Posted 6/05/2006 11:52:00 PM by Douglas

Welcome to Texas, your papers please.

Pop open that cooler, sir.

Starting Tuesday, vehicles and passengers will be subject to screening before boarding the Galveston-Port Bolivar ferries.

Why mention the cooler? Does the ferry have different alcohol laws than any other Texas roadway does?

William Mallini, the ferry operations manager, said he believes fireworks are prohibited, but that firearms for which the owner has a permit are allowed. Alcohol regulations on the ferry are the same as on the highway, he said.

So why mention it? Because it makes for a good story, and diverts attention from the real story: Homeland Security:

The random screenings are part of the U.S. Coast Guard Homeland Security program and will be conducted by SeaWolf Marine Patrol, a security firm, under direction of the Texas Department of Transportation.

Motorists who refuse will not be allowed to board, TxDOT said.

Local TxDOT spokeswoman Janelle Gbur said screeners do not reveal what they will be looking for, and she did not know what items are banned.

So TxDOT has hired a private security firm to "screen" those entering the Bolivar ferry, yet they have no idea what they're "screening" for?

For the sake of equal time, here's the Fourth Amendment:

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, 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.

Get a warrant, ferry boy.