The US has gone to hell and will probably stay there for eternity

[TConnolly]

I think I would rather have my freedom and take my chances.

He who would sacrifice freedom for security deserves neither.

 

[Clay B.]

He who would sacrifice freedom for security deserves neither.

Hey, I am a pretty good shot so I figure my chances are good....lol

 

[ndzied1]

I think we need to put full blame on the TAXocrats (read democrats)

Might not be so bad if the SPENDocrats didn't run up such big deficits when they get to rule the sandbox.

I think there is enough blame to go around both sides of the playground

 

[ArikBY]

We inform here that it might happen to traveler from Israel.
Next time, I will send all the data with the machine.
I will buy new laptop at any office depot or other chain.
in 2 hours I am back in business.
If I have bad intentions.I can upload the data to the web and download it when and where I want.
It is very easy to hide data this days.
It just spend time and money of the travelers and the American tax payers.
Stupids.

 

[geniusintraining]

Might not be so bad if the SPENDocrats didn't run up such big deficits when they get to rule the sandbox.

I think there is enough blame to go around both sides of the playground

Hi Norm,

I think I am going to become an independent... they are the only one not to blame (they never get elected ) but yes there is enough to go around, I do think we are in trouble no matter what happens this time around....

breaking the golden rule of talking politics

 

[Steve Bailey]

I don't think Peter will have any luck finding the names of Representatives or Senators who "voted for the bill". The specific policies implemented by Homeland Security or any other agency are put into place by unelected bureaucrats. The people who manage those unelected bureaucrats are put into their jobs as a reward for faithful service to the current crop of incumbents in the Legislative and Executive branches. Once in place it's virtually impossible to get rid of them.

[Rant]
The first step in the direction of improving things is to vote out the current crop of incumbents whether Republican or Democrat. Step two would be to replace them with people who look more like the rest of America. We need more Engineers, Plumbers, Truck Drivers, Nurses, School Teachers, Farmers, Waitresses, Snow Plow Operators, and anybody else who works for a living, and fewer Lawyers running the government. We, as voters, need to wake up and lose the "my guy is OK because he brings home the bacon. Your guy is the problem." attitude. The longer they're in office, the further away they get from real people. I'm not necessarily in favor of term limits legislation, but the longer we keep sending 95% or more incumbents back year after year, the better term limits look to me.
[/Rant]

 

[surferb]

He was quoting Ben Franklin. I think I learned that from one of the Civ games .

Hey, I am a pretty good shot so I figure my chances are good....lol

 

[surferb]

Don't worry - they've uncovered "violent jihadist materials" as well as images of child pornography. Can you prove it's not in your computer without letting them search it?

 

[wirepuller134]

Without doing anything wrong why would I have to prove anything, seems pretty offensive to me.

 

[surferb]

Agreed

 

[bkottaras]

Don't worry - they've uncovered "violent jihadist materials" as well as images of child pornography. Can you prove it's not in your computer without letting them search it?

What do they do if they find "violent child material" and "Jihadist Pornography" on a notebook, do they give out complimentary tickets to "any" destination as a refund for all the **** they put you through???

This has gone a bit too far.
I make a living using my notebook, it is just a tool.
I already have a hell of a time trying to explain to them why I need so many communication cables (which is 3-4 total, depending on the destination and hardware).

 

[TimWilborne]

Now I'm the last one to defend the US policies, but is this actually a new policy? I don't think so. They just finally disclosed them.

I have had the honor of being detained by customs twice. In 1998 and 1999. During my first honor, they had me turn on my computer, log in, and then they took it away. When they were done with me, they brought my computer back to me. I have no idea what they did with it, but I've always figured that they looked through it

I think the media is just stirring the pot a lot more now days

 

[rpoet]

Speaking of something from Civics class:

4th Ammendment:
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.

 

[RussB]

[Rant]
The first step in the direction of improving things is to vote out the current crop of incumbents whether Republican or Democrat. Step two would be to replace them with people who look more like the rest of America. We need more Engineers, Plumbers, Truck Drivers, Nurses, School Teachers, Farmers, Waitresses, Snow Plow Operators, and anybody else who works for a living, and fewer Lawyers running the government. We, as voters, need to wake up and lose the "my guy is OK because he brings home the bacon. Your guy is the problem." attitude. The longer they're in office, the further away they get from real people. I'm not necessarily in favor of term limits legislation, but the longer we keep sending 95% or more incumbents back year after year, the better term limits look to me.
[/Rant]

A good way to achieve this is with term limits. If NO elected official could serve no more than 1 or 2 terms in a life time. We would have what our founding fathers envisioned, a governing body made up of "volunteers" taking a few years off from their "day" jobs to serve their country.

 

[LadderLogic]

4th Ammendment:
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.

Amen.

Now, do they also explain in the Civics class if the constitutional protections (including the mentioned above) are in force outside of the United States as well? I really like the way the US Constitution is written but to demand that it should be the Law in the whole world is stretching it. Really thin, at that.

Does the 4th Amendement prohibits US Customs from opening your belongings against your will? I doubt it.

P.S. Twice have I been searched by customs officials in peaceful and liberal Canada. They were courteous, polite and professional but you bet your toches they did not ask a judge for permission nor did they present any probable cause. You see, I cannot claim the enforcement of Canadian liberties while I am tehcnically not in Canada yet...