EPTPoint is, minimize your chances of having to go through extra screening. Don't say stupid shit, don't post stupid shit and don't bring stupid shit. And most of all, don't act like a stupid shit.
British Couple Kicked out of the US for joking - Page 24
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ticklishmusic
United States15977 Posts
Point is, minimize your chances of having to go through extra screening. Don't say stupid shit, don't post stupid shit and don't bring stupid shit. And most of all, don't act like a stupid shit. | ||
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FFGenerations
7088 Posts
On February 01 2012 06:35 RogerX wrote: Oh man, what a blog. Thanks for linking; going to read this right now for the fun of it. "It is also hard to imagine that you are unaware of the abundance of cutlery lying around in your room when there are 10-15 pieces of them so close together that their container can be shaken to make metal scramble on metal, in pizza cartons, which are hard to be oblivious of in this number unless you have spread them around a gigantic room." awesome blog | ||
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Terrafros
Netherlands194 Posts
One example that I was informed of when my parents returned from their holiday, was the fact that half of their clothing had been confiscated at the airport. This was clothing bought in our very own country, that they had taken WITH them TO their holiday. It wasn't even new clothing, either. The Airport Security took everything that looked expensive, and assumed it was imported, and as such, my parents lost all of it. It gets worse. My mother, tired from an incredibly long journey(train, taxi, airport, flight, and landing), was put in a room with two bulky men. They basically tried to talk her into confessing she was importing illegal clothing. She kept denying it but they kept talking her down and insulting her, putting as much pressure as possible on getting her to confess, which resulted her bursting out in tears, at which point my father had started banging on the door, demanding them to let him near my mother, at which point an officer threw him on the ground, and four of them jumped on top, all the while kicking. He came back home with bruises. All the while, my parents were completely helpful. They showed their identification when they were asked for it, and would've opened their suitcases as well if they had been asked. Instead, security caused this entire mess. When they returned and told me of what happened, I strongly recommended they sought out a lawyer to reclaim their lost possessions and potentially sue the security agency. But they didn't want to. It'd turn into a fiscal nightmare. If you win, all costs are forgiven on your side. But if you lost, you'd end up paying for the lawsuit as well. And what evidence did my parents have? Recordings? That wasn't under their control. The only two witnesses that were not part of the security present that night, were they themselves, and that'd probably not cut it. They just wanted to move on and forget about what happened as soon as possible. The entire ordeal has left a poor impression of airport security on me. I believe that the men and women working at the airport security perform some incredible work at times, and often enough they've been able to catch people with ill intent crossing the border. But I cannot for a single moment think back of the situation that was described to me by my parents and think well of what happened. There was cooperation from the beginning, so why force the situation? There was ID on both, why not check the IDs for legitimacy instead of threatening them? And why, oh why, do you take a tired as hell woman, who repeats over and over that she's not done something, and completely humiliate her to force an explanation out? I wished to share this story to make sure people understand. It's not always the white knights in shining armour padding you down. Unfortunately, there are goons out there who have no idea on how to handle security other than using violence and threats. I just hope you have better luck when they come and decide you seem suspicious. OT: Overreaction, for sure. Questioning at the most would've been fine, provided they would've properly conducted it. Expelling them from the country for a tweet? Of which 9/10 people here could've told you they were being moronic in public? Questioning is one thing, but this whole thing is another. It saddens me that the entire fear for terrorism has ended up in the very people being placed under suspicion for no good reason. | ||
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WolfintheSheep
Canada14127 Posts
Airport security has been trained to look for bottles of liquid and cutlery, not to look for dangerous suspects. | ||
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th2pun1sh3r
United States107 Posts
On January 31 2012 19:15 bOneSeven wrote: Well, I'm not a really good title writer, so hope people won't see as "sensationalist" or whatever... The basic idea is that two british tourists were barred from entering America after joking on Twitter that they were going to 'destroy America' and 'dig up Marilyn Monroe'. + Show Spoiler + After making their way through passport control at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) last Monday afternoon the pair were detained by armed guards. Despite telling officials the term 'destroy' was British slang for 'party', they were held on suspicion of planning to 'commit crimes' and had their passports confiscated. + Show Spoiler + 'It got even more ridiculous because the officials searched our suitcases and said they were looking for spades and shovels. They did a full body search on me too. 