Proof that the U.S. is dumb.Follow

Ok, This is just ******* stupid in the extreme. I was hopeing that it was going to get tossed out in court, but it appears that we are collectivly as a society too stupid to exist anymore. This means that any customs agent can detain anyone with a mobile device trying to enter the united states (including U.S. Citizens), strip their data from their electronic devices, Keep that data forever, and all without a warrent. It was challenged in a lawsuit, but that effort apperently failed. Not only that, they are planning to conduct random spot checks without any suspicion. That means if you re enter the country, there is a random chance that some low paid armed buerocrat with minimal IT training will be going through your laptop, most likely looking for your **** collection and financial details.

Someone really needs to nuke us. We're obviously to stupid to exist anymore.


http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2008/05/05/exclusive-tougher-security-checks-to-enter-us-as-laptops-and-mobile-phones-searched-89520-20405885/

Exclusive: tougher security checks to enter US as laptops and mobile phones searched
By Jon Clements And Chris Hughes 5/05/2008

Tourists visiting the US face even tougher security checks now airport officials can search through mobile phones and laptops.

Guards can download any details contained in the items and keep them indefinitely, following a new court ruling.

The latest legislation could mean lengthier queues as security copy photos, emails and phone records. Visitors already face hour-long waits while armed officers take fingerprints and photos.

Travel agents' group Abta stormed: "It's another ratcheting up of Fortress America. It's certainly not a good thing for passengers - it is rather Big Brother."

There are also fears immigration staff may mistakenly corrupt or erase vital computer details. Abta added: "We'd like to know if they're going to be properly trained to check computers and conduct many spot checks they plan to carry out."

Dr Guy Bunker, of UK-based IT security experts Symantec, said: "Hopefully, they won't search everybody's data - or we may wait in line for weeks. There's also the chance of data being compromised."

He added that some business travellers particularly were now so alarmed they may fly to America with blank laptops.

It comes after a US Appeal Court ruled Los Angeles airport officials acted lawfully when a random search found child **** on a passenger's computer.

Judge Diarmuid O'Scannlain said: "Reasonable suspicion is not needed for customs officials to search a laptop or other personal electronic storage devices."

But Shami Chakrabarti, of civil rights group Liberty, insisted: "It's one thing to look for drugs and explosives, another to conduct data trawls without suspicion."

Section 38 of the US visa form asks: Do you seek to enter the United States to engage in export control violations, subversive or terrorist activities, or any other unlawful purpose? Are you a member or representative of a terrorist organization as currently designated by the U.S. Secretary of State? Have you ever participated in persecutions directed by the **** government of Germany; or have you ever participated in genocide?

(Tick YES or NO)

4,176,211

Number of visits to America from the UK in 2006

What do you expect from a nation that elected a complete moron to the highest office in the land.


Twice.

This is what **** happens when not just the president but the legislature and a major percentage of the population rolls over when civil and personal rights are systematically violated in the name of greater security. The Chickens have come home to roost and we're paying, as American, for our own mistakes and the fact that the majority of people have been ruled by fear and are so disengaged from the political process, we've lost all control over our own government. It's not new that the populous lack power but that still does not excuse mass collective apathy in the face of political corruption and powermongering.

Naw, that's from Billy-D's Political Generator. It's a copy-pasta site for people that want to skirt the edge of saying anything with real substance versus sounding stupid, yet having a driving need to fit in.

As for the OP, this sounds far too much of a 4th, 5th and 14th amendment issue to me. I was surprised by the Judge's lack of balls in upholding our striped out Constitution. Oh, right, nevermind.

But hey, I'm no Constitutional Lawyer.

Edited, May 5th 2008 10:36am by Kaelesh

God no, I am waiting for Eugene Debs to be reincarnated. Politically speaking.

RACK pissing off the world and our own citizens. Tell me, who else is capable of that? I submit that this proves once again that when we put our mind to it no one-- and I mean no one --can beat us when it comes to being the best in the world. We took a catagory nobody had ever thought to compete in and DOMINATED.

Yeeeeah.

/nods

Totem

They flamed the **** out of you, not the arguement, if I recall.

I'm sure that somebody will notice that this is a clear violation of 4th amendment rights.

Eventually.

Like football? American football?

So American Flag contact lenses? Got it.

"Like football? American football?" --Anna

/flex

Yup. Real football.

Totem

I won't even touch the hours I waited in Charles De Gaulle airport as we, Americans, all missed our connecting flights b/c we couldn't get through a interminable non-EU line. Then after missing our flight, we had to get into another line to get another connecting flight that was so long, we missed the next flight too. But I got a coupon and could buy a cafe au lait.

It isn't relevant. I'm just bitter.

Oh and if you were an American citizen of Middle East descent, you'd be subject to the same scrutiny as any foreign national.





Edited, May 5th 2008 3:01pm by Annabella

Now you know how we feel when we visit the U.S.