you enable the government to keep watch over the people such as in this case, they will absolutely use every means available to expand the scope of searches. First, for drug use at bars. Next, at scholastic athletic events. Then, show up at a high school football (soccer) game, and “tests are voluntary but you can’t get seat unless.” Then, get pulled over for traffic violation, and stick out your tongue…hey, your DNA has been flagged for further investigation in to…
At first I agreed that the drug testing seemed totally unreasonable. But I’ve changed my mind after reconsidering it based on the idea it was the club owner’s desire to keep drugs out of their clubs. How riled would anyone be if the story was that people must voluntarily submit to a metal detector in order to enter the clubs and finding concealed weapons could lead to arrests.