'We just wanted to have a good time on holiday. That was all Leigh meant in his tweet. He would not hurt anyone.' Leigh posted the tweet on January 16 before the pair flew to LA last Monday. Leigh said: 'It's just so ridiculous it's almost funny but at the time it was really scary. The Homeland Security agents were treating me like some kind of terrorist. I saw this on twitter, was retweeted by Joe Rogan a few hours ago. The original source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093796/British-tourists-arrested-America-terror-charges-Twitter-jokes.html Now.. seriously guys, paranoia much ? For example in comic slang you use words like "bomb" "killed" "destroyed" .... are they gonna put them under terrorist suspicion for using such words ? It seems to me that this false sense of security won't help anyone, and since it escalated, if we won't move off the track....more abuse will come I for one believe that is better to, well firstly change foreign policy on US, because most of it are causes to hate towards America ( as detailed by the CIA , and 3 more US Generals as well ), then after a while when water cools, loose all the ridiculuos laws of paranoia and let the people live free and without fear of not saying the "wrong" words or whatever. What would happen ? Without this hate for America, terrorist acts would only be commited by seriously sick people ( clinicly proven ), and most of them are spotted before they might do any damage... I believe Benjamin Franklin had it right .... "he who chooses security over liberty deserves neither" Some people suggested I should add some links to this starting post so : http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/30/travelers-say-they-were-denied-entry-to-u-s-for-twitter-jokes/?smid=tw-thelede&seid=auto I think they were 100% justified. People shouldn't make jokes about destroying America if they are going to be going on Airplanes... the stigma of 9/11 is still very real to a lot of people and it isn't a light topic. I mean how dumb do you have to be to post that you are going to "destroy america" on twitter. Oh wait. they are British.. so its okay right | ||
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Eps
Canada240 Posts
On February 01 2012 07:47 ticklishmusic wrote: Once I had to get a patdown because I had a gum wrapper stuck in my pocket lining... that sets off the metal detector apparently. Point is, minimize your chances of having to go through extra screening. Don't say stupid shit, don't post stupid shit and don't bring stupid shit. And most of all, don't act like a stupid shit. This oddly reminds me of this. Chris Rock - Beat by the Police Not to be taken seriously of course. | ||
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_-NoMaN-_
Canada250 Posts
On January 31 2012 19:53 ReboundEU wrote: It's exactly on topic. U turned into a paranoid country, while failing badly at gestionating your own internal problems. U ban ppl for jokes without even investigating. Your "Freedom of Speach" is limited to what some want to hear?  ) This news is just sad and ironic at the same time really.If i were u, i wouldn't google the word "bomb". Someone might be knocking on your door after a few hours. please, if you insist on inventing your own words for things, kindly provide the rest of us with the definitions | ||
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Zealotdriver
United States1557 Posts
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dAPhREAk
Nauru12397 Posts
On February 01 2012 08:03 WolfintheSheep wrote: I remember every year the TSA releases a huge list of "dangerous items" they've confiscated. Most of the objects on that list are amusing, but what's even more laughable is that they never list any people that have been charged with crimes...and anyone who's gone through security will tell you that items can be taken away, and they'll still let you on the plane. I'd love to see the terrorist that gives up because you took his vegetable peeler. Airport security has been trained to look for bottles of liquid and cutlery, not to look for dangerous suspects. there are privacy issues with releasing names of people who have committed crimes, which is likely why they dont release names. as for confiscating but allowing them on planes, it all has to do with what they confiscate. if they confiscate a bomb, you arent going ton the plane, you are going to jail. if they confiscate a key-chain knife, they probably arent going to care too much, but wont allow the knife to go through. i have been caught with a key-chain knife before going into a courthouse. they told me to put it in my car and come back. | ||
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graan
Germany589 Posts
for next mlg you guys should twitter the hell out about those korean bombers coming, so foreigners can keep the prize money. | ||
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Befree
695 Posts
Bureaucracies carrying out absurd rules is nothing new or uncommon in today's world. It is just the result of a system. We should, of course, try to improve this system and remove foolish practices, but the idea of extrapolating some sort of large negative pattern against an entire nation based on the actions of a few people, and the rules of a single agency is embarrassing to read. And then the audacity to think that the problems of governments are so simple, that your ignorant mind was able to sum them up and solve them in a single paragraph... It's just ridiculous. We should look to educate ourselves more on these issues, and not be so quick to jump towards judgments and unthought-out solutions. Why don't we try to make these threads more of a place to learn? This is a very international community and I think we all have a lot we could learn from each other on the world. | ||
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Devolved
United States2753 Posts
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ilikeredheads
Canada1995 Posts
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Chaosu
Poland404 Posts
