3 ms·

There's lots of reasons it isn't so simple for people. And one reason why it is extremely simple: if you're not from the U.S. to begin with. Our universities

by 300bps 13y ago

There's lots of reasons it isn't so simple for people. And one reason why it is extremely simple: if you're not from the U.S. to begin with. Our universities and business culture lure the best of the best from all over the world to the United States. Our draconian travel rules, lack of privacy and "shoot first, ask questions later" laws discourage them from even visiting let alone live here. Look like a Muslim? Suspected jihadist. Detained. Carry more than a few thousands dollars? Drug dealer. Money seized. One of the 99.99% that don't fall into any suspect group? Still suspected. Violate your privacy and freedoms. If I were anything but a natural born citizen, this crap would make me leave in a minute.

einhverfr 13y ago
I am a natural born citizen and have been in Indonesia for 2 years. No complaints.
ixacto 13y ago
As a white natural born citizen not carrying more than $100 on a domestic flight from SEA to SFO, still suspected. The weird part of it was after opting out the TSA thug asked if I wanted to go somewhere private for my government-blessed groping. They must have had the cattle prods and waterboards ready. In all seriousness, if we want the TSA to remain in any way accountable we need to opt-out, and to do it in public with other fellow travelers watching, since there is no telling what happens when they pull you aside in a room for an "enhanced pat down". There is a perverse irony to the whole thing though, if a man decides to sit alone in a park, say to get some coding done outside in the sun this automatically means that you are a pedo and the soccer moms will not hesitate to call the police on you. On the other hand you have actual TSA agents groping kids all the time at the airport (http://articles.philly.com/2011-04-23/news/29466700_1_tsa-spokeswoman-ann-davis-child-pornography-federal-agents http://articles.philly.com/2011-04-23/news/29466700_1_tsa-sp...). They get to wear a uniform and stick their hands down people's pants every goddamn day. Is this what freedom looks like?

by 300bps 13y ago

einhverfr 13y ago

I am a natural born citizen and have been in Indonesia for 2 years. No complaints.

ixacto 13y ago

As a white natural born citizen not carrying more than $100 on a domestic flight from SEA to SFO, still suspected. The weird part of it was after opting out the TSA thug asked if I wanted to go somewhere private for my government-blessed groping. They must have had the cattle prods and waterboards ready. In all seriousness, if we want the TSA to remain in any way accountable we need to opt-out, and to do it in public with other fellow travelers watching, since there is no telling what happens when they pull you aside in a room for an "enhanced pat down". There is a perverse irony to the whole thing though, if a man decides to sit alone in a park, say to get some coding done outside in the sun this automatically means that you are a pedo and the soccer moms will not hesitate to call the police on you. On the other hand you have actual TSA agents groping kids all the time at the airport (http://articles.philly.com/2011-04-23/news/29466700_1_tsa-spokeswoman-ann-davis-child-pornography-federal-agents http://articles.philly.com/2011-04-23/news/29466700_1_tsa-sp...). They get to wear a uniform and stick their hands down people's pants every goddamn day. Is this what freedom looks like?