Einen interessanten Beitrag von solove habe ich in Concurring Opinions gefunden:

Sein Grund, die stichprobenartigen verdachtsunabhängigen Kontrollen von U-Bahn-Fahrgästen in New York abzulehnen, ist nicht, daß sich der Staat damit auf eine totalitäre Gesellschaft zubewegt, sondern die dadurch geschaffene Atmosphäre:

I am not arguing that we’re on a slippery slope toward totalitarianism. I am arguing that the “show of force” that Jason extols is something that totalitarian societies do, and it has effects on shaping people’s attitudes and their sense of freedom. It has “expressive” content. My argument is not that we’re going to quickly slide down the slope to Big Brother. Rather, my argument is that the searches and other displays of force Jason speaks about are similar tactics to those used in totalitarian societies. They won’t necessarily make us into such a society, but they do introduce different elements into our own society that will have some effect. Allowing police to search people as they travel about the city, without any suspicion of wrongdoing, is a significant change in the tone and tenor of life in NYC. Although this will not lead to the government’s installing telescreens into people’s homes anytime soon, the subway search policy isn’t a trivial initiative. Nor are the other displays of force Jason speaks about. They affect the very atmosphere in which we live.

Er hält damit auch gegen einen anderen Beitrag in diesem Blog, der diese Kontrollen auch unabhängig von einem konkreten Sicherheitsgewinn positiv bewertet, weil sie eine Machtdemonstration gegenüber Terroristen darstellen und das Sicherheitsgefühl der Bürger erhöhen:

The City has taken the view, reasonable in my opinion, that prevention is aided by demonstrating on a regular basis the power of the City’s security forces. Such a demonstration combines awe with surprise. Hercules teams appear suddenly in Times Square. Roadblocks, with heavy weaponry, are set up at the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge. Grand Central station is in a moment filled with officers. City blocks are cordoned off, with helicopters buzzing overhead.

The subway searches are a part of this strategy. They are one reminder among many that the City is being secured.

Das toll zu finden, ist nun wirklich etwas gaga …

Dazu noch ein Beitrag von solove:

The very “show of force” that Jason extols has another impact he doesn’t mention — it is also a display of police power to all people. Totalitarian societies also would engage in such displays of power — as a way of programming the population for greater social control and acceptance of that way of life. Jason writes glowingly of “high-tech surveillance,” “city commando teams,” “roadblocks,” “heavy weaponry,” “ity blocks . . . cordoned off,” and “helicopters buzzing overhead.” This description evokes Orwell’s Big Brother, not New York City.