Friday, October 28, 2005

Look Out Cobra!!!!!!!

A judge on Thursday sided with a high school civics teacher who sued to stop security ``pat-downs'' at Tampa Bay Buccaneers games. The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida filed a lawsuit Oct. 13 on behalf of Bucs season ticket-holder Gordon Johnston. It sought to stop Raymond James Stadium officials from conducting the ``suspicionless'' searches that began last month after the NFL implemented enhanced security at stadiums throughout the league. Circuit Judge Perry Little agreed with Johnston Thursday, issuing a temporary injunction stopping the searches until the lawsuit is resolved. The next Bucs home game is Nov. 6. The NFL said in a statement it was ``disappointed'' by the decision, but hadn't had a chance to review the court's opinion. ``Pat-downs at other NFL stadiums should not be affected by this ruling,'' the statement said. ``We believe these limited screenings are reasonable and important to the protection of our fans.'' Johnston testified in a hearing last week that the searches violate his constitutional rights because they were ``invasive without necessity.'' Security would be more effective if staff spent more time watching ticket holders and less time touching them, he said. ``Why do I need to lose my rights to go to the game?'' he said. ``I'd say it's humiliating. If I did that to my students, do you know what would happen to me?'' The Tampa Sports Authority, which operates the stadium, approved the pat-downs in September after the NFL asked all teams to conduct them. The Tampa Sports Authority didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.