Note to square dance callers (and others traveling on business)

[cjsmith]

If you're crossing a US border, have a friend inside who has a laptop you can use. There's no telling when you'll get yours back, nor your USB key, iPod, or camera either, if they decide they just don't particularly like the look of you.

I don't know how often it's happening, but it's sobering to know that it could.

Hat tip to dduane for the link.

Comments

My first thoughts were whinging

[airporter.livejournal.com]

But we do have to think about what's appropriate for traveler and national security and your DHS has responsibility for implementation of those policies.

While the potential for seizure for examination seems draconian, they've always had this power, and I believe that Canada's Border Service Agents have the same discretionary power without any suspicion. I can remember being told my car could be searched and/or seized in either direction at land crossings, with little recourse but to return home and wait.

So, it's not new, but since 2001 the potential for action on these kinds of policies have increased dramatically, at least when entering the USA. The potential for reducing business and recreational travel further than the administration has already managed lies lurking.

I'm tempted to join the EFF (a Canadian branh, maybe?) to lend what little support is possible for me.

In an isolationist era, these can only be good things for the government. It's simply too bad that isolationism, once just barely workable in our world, is no longer supportable as government policy. Still, it seems the DHS believes it is.

Until the universe is righted and we all live in peace and harmony, I guess I no longer will carry, laptop, cells, iPod, portable drives, usb sticks, and the like - and maybe I shouldn't carry my camera anymore either; after all, a 4 GB SD card can hold a lot of information.

Like I want anything on it other than pictures of scenery and my friends. Sheesh. (I'll carry the minimum I need to ensure enjoyable travels and assess the risk to my personal assets on an ongoing basis. Remember, backups are your friend!) I suppose I'm glad that this is now a more public issue - that might make for change in the long term.

I desire to rant further, but my brain now wants statistics and copies of regulations to back me up, and there's just not enough time today.

Re: My first thoughts were whinging

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

While the potential for seizure for examination seems draconian, they've always had this power, and I believe that Canada's Border Service Agents have the same discretionary power without any suspicion.

I hadn't known they could do it without any suspicion. That was news to me. And I've now been hassled by the US TSA enough that I no longer trust anybody's good intentions. Ten years ago, I'd have thought "Oh, they won't do that to me." I don't believe that any more.

I suppose I'm glad that this is now a more public issue - that might make for change in the long term.

May it be soon.

Re: My first thoughts were whinging

[roseembolism.livejournal.com]

From what I understand, they customs agents switched from stuff they consider porn, to computers. I guess the latter are more fun to play around with.

Re: My first thoughts were whinging

[airporter.livejournal.com]

Well, there's more porn on computers!

Re: My first thoughts were whinging

[airporter.livejournal.com]

May it be soon

And in the meantime there are plenty of articles to advise and assist: (http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-9892897-38.html?tag=nefd.lede#fascism)