News-Record.com

Unfortunately, the City of Greensboro's move is part of a growing trend by governments to restrict the movements of citizens and to intrude on their privacy with security as the excuse. These are public places and it seems questionable that citizens have to consent to a search before they can enter. As citizens are forced to consent to being searched, the next step is that inevitably they will have to present ID to enter certain buildings, ride the bus, use a parking deck, etc.

Already there is a measure requiring citizens to present ID to enter federal buildings on the books and it will be implemented within a couple of years. Look for state and local buildings to follow. Eventually, this will lead to a tracking of citizen's movements as the policy is spread to other public locales such as parks, roads, etc. Of course, it is all for our "protection."

The "security" these measures provide is questionable at best, as an armed individual who is intent on gaining access and doing harm would have no problem doing so. A perfect example is school campuses, where people are required to present ID, go through metal detectors, etc. and there are even armed Sheriff's deputies on site. In Orange County, an armed student shot three people before surrendering, despite these measures.

People who say "if you don't have anything to hide then you have nothing to fear" have obviously never worked in government or seen firsthand the abuses that are prevalent in various levels of government. I used to work in the state court system and law enforcement and believe me, there is plenty to fear.

These measures are enacted for our "protection" but down the road, when it is too late to stop the trend, they will end up being used for other purposes, if they haven't already. I couldn't see the Founding Fathers agreeing to people being searched to check out a library book or to pay their water bill.

Funny that Yvonne Johson is concerned about being shot. She's the one that brought shame to the Mayor's position by using it for personal advantage and repaying the developers and attorneys bailing her and her husband out of their predicaments.

No.

Who is going to protect the public from them?
They are far more dangerous than us with their abuse of power, lack of concern for the tax payers, giving in to big developers, their all
mighty attitudes, and these are their best qualities. I am more afraid of them than they should be of me. After all they break the laws every time they have a meeting. There are so many cover-ups (GDP is one, Mitch Johnson another) that never get answered. The only danger facing them is when they look in the mirror. When will people wake up and hold people in power accountable.

I agree with anonyomous above. Big city government is growing and enforcing more and more restrictions on its' citizenry.

Mr. Marshburn was searched, and there were "NO" weapons found. He was found to have mace and a bullhorn. From what I understand, Mr. Marshburn suffers from severe rhematoid arthritis and carries mace as a means of self defense.

Mr. Mitch Johnson would do well to remember the part of "innocent until PROVEN guilty" before making such statements as the ones he made in the article above.

Most of the citizens of Greensboro, are probably unaware of the many rights, civil liberties, etc. that have been undone by our local, state, and federal government. More and more theses governments are wanting to get into our private lives and property.

Everyone would be well served to read the recently released book, Revolution-A Manifesto, by Ron Paul. This is an excellent quick read, a MUST read to inform yourself of what the government has done and is doing to remove your "Constitutional" rights. It would also be prudent, smart, and wise to read a copy of The Constituion and the Bill of Rights. For most of us these are documents we learned about in long ago civics classes.

It is a proven fact that once liberties and freedoms are removed, they are near impossible to ever be regained.

May the Greensboro City Government have permission to tell you where to go and when, oh, yeah, and what to take with you when you go?
I am in agreement with annoyed to the point of beyond belief that anyone in Greensboro would want these restrictions.

Wake up Greensboro. Enough is enough. The Council even wants a raise to make our lives more unbearable.