On February 01 2012 06:44 Sprungjeezy wrote:/facepalm If people actually want to visit the US, they will visit the US, except if they hear this story they won't? More like, if they hear this story they will be even more cautious when traveling because the US gives no fucks and will use any excuse to send you out or to arrest you. Getting the chance to visit a place you've never been isn't like buying food. If you heard some company does something terrible you can choose to not use their products, but if you want to visit a country, there's literally no where you can go to get the same experience lmao. But on topic, I'm surprised people are surprised. I guess living in the US I know and understand how serious airports take security and I'm fine with it. God forbid I have to go a whole day without saying the word "bomb." And seriously "I'm going to destroy America and dig up Marilyn Monroe" - who the fuck says that? I can't really comprehend how "destroy" being the equivalent to "party" would even make sense, "I'm going to party America" ? "I'm going to get destroyed in America" would be alright, but nope it was "I'm going to destroy America" ... /facepalm /facepalm on you perhaps? choise of not buying stuff from a brand and not visiting a place on earth is down to the same thing: desire to do something There are a few things that interest me in USA, I would like to see some bands that doesn't travel outside (much), see and NHL and NBA game, perhaps some sightseeing too (but I can't think of anything interesting right now). And believe me or not, my desire to do this stuff is not bigger than letting out my dignity to do it. Right now I can travel inside European Union without giving up any of my freedom or believs, no dignity, self-respect. And if I'm reading that I have to be cautious because someone is paranoid (it's of course personal opinion) I can easily disagree on that if my desire to travel isn't big enough. USA itself is no wonder of the world and some people are actually happy that they don't have to live there. To me this (USA) attitude is obsessive and I think it's crazy to think that way. To you my attitude may seem too loose and careless and if your desire to travel to EU is smaller than your fear of spending time in too high danger of getting killed in terrorist attack you should't decide on traveling too. And I'm not trying to say I won't travel to USA ever because of what happend. But if I were this UK citizen, I would turn back and never try to return thinking "giving them a credit for being reasonable was a mistake"... | ||
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WhuazGoodJaggah
Lesotho777 Posts
On February 01 2012 02:08 Chargelot wrote: Teach you fucking Brits to have a sense of humor! Wait, shit, that's something you're supposed to have. Lesotho? The third world is allowed to talk shit now? I'll agree, the American airport security protocols are a bit much, but that doesn't mean we suck. That just means some guy from a third world country doesn't get to take out his Swiss army knife and cut the pilot's throat. Hahahaha, no it doesn't JUST mean I can't get out my swiss army knife (not beeing from a third world country), thats what it means in almost all other countries (not china as I can get on the plane there, awesome country). Looks like it was a good decision by the lovely chinese woman who let me board the plane anyway as everyone made a happy journey to their destination without unnecessary troubles. I use my swiss army knife as a tool not as a weapon. | ||
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NIJ
1012 Posts
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TelecoM
United States10673 Posts
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Son of Gnome
United States777 Posts
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oBlade
United States5585 Posts
On February 01 2012 03:54 AeroGear wrote: Thing is, I dont do/say/talk about these things unless to friends or relatives. Am really not a facebook/twitter user except to keep in touch with friends or follow specific companies or finance related news. Not everyone will interpret it as harmless, all it takes is 1 person to ruin your day. Some agents are nice and friendly, others are very strict. Given what has happened in the past years, knowing the escalated security protocols at airports, train stations and all, it really shows lack of judgement to say these things "out loud". The last thing I want to do when I'm at an airport is draw attention or be uncooperative, I know the possible consequences. Your example is a bit extreme btw, but even being held for a few hours at an airport could be a major hindrance to a vacation or business trip. While I can ultimatly agree that the response from authorities was perhaps excessive, it is known that they are very cautious since the events that happened in many parts of the world. It's not my example, it's from all the articles. He really was in a cell with cocaine smugglers. And he didn't say or do anything at the airport. My guess is homeland security went something like this: There's a guy who posted something on Twitter about destroying America and he has a plane ticket. Let's call up the limeys and see what they know about him. "Hello Limeys, this is homeland security. What do you know about Leigh Van Bryan?" "Who is this?" "Homeland security." "Do you have any legal reason for wanting to know about his background?" "He posted about destroying America on Twitter." That's probably when the call ended. They really didn't have anything to go on except a tweet, and rational people would have noticed they were grasping at straws and it was a misunderstanding. But these couple of DHS guys just had to be right. On February 01 2012 03:52 forgottendreams wrote: This is an interesting proposal, next time I'm a terrorist trying to conceal my identity and let something slip about my true intentions I'll say it was in the context of Family Guy. Your entire post is wrong. Digging up Marilyn Monroe wouldn't be terrorism. The Family guy bit isn't ad hoc, all the DHS people had to do was Google it. You can basically tell they didn't know shit about him besides what he posted on Twitter, or have any reason to be suspicious at all. They searched for spades he would use for the digging? They told him "you really fucked up with that tweet, boy"? They called him "boy"? I am not the least bit proud of this circus. They would have you believe tourists are terrorists. The problem here is not people doing stupid things. The problem is having apeshit organizations. Monitoring twitter, okay, that's harmless enough. Grabbing the guy for an interview to see what's up with his weird twitter message, okay. No harm there. Acting like thugs, not accepting the obvious evidence, and not letting these people into the country is reprehensible. | ||
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phodacbiet
United States1740 Posts
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