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Defeated

orenhazi.com

221–230 of 445 posts

Re: Defeated

#221

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…

Is simple the right answer (and moving abroad is NOT simple)? I did just that with the Bush years - first to London then to Singapore.

Obama convinced me to come back (I know) - but I don't have the same feeling now that he's betrayed us as well.

We have to stay and fight. We need more than one of a hundred of us being as brave as the poster. We need it to be clear that we are going to vote anyone out that keeps this apparatus running unchanged.

Leaving just makes it easy to dismiss us.

Re: Defeated

#222
What happens if someone steals your laptop from the table at the end of the conveyor? Does TSA have any liability since the laptop was taken from your possession by them?

Re: Defeated

#223
Can people stop complaining? Every other day the front page is covered with posts on people "giving up" and "this not being the American they love." Since all of these intrusive efforts have started how many attacks have happened?

Re: Defeated

#224
post #86

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…

This might sound really weird but I actually believe that for people who like freedom post-communist countries that were NOT part of Soviet Union can be quite good place to live right now. I had previously spent 7 months in the US and I had lived in UK for 2.5 years and now I live in the Czech Republic. I guess this is very subjective but I believe that for example this country currently offers way more freedom than…

Every place has their pros and cons. Eastern Europe feels quite free in the context of daily living, but graft and corruption seem to be the mo of the powers that be.

Re: Defeated

#225
post #184

"I won't be opting out again"? What? Give me a break. I fly weekly for work so I know the routine. 99% of the time the TSA agents are perfectly happy to do the pat down. I have had a few that have given me a hard time but then I've also had others come and apologize and emphasize that it is my right to opt-out. Keep opting out and next time someone gives you a hard time calmly ask for (1) a manager and (2) a comment…

I've also found this technique to be effective in getting a speedy opt-out: I get in line for the imaging machine; when I reach the front of the line, I firmly and loudly announce "OPT OUT"; they have me step aside; then I let 5 people pass me, get back in line, and repeat.

That is a great idea! I have not really ever had to wait long for an opt out screening but I am keeping this one in my back pocket for if the wait is ever egregiously long.

Re: Defeated

#226

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree with the general spirit of your post, however: Amsterdam Schipol has (a lot of) scanning machines as well. Germany has more freedom in certain areas and less freedom in others. (you can't take your empty bottles to the recycling bins on Sunday for example)

> you can't take your empty bottles to the recycling bins on Sunday for example I don't know Germany but it seems you're suggesting Germany curtails freedom in the name of economic efficiency, but not as much as the US for "national security" and what not.

the Sunday rule is for the noise

Re: Defeated

#227
I'm that person too I always make sure i have time to opt out and sometimes it gets annoying.

The last time, the TSA person seemed friendly and chatty enough and I remarked towards the end that, "you know why I'm doing this right? I'm doing this for you". He may have been humoring me only but I think not, he seemed to genuinely appreciate my point and almost be grateful.

It is very true that amongst the many things I dislike about those machines the actually technically unsafe exposures that the TSA employees are being exposed to is one thing I really dislike about them.

I feel like by maintaining the protest we increase the chance that they may one day turf the things. So I hope the author of this piece takes heart. Sure, sometimes you get an ungrateful piece of mould for a guard, and they win. But sometimes you get someone who appreciates the bigger picture, and that maybe this is helping them out. So stick with it. I will if you will.

Re: Defeated

#228

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?…

Simple not easy.

Re: Defeated

#229
The worst would be for non-US citizens. My cousin got back to the US after a vacation and she had two of her kids accompanying her. She was asked to go through the scanners and though she protested, she was asked to 'follow the rule'. And thus she complied and the entire bunch went through the scanners only to find some fat slob at the monitor leering at her 12 yr old daughter. She was crying over the phone saying she wanted to get out as soon as possible from that hopeless place.

Re: Defeated

#230
post #105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's extremely simple. You just pull your finger out and do it. I've hopped continent four times so far in my life, and have no intention of stopping. Sure, family, ties, etc., but it's not like you can't visit them, and languages you learn on the go. People are patient. Anyway. Better to go now, than to wait for them to take your passports away.

I'm on my fourth country, but only my third continent. But my feet sure are getting itchy of late. Moving country is real easy. It's something everyone should try for at least a year or two.

Heh. I'm in a wheelchair. I still haven't done a completely independent trip overseas, but I'm working on it. I guess that'll be an interesting blog when I do.

Real easy is something that only happens when your circumstances fall into some kind of normal bounds.

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