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Defeated

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Re: Defeated

#151

Post by flexie »

rayiner wrote: post #131

I just don't get the deal with the millimeter wave scanners. Did everyone raise a fuss like this when airports had you walk through metal detectors? How is a millimeter wave scanner different than a high-tech metal detector? Aren't we always talking about how the law needs to "catch up to technology?" Don't get me wrong, I think the TSA is a huge waste of money and I hate being ordered around by flunkies who can't ge…

They have to walk through metal detectors to buy books? I thought it was only for dangerous places like schools and offices.

I can't think of anywhere in Europe we have those except for American embassies, a few courthouses, some government buildings and airports.

Anyone knows when this started in the US and when it got so widespread?

Re: Defeated

#152

Post by imsofuture »

rayiner wrote: post #131

I just don't get the deal with the millimeter wave scanners. Did everyone raise a fuss like this when airports had you walk through metal detectors? How is a millimeter wave scanner different than a high-tech metal detector? Aren't we always talking about how the law needs to "catch up to technology?" Don't get me wrong, I think the TSA is a huge waste of money and I hate being ordered around by flunkies who can't ge…

That's not a metal detector, it's a system designed to scan for tagged items.

My problem with the scanners is that they are invasive AND ineffective. They aren't protecting me, but they do train me to complacently subject myself as an innocent, not-charged-with-a-crime citizen to pre-emptive searches. That's just not alright by me.

Re: Defeated

#153

Post by Derbasti »

peterwwillis wrote: post #109
highace wrote: post #4

Can someone please explain what's wrong with going through the machine? If it means not having my balls squeezed, it sounds pretty good to me.

Body scanners are like a big "Fuck You, Citizen" from your government. First, we know they don't work, because they only work up to the epidermis, and sometimes not even that well, as lots of dangerous things have gotten through them. If you wanted to get something on a plane, put it up your butt or somehow else in your body and it will work 100% of the time. Just don't carry a gun strapped to your body. (Though that…

50% false positives is no problem at all as long as the false negatives are low.

Re: Defeated

#154

Post by csomar »

These articles made me think that travelling (overall) and security checks are unpleasant.

The first time I travelled was to Doha through Istanbul. I was amazed at how comfortable the security checks are, and how friendly the security stuff were there.

It really frightens me to hear the experience in the US borders is quite different.

Re: Defeated

#155

Post by einhverfr »

rdl wrote: post #148

I opt out mostly to make it as difficult for the screener as possible, not because I think it's particularly less of a violation of my privacy to get my nuts felt up vs. irradiated with low power mm wave. (if there were a "you can have a copy of your own scan" machine, I'd probably voluntarily go through mm wave for fun). If people opt out, it 1) ties up a TSA agent 2) makes a TSA agent do something moderately unplea…

> I've always had the TSA people screening me be unfailingly polite, if a bit incompetent (not running me through the magnetometer if they're doing a hand screening actually lowers overall security vs. weapons; it wouldn't be terribly difficult to get a disassembled handgun through the hand screening.)

I have been arguing this for a long time. The removal of magnetometers is a very bad thing security-wise. I am not opposed to the use of bodyscanners where there is reasonable suspicion, but the idea that we virtually strip search everyone and omit the magentometers is just asking for trouble.

Re: Defeated

#156

Post by jballanc »

jkhaxxe wrote: post #128
jballanc wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ok, so maybe "extremely" was a bit much. In my defense I think leaving is much simpler at this point than hoping that the current course of politics and public sentiment in the US will change. > 1) Barriers to work and emigration While real, they can be overcome. Also, I'd wager there will be something of a domino effect -- once other countries begin to catch on that well educated, highly trained Americans are lookin…

"well educated, highly trained American's" ironic...

well, I didn't say trained in what ;-)

fixed...thanks

Re: Defeated

#157

Post by GFischer »

mosburger wrote: post #89
jballanc wrote: post #32

There is an extremely simple solution: leave. I've not lived in the US for almost two years now. I've only had to travel back twice in that time. Meanwhile, in the same time I've visited France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany multiple times. None of those travel experiences were nearly as unpleasant or stressful as my two trips to the US. Furthermore, the technology communities that are growing up in these pla…

"Extremely simple?" There's lots of reasons it isn't so simple for people. 1) Barriers to work and emigration 2) Language barriers - I know that learning a new language isn't impossible (I know a little Spanish but I'd hardly call myself fluent), but I speak only English fluently, which limits me to a handful of nations, many of which are nearly as bad as the United States (hey UK, how are those surveillance cameras?…

You're welcome here in Uruguay... but I think it's a case of "the grass is greener on the other side of the fence".

And while we do have liberal emigration policies, the bureaucracy involved cannot be underestimated.

There are another things going on that you will find violations of your privacy - Uruguay has a nationwide ID program with fingerprinting (and probably DNA in the near future).

We don't have cameras or backscatter machines yet, but the current wave of insecurity will probably make people clamor for them soon - weird statistic: you're ten times more likely to be murdered in the U.S., but almost twenty times more likely to be robbed in Uruguay (I had my laptop stolen last month, for example).

The current government isn't likely to cave in easily to the U.S. government, but what about the next one?

Re: Defeated

#158

Post by FedRegister »

tinkerdol wrote: post #118
mosburger wrote: post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Extremely simple?" There's lots of reasons it isn't so simple for people. 1) Barriers to work and emigration 2) Language barriers - I know that learning a new language isn't impossible (I know a little Spanish but I'd hardly call myself fluent), but I speak only English fluently, which limits me to a handful of nations, many of which are nearly as bad as the United States (hey UK, how are those surveillance cameras?…

May I suggest Germany? At least in regards to your first point, they have recently relaxed barriers. Right now all you need is a four-year degree in order for you to come and look for work for up to 6 months. The chances of anyone reading this finding work are extremely high because there's a shortage of skilled professionals. http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/ Or, start out studying for a Master's degree first to…

I speak enough German to not completely embarrass myself when out in public, and I would like to get my Masters in Computer Science (adding on to my BSc in Computer Science). What programs would you recommend?

Re: Defeated

#159

Post by einhverfr »

300bps wrote: post #111
mosburger wrote: post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Extremely simple?" There's lots of reasons it isn't so simple for people. 1) Barriers to work and emigration 2) Language barriers - I know that learning a new language isn't impossible (I know a little Spanish but I'd hardly call myself fluent), but I speak only English fluently, which limits me to a handful of nations, many of which are nearly as bad as the United States (hey UK, how are those surveillance cameras?…

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? Suspe…

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

Re: Defeated

#160

Post by Ziomislaw »

flexie wrote: post #151
rayiner wrote: post #131

I just don't get the deal with the millimeter wave scanners. Did everyone raise a fuss like this when airports had you walk through metal detectors? How is a millimeter wave scanner different than a high-tech metal detector? Aren't we always talking about how the law needs to "catch up to technology?" Don't get me wrong, I think the TSA is a huge waste of money and I hate being ordered around by flunkies who can't ge…

They have to walk through metal detectors to buy books? I thought it was only for dangerous places like schools and offices. I can't think of anywhere in Europe we have those except for American embassies, a few courthouses, some government buildings and airports. Anyone knows when this started in the US and when it got so widespread?

This might have something to do with USA weapons law.
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