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DHS Watchdog OKs ‘Suspicionless’ Seizure of Electronic Devices Along Border

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21–30 of 139 posts

Re: DHS Watchdog OKs ‘Suspicionless’ Seizure of Electronic Devices Along Border

#21

So, remember a few months ago, when people like me were saying that the third parties are the only hope in America's democracy? Then a bunch of people said that Obama was worlds different from Romney, and that comparing Obama to Bush was lunacy. I have to wonder what happens when those Obama supporters with left-wing sentiments read an article like this.

Obama is the same as Bush, just with better marketing.

Re: DHS Watchdog OKs ‘Suspicionless’ Seizure of Electronic Devices Along Border

#23

So, remember a few months ago, when people like me were saying that the third parties are the only hope in America's democracy? Then a bunch of people said that Obama was worlds different from Romney, and that comparing Obama to Bush was lunacy. I have to wonder what happens when those Obama supporters with left-wing sentiments read an article like this.

Obama is the same as Bush, just with better marketing.

They both had great marketing. Both got elected with slogans. Bush: "you are for us, or against us". Obama: "Yes, we can". There was nothing behind this marketing, but these simple empty phrases got them elected. Reality TV has reduced elections into catchphrases.

The ones that did not have good marketing where those that lost to them in the election.

Re: DHS Watchdog OKs ‘Suspicionless’ Seizure of Electronic Devices Along Border

#24

So, remember a few months ago, when people like me were saying that the third parties are the only hope in America's democracy? Then a bunch of people said that Obama was worlds different from Romney, and that comparing Obama to Bush was lunacy. I have to wonder what happens when those Obama supporters with left-wing sentiments read an article like this.

>Obama was worlds different from Romney, and that comparing Obama to Bush was lunacy Amazingly there is a middle ground. Yes, Obama is taking after Bush in scary ways. It makes me sick and it's why I voted third party in the re-election. That having been said, it's terribly reductionist to say that "Romney and Obama are the same" and anyone who is a woman or gay will almost surely agree with me. >I have to wonder wha…

"anyone who is a woman or gay will almost surely agree with me."

Only because politicians pander to their perceived voting blocks. Is there any evidence, out side of statements made during the campaign, that Romney actually holds views towards gays and women that are substantially different than Obama's?

Re: DHS Watchdog OKs ‘Suspicionless’ Seizure of Electronic Devices Along Border

#25

Dear DHS, you are welcome to try and steal my stuff. I will be sure to laugh at you when you fail. Further, I will be sure to put it on youtube to share the mirth. Pretty sure this won't damage your credibility any...

Who needs credibility when you have unchecked power?

Ah, but they don't have unchecked power.

Only mostly unchecked. Bigger evils have falled (see Nazi Germany, Soviet Union, Assyrian empire, Chile, Argentina, Spain, etc).

Re: DHS Watchdog OKs ‘Suspicionless’ Seizure of Electronic Devices Along Border

#26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Obama is the same as Bush, just with better marketing.

They both had great marketing. Both got elected with slogans. Bush: "you are for us, or against us". Obama: "Yes, we can". There was nothing behind this marketing, but these simple empty phrases got them elected. Reality TV has reduced elections into catchphrases. The ones that did not have good marketing where those that lost to them in the election.

Study the Reagan campaign, before reality TV. And he wasn't really the first.

Re: DHS Watchdog OKs ‘Suspicionless’ Seizure of Electronic Devices Along Border

#27

So, remember a few months ago, when people like me were saying that the third parties are the only hope in America's democracy? Then a bunch of people said that Obama was worlds different from Romney, and that comparing Obama to Bush was lunacy. I have to wonder what happens when those Obama supporters with left-wing sentiments read an article like this.

One thing can be worlds different from another, even while you hate both. Hating two things does not make them the same or even similar.

Re: DHS Watchdog OKs ‘Suspicionless’ Seizure of Electronic Devices Along Border

#28
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Obama was worlds different from Romney, and that comparing Obama to Bush was lunacy Amazingly there is a middle ground. Yes, Obama is taking after Bush in scary ways. It makes me sick and it's why I voted third party in the re-election. That having been said, it's terribly reductionist to say that "Romney and Obama are the same" and anyone who is a woman or gay will almost surely agree with me. >I have to wonder wha…

"anyone who is a woman or gay will almost surely agree with me." Only because politicians pander to their perceived voting blocks. Is there any evidence, out side of statements made during the campaign, that Romney actually holds views towards gays and women that are substantially different than Obama's?

So at the time of voting, ignoring for a moment third party candidates... I can vote for someone who claims that they will make my life better (but might not), or someone who campaigned on and is a member of a party who's platform is decidedly against making my life better (but... he might be on my side anyway secretly?). Isn't it obvious who I'd vote for? (keeping in mind that I didn't actually vote for either of the two)

But yes, Romney signed the NOM pledge, funded NOM heavily, said that same-sex hospital visitation rights was a "privilege" and needed no guarantee or legal backing, and was against ENDA; additionally, Paul Ryan voted against the DADT repeal and against the Matthew Shepard act and said something along the lines of "LGBT issues don't matter".

edit, for what it's worth, I think you're right in many ways and I'm sorry to see you downvoted. Romney's record was vastly different before he became a GOP puppet, particularly in MA and him having expressed interest years ago in progressing gay rights. Unfortunately, I also liked McCain before he (was) turned in a GOP prick as well.

Re: DHS Watchdog OKs ‘Suspicionless’ Seizure of Electronic Devices Along Border

#29
I was just wondering: In the case that the confiscated electronic devices are encrypted, are you obliged to decrypt them or do you have the right to politely refuse ?

If not would claiming plausible deniability (I.e I don't know the password) be a viable alternative?

Re: DHS Watchdog OKs ‘Suspicionless’ Seizure of Electronic Devices Along Border

#30
In the anecdote in the article, the guy who had his laptop searched was asked for a password. As far as I know, there is no legal basis for compelling a password at the border. He could've just said no. The price would probably be losing the laptop.

I've very curious about the legality of password compulsion in the US. With so much moving to cloud storage, the feds are going to lose their picking rights if that don't have that one.

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