Unreasonable

I'd say this sounds like it falls way over into the "Unreasonable search and seizure" clause of the Constitution. How long before someone fights this one in court? If the "Feds" can search and seize our computers at the border without reasonable cause or due process, then what's the stop them from extending that policy to any other situation?

Famous Quote

Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.

--- Benjamin Franklin

Unreal

This sounds to me that travelling to the US now is like going to one of the fictitious (??) countries where people have no rights and the government can do whatever they want with them without needing any explanation. It's unbelievable how far back in human rights and respect we came.

The worst part is that the ones that will suffer the most are the American people with damages to tourism and even businesses.

You don't really need outside terrorism when your own government takes on the role for you.

Freedom?

I laugh every time I hear an American say their free. It's a joke. This government is taking away all your rights and freedoms one at a time. America is not free and is starting to look like Russia in the 60s. In my country (Canada) if ANY official asked to see ANYTHING belonged to me I would tell him to get packing or produce a search warrant. Land of the free my A$$.

Welcome

to the Bush/GOP Police State.

the government

enjoys a broad right to control entry into the country, according to our courts, which entitles it to do things which it could not ordinarily do to citizens.

However, that does not mean it is right or smart to make the US seem even more unfriendly to travelers, in a time of globalization. Somewhere in a cave in Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden is laughing his a** off.

if

you were one of those people who said after 9/11, "I'm willing to give up some of my rights for security," how do you feel about that now?

It is a lot different when it is YOUR freedom being taken away, rather than some other (brown-skinned) person, huh? After all it won't affect you, right? WRONG.

wow

now that's American!

vomit

biggest

load of sh*t I have ever heard in my life... Love the Franklin Quote (It's been on my sig line for several years) so here's a few more...

"It's unbelievable, that a country (The United States) that many of us have looked to as the bastion of true freedom could now have eroded so many of the liberties we believed were upheld almost religiously." -- Nobel Peace Prize Winner - Archbishop Desmond Tutu

"You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom."
Malcolm X

Just sick

I can't believe it's true, but wait, no, it's America, now I believe it. After all the great past ideas and laws (Patriot Act, Echelon etc.) this is just the next step. It's getting more and more like 1984.
I'm European and proud to be one

biggest

load of c*** I have ever heard in my life... Love the Franklin Quote (It's been on my sig line for several years) so here's a few more...

"It's unbelievable, that a country (The United States) that many of us have looked to as the bastion of true freedom could now have eroded so many of the liberties we believed were upheld almost religiously." -- Nobel Peace Prize Winner - Archbishop Desmond Tutu

"You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom."
Malcolm X

US recession...

...I don't go to the US anymore - I used to enjoy it but the last border inspection leaving the car leather seats covered in dog paw mud without any concern for the 'user experience' or even the offer of a towel left me feeling abused for offering to invest my vacation dollars in a foreign economy...

I've met many great Americans, appreciate that as a traveller I am a guest & understand the issues are complex however it seems that somehow the terrorists may actually winning if the US is being systematically 'locked down'...

They are the law

Quote: "and there is no more probable cause to leave the information on file"

Tha means nothing else than: they can keep it as long as they want.

h*** naw

I'll be going to jail if they try that c*** on me!

F-- That

Thats it, im done with the US. My plans for a Vegas vacation is over. My plans of shopping in Washington are over. To bad for US retail near the boarder.

Wow

This sounds like a great way to pick up a few thousand high end laptops during a time of serious budget reductions. Wish I had thought of it first...

Remember this?

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.

now we're safe!

Well, before terrorists were streaming into the country carrying laptops with their plans to overthrow the US. Now we're safe, because there will be no way to get those plans into the US!

What's next, blocking off all foreign internet access because it could be carrying terrorist data? Read every email being passed around (oh, right, they're already doing that).

I guess those apologists who said they didn't mind the US reading emails because they "have nothing to hide" now understand why people have been up-in-arms over these types policies. Give the gov't a little lee-way, and they'll want to take it as far as they can, all in the name of "security".

Now, how long does one have to give up their freedoms to remain 'free'?

New sign at the border...

Welcome to Fascist America.

Osama wins again

Why do we bother having a military? Osama won a war with 20 men and "box cutters"
We mock China for censorship- but we now are open game for the "government" to take our property?
It's time to do what our forefathers did- revolt and overthrow the government.

sounds to me...

...like the 'terrorists' won!

Is just the beginning...

I've read of people been undressed and humiliated in front of others and yelled at, this is just to intimidate and make people accept this is "just the way it is". They are the ones in charge and unfortunately WE let them. Our nation has reached its end. It's all downhill from here.

take heart...

... from the unanimity with which the news is being reviled on this forum. For those in a position to do so, they should remember this when November comes around!

Another Quote

Why of course the people don't want war... It is the leaders... who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along... all you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country." --Hermann Goring

Farewell....

Farewell Miss Liberty. We hardly knew yee.

U.S. less free now

I used to travel in the U.S. a lot more. Since all the Homeland Security policies have been implemented, I find it's less hassle and less uptight to travel just here in Canada. I like Americans as individuals (esp. as my maternal grandparents were American!), but I find that the U.S. government is getting more and more paranoid to the point of getting ridiculous, creating a huge expensive bureaucracy. It's much more relaxed and laid back in Canada, even though the government here has bought into a bit of the paranoia.

There's an excellent book by Gavin de Becker called "Fear Less," that shows how much of the new security measures are totally useless and only political. He's a U.S. security expert and describes ways that would really make a difference. I wish Bush and the Homeland Security people would read it - however, then many of them might be out of a job. And there's nothing worse than an insecure Homeland Security officer, eh?... -)

Terrorists Win

GAME OVER. TERRORISTS WIN.

Unbelievable

This makes me sick. It's become an embarrassment to be an American.

