Slashdot Mirror
Examining the Search and Seizure of Electronics at Airports
Angus McKraken brings us a Washington Post story about how travelers are seeking more well-defined policies and rules about the search and seizure of electronic devices by U.S. Customs officials. The EFF has already taken legal action over similar concerns. We recently discussed the related issue of requiring people to disclose their passwords in order to search their private data. From the Post:
"Maria Udy, a marketing executive with a global travel management firm in Bethesda, said her company laptop was seized by a federal agent as she was flying from Dulles International Airport to London in December 2006. Udy, a British citizen, said the agent told her he had 'a security concern' with her. 'I was basically given the option of handing over my laptop or not getting on that flight,' she said. 'I was assured that my laptop would be given back to me in 10 or 15 days,' said Udy, who continues to fly into and out of the United States. She said the federal agent copied her log-on and password, and asked her to show him a recent document and how she gains access to Microsoft Word. She was asked to pull up her e-mail but could not because of lack of Internet access. With ACTE's help, she pressed for relief. More than a year later, Udy has received neither her laptop nor an explanation."
Really? Where did I say Americans were worthless? Go back and check, I didn't. People as individuals are not to be confused with the country and how its being run. I simply asked what you had to be proud of lately given all that has gone on. You still can't answer it though can you? There are vague allusions, but you danced around the issue. In fact you gave a very political answer.
I asked honestly because I was very curious. I don't live there, I have limited first hand exposure to the US but see it through the eyes of friends, who aren't exactly proud, and the media. I gave you my view of what I've seen, and instead of answering the question you've gone on the offensive. Twice.
I have no choice but to read a lot of your press. Besides freedom, the main export of the US is itself. You can always dig up those great human interest stories, but as a society I haven't really seen anything worth writing home about in a long time. I also see America through two kinds of friends. Those who have lived their all their lives and those who have gone there to study. Racism seems to be rampant, even if your institutions of "higher learning". That has nothing to do with your current administration. Bush may have done a lot to mess up the country, but society has done a pretty good job on their own. Cops being given a pass on inappropriate behaviour has nothing to do with the current administration. People suing each other over spilled milk happened long before he found his way in to the white house. As a society, America has been viewed as arrogant for a long time. If you weren't aware of that perhaps you need to broaden your horizons.
There is a theory floated about why game developers are so obsessed with the World War 2 genre. Its because that was the last time America had a clear and unambiguous military victory. That was 60 years ago, yet how many times have they picked up arms since then?
I was simply hoping to find out if there was some great societal aspect there which I missed, but apparently there isn't as your two answers have really told me all I need to know.