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High-Tech Gadgets Can Pose Problems At Mexican Border
TechnologyResource writes "Going across the border will be a more 'interesting' experience since Customs and Border Protection will now be checking laptops, digital cameras, cell phones and any other electronics on your person or in your vehicle. It's not a new authority, according to Angelica De Cima, Office of Public Affairs Liaison 'They've always had the right to inspect your person, vehicle, baggage, anything on you. Nothing has changed from before,' De Cima said."
CBP: "Pasa"
US Citiznen: [drives by]
CBP: "Pasa"
US Citiznen: [drives by]
CBP: "Pasa"
US Citiznen: [drives by]
CBP: "Alto! Que bueno Camera, este Cannon?"
US Citiznen: "Yes, officer. It's a new Cannon 14 Mega Pixel Camera, with 15 to 1500 lens. Still in the box. Never used it, I plan to take some pictures SCUBA Diving at Kennedy's Cove."
CBP: "Si, un momento. I'm sorry but we have to have an indepth search of what you took pictures of. Please pull over there."
US Citizen: "Uh? look, it's still in the box, it's never been opened?!"
CBP: "If you do not pull over there, I will arrest you as a For-ing Nation-nal Spy".
US Citizen: "What! I'm going back home!"
CBP: [pulls gun a puts it to the side of the US Citizen's Head] "Maybe you do not understand me. That camera is now confiscated, and I bet it is just filled with child pronography."
US Citizen: "Look, I'm sorry, all I've got is $20.00, would that help the CBP?"
CBP:[smiling and holding out his hand] "Thank you, and have a nice day in Mexico, Pasa"
US Citizen: [drives by]
CBP: "Pasa"
US Citizen: [drives by]
CBP: "Pasa"
US Citizen: [drives by]
I forgot where the inspection clause is in the US Constitution. Could you remind me which article it's in?
The whole thing is probably a front for Mexican drug gangs fencing "seized" digital cameras. "For two thousand pesos, senior, you go thees top of the line Dell Notebook. Buy quick, senior, someone ees coming to chop my head off."
The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
I couldn't agree more. This nanny-state "we are doing this to PROTECT you" bullshit has gone on long enough. Frankly I am kind of sick of it. "We need to put GPS on your phone, and in your car, so we can be right there to help you if you crash, or need other assistance". "What? No no, the GPS chip in your phone isn't tracking your every movement. That's just crazy!" "Cash for clunkers....trade in your non-GPS enabled vehicle, for a new fully GPS-enabled hyper-computerized vehicle". Never mind the fact that we are "getting rid of" your old vehicle (not trying to recover some of the investment on the second-hand parts market...just "getting rid of"). Can't have people repairing non-GPS enabled vehicles for too long... Just remember that GPS is a two-way (more like seven-way, but you get the point) street. In order for them to tell you how to get to where you are going, they have to know where you are!
Sometimes good things can come from being lost.
-Oz