The Bush/neocon 9/11 junta is working!

No recourse

of course. Make sure you have a good backup.

"You are now free to be more productive."

Freedoms GONE

You think this is bad? Wait until they go for the unification and make canada, mexico and the US as one! And the so called new currency, "amero" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NorthAmericancurrency_union). No more constitution and NO MORE RIGHTS! Its coming faster than you think...

And...

A nation of sheep does nothing in response, except to laugh at the libertarians and "Paul-tards" who have been trying to warn them for years that this was coming. The American people are getting exactly the government they deserve.

The new USSR

I never thought I would feel more free living under an Arab dictatorship than living in the US. I do today... and have written my Senator (Harry Reid) to tell him so.

This policy is going way too far and is well beyond unreasonable. My entire business: customer lists, source code to our products, financial records, emails are now up for grabs by any government agent.

Most data is kept on disk image files with 256bit encryption and I would never give up the password... perhaps it will gain me a free trip to Cuba.

God I hate what my country has become.

Perhaps we can ask Russia if Lenin might be relocated to the Mall in DC.

Raise h***...

...with your senator. Don't delay. Don't write another post. Do it now. Demand your senator take action. Tell your friends and family to do it now. Don't wait for November (but don't forget November either). The power-elite in American need to hear the swell of the collective voices of the people; it will scare the s*** out of them.

this

was coming ever since the day bush said you're either with us or the terrorists. it's been fear politics for 8 long years. and this stupid country could have put him out of office 4 years ago.

love the quote by goering another poster posted. here's the entire thing:

"Why of course the people don't want war. Why should some poor slob on
a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best he can get out of
it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally the common people
don't want war neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in
Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the
country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to
drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist
dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no
voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders.
That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked,
and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the
country to danger. It works the same in any country."

sound familiar? it should. all you have to do is turn on fox news every night.

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Two Thoughts

1. What has happened to the once-great beacon of the world, America?? Why haven't the Americans stood up to this ongoing rape of their own Constitution and all the admirable values it enshrines??
   
   2. Though I despair for my former country (yes, I got the h*** out -- "love it or leave it" so I left it), I am a little heartened by the commenters here. If everyone who wrote a post would register and vote, then there is a chance of undoing some of this madness.

Two Thoughts

1. What has happened to the once-great beacon of the world, America?? Why haven't the Americans stood up to this ongoing rape of their own Constitution and all the admirable values it enshrines??
   
   2. Though I despair for my former country (yes, I got the h*** out -- "love it or leave it" so I left it), I am a little heartened by the commenters here. If everyone who wrote a post would register and vote, then there is a chance of undoing some of this madness.

freedom??

I have to agree with all of you. Our freedoms are being eroded away, one by one, where are the courts in these times of peril? America, with its terror-phobia, has allowed its self to be enslaved by its fears and those willing to do so in government(in the name of freedom, of course).

Patriotism

"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."
- Samuel Johnson

i think of this, sadly, when hearing about the patriot act, the department of homeland security, and when I see outrage because someone is not wearing their crappy american flag lapel pin.

it just wreaks of scoundrel.

one more reason

i wont be going to usa again.

land of the unjust

Monster

John Kay of Steppenwolf wrote a trilogy song called Monster/Suicide/America.

The second part "Suicide" This song should be the mantra for those who would fight the erosion of rights and FREEDOM.

The spirit was freedom and justice
And it's keepers seem generous and kind
It's leaders were supposed to serve the country
But now they won't pay it no mind
'Cause the people grew fat and got lazy
And now their vote is a meaningless joke
They babble about law and order
But it's all just an echo of what they've been told
Yeah, there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watchin'

Our cities have turned into jungles
And corruption is stranglin' the land
The police force is watching the people
And the people just can't understand
We don't know how to mind our own business
'Cause the whole worlds got to be just like us
Now we are fighting a war over there
No matter who's the winner
We can't pay the cost
'Cause there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watching

Monster

John Kay of Steppenwolf wrote a trilogy song called Monster/Suicide/America.

The second part "Suicide" This song should be the mantra for those who would fight the erosion of rights and FREEDOM.

The spirit was freedom and justice
And it's keepers seem generous and kind
It's leaders were supposed to serve the country
But now they won't pay it no mind
'Cause the people grew fat and got lazy
And now their vote is a meaningless joke
They babble about law and order
But it's all just an echo of what they've been told
Yeah, there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watchin'

Our cities have turned into jungles
And corruption is stranglin' the land
The police force is watching the people
And the people just can't understand
We don't know how to mind our own business
'Cause the whole worlds got to be just like us
Now we are fighting a war over there
No matter who's the winner
We can't pay the cost
'Cause there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watching

I have some comments

JeffHarris - I have been ashamed of this country for the better part of 9 years. Since I told my parents "I'm g**" and realize how we really are racist in more forms than skin color.

TheSnarkmeister - pardon me, but s**** off. I Am native born to this land, the only government I need is the one which controls the tides and the winds.

rjwill - You can also s**** off. I have dark brown hair and green eyes, most of the native people in my family are brown and brown. I loathe the blonde and blue for the simple fact that they are a false representation of beauty. Both those beauty marks are defective genes. Yet if a "defective gene" is what made me g**, you'd find a 'cure' for it in the form of expensive 'treatments' so I can be 'normal.'

You can all s**** off. I can live off the land with or without the technologies, most of this nation can't cope without air conditioning.

Talk about racism!

Your clearly a sick deviant and worse, a hate-filled racist masquerading as an ill-treated minority.
And no I would never ever suggest a treatment for you-- your disease is beyond any reasonable help.
The g** community has enough real issues to deal with-- and you, another albatross.

Seek some professional help asap before you harm others. This forum has really degenerated!