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US Expands Fingerprint and Mugshot Program for Visitors
prakslash writes "The US State Department has expanded its anti-terrorist fingerprinting program to include visitors from close US allies such as the UK, Australia, France, Germany and Japan. Everytime a visitor enters or leaves the US, they will have to get their mugshot and fingerprints taken - something that used to be mainly limited to your local police precinct. More news can be found here and here. In addition to the huge costs involved, one has to wonder if this will affect tourism to this country." Hmmm, a huge database of digital mugshots and digital fingerprints, which will be kept forever - hope we have enough RAM to search through it quickly and constantly.
Bah, don't worry, It's only the foreigners who are having civil liberties violated. But they're not citizens, so it doesn't matter, right?
I'm probably at the karma cap. Mod up a funny troll instead, it lightens the mood
But he's not even _your_ big brother.
Maybe they could offer the tourists a copy of the photo in a lovely decorated cardboard frame as a memento of their trip.
Is this a late submission? Great way to make enemies of allies.
The US State Department has expanded its anti-terrorist fingerprinting program to include visitors from close US allies such as the UK, Australia, France, Germany and Japan
I am slighted, shocked and appalled that Canada was not included in this list.
Goddam Americans.
Come to Canada! We'll welcome you with open arms if you're a terrorist, and even if you're not!
This is not a sig.
Tourist: Ah! America! I'm here at last! This is great!
...Exactly.
Customs official: Ah. Welcome to the United States, terrorist--I mean, guest. Yeah. Guest.
Tourist: Why, hello there! This is my first time visiting America, and I must say that--
Customs official: Please be quiet. I need to take your photograph then get your fingerprints. This is essential. It is a matter of national security. You must comply or you'll be on the next plane back to whatever country you came from.
Tourist: What? My photograph? My fingerprints? I'm not a terrorist! I'm just a tourist! I'm just here to take in the sights and see what it's like in yank-land!
Customs official: I'm sorry, you're going to have to comply if you want entry into the United States of America. We are not going to use this information we've gathered about you for any nefarious purpose, anyway.
Tourist: You're not? Then why are you collecting it?
Customs official: That's classified.
Tourist: It is? Well, classified be damned! What do you need this information for? I demand my rants! I'm not from some rogue, anti-American nation! I'll have you know I'm a French citizen!
Customs official:
Tourist: What? You have something against France?
Customs official: Calm down. Here. I have something for you to eat. They're freedom--I mean, French, fries. Yeah. French fries. Have one. They're really delicious.
Tourist: Why, thank you...hm, they taste kind of...
Customs official: Look, okay, why don't you just let me get your mugshot. I mean, photograph. Yeah. Because the word "mugshot" has negative connotations. And that's obviously not what I'm doing. I'm not doing anything negative.
Tourist: Um, okay...
Customs official: Nothing at all. Of the kind. This data I'm collecting probably--I mean, this data won't be used against you in any way, shape or form. It's just to protect civil liberties.
Tourist: Okay.
Customs official: It's for your privacy.
Tourist: It's for my privacy? You're collecting information about me for my privacy?
Customs official: Yes. These aren't the droids you're looking for.
Tourist: These aren't the droids I'm looking for?
Customs official: No, they aren't. Come here, let me take your photograph and fingerprint you, you dear Frenchman.
Tourist: I will comply. I have no mind of my own--my own. I will--have my photograph taken.
Customs official (thinks): The drugging worked like a charm, I'll be damned. I'm sure it'll work out perfectly next week when we put these fries into the national food supply and drug them all. Then we'll have control. Ahahahaha!
try the wonderful country of Molvania
every day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
...that we will FINALLY be able to find Carmen Sandiego?
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. -Frederick Douglass
Come to Australia... Very little pollution, the language is similar, the people are friendly and we don't fingerprint you on arrival.
Cost of living is cheap, there's free public health and a pension for everyone and...
Wait a minute, what am I saying? I almost let the secret out the bag. Don't come here, it's a horrible place.
Hal Spacejock: Science Fiction with Nuts
Come to Australia..
:-)
I would, but I can't understand the darn accents
Twenties Retirement
We need a 'scary' mod option for posts like above!
Man watching 6 MSCE's around a sun box, looks alot like the opening scene's of 2001:space odyssey...
But I'm not sure how taking their photograph or fingerprints on entry would have done anything to stop it. It's simple! If you take a photograph, and they don't show up, they're vampires! Voila, no more British terrorist vampires.
Bít, zabít, jen proto, ze su liska!
Don't worry, the rest of the world has already moderated GWB -6billion "Scary".
" Terrorism isn't about what country you come from. A terrorist is a person who acts out due to their insane beliefs. A terrorist could come from Australia, or the UK, or even the US."
Even the USA?!!!!! Surely not?!
Well, they wouldn't, of course. But the second time that guy tries to enter the country to hijack a plane -- we nab him!
I should buy some cement.
"must remember not to vacation on USA"
Don't worry mate... we'll remind ya
Spoken like a true radical..
Put this guy into the terrorist database, folks.
You won't need to be fingerprinted when you go there, there is a significant amount of culture within 50km, and the food in the area is excellent.
You did mean Disneyland Paris, right?
They kill an airplane load of people every two days.
Some sort of mechanism which prevents them from entering the airports without first getting out of their cars would seem the obvious solution.
A fence, perhaps?
You're all wrong!
We granted visas to some of the 9/11 hijackers months after 9/11. Now, how is that for service. You can't say that we treat our visitors like criminals. Apparently you're allowed in even if you've been part of the worst terrorist attack of all time. Of course, luckily the bastard was already dead so it was just an "honorary" status.