Subject:
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Mildly unrelated: LFB runs afoul of Homeland Security
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Tue, 13 Jan 2004 09:22:44 GMT
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Viewed:
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350 times
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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Ross Crawford wrote:
> In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> > The Transportation Security Adminstration may be misnamed... there's an "in"
> > missing, as in "INsecurity"
> >
> > http://tzaddik.us/lilpoh/archives/000789.html
> > http://reason.com/0308/fe.bd.suspected.shtml
> > http://www.nationalreview.com/dunphy/dunphy200401070913.asp
> > http://www.reason.com/hitandrun/003874.shtml#003874
> >
> > and there's a great article in the Feb issue of Reason as well.
>
> Well, it looks like I might have to get fingerprinted when I arrive for BF PDX,
> and I don't like that one bit! Not sure yet - they're still debating whether
> countries that have visa exemptions (incl Aus for stays less than 90 days) will
> also be exempt from such "security measures". And Australia has also decided to
> go the same way as the US and have a digital photo on a chip in passports from
> October. I don't see how thats any more secure than a paper photo, but oh well.
I got word today that Homeland Security is temporarily (they say)
impounding my belongings coming from South Africa--almost all books
and papers, with a few other personal effects (clothing) for a CET
or "Contraband Examination Team" search. This is going to hold up
my belongings for perhaps another month, which has me very angry
because now I will have to pay almost $1000 in addition to the shipping
fees I am already paying. It turns out that's what Homeland Security
does--they actually charge *you* for the privilege of having them
rummage through your carefully packed things and potentially damage
or confiscate your books and papers. On, and if that's not enough,
I will have to return from the UK to accept the shipment in February.
That's another $500 or more. So where's all the tax money going, if
consignees are being made to pay anyways?
There is nothing that I can imagine would possibly have looked like
contraband in my papers. I am at a loss as to what they're looking
for, or why I have been singled out for this honor. I was working
under a State Dept grant, but I was not permitted to send these by
consular mail, so still I wait.
So the things I sent in October are still on their way, and may not
arrive here in good shape or at all once Homeland Security is through
with them. I feel safer already! Thanks, Mr. Ridge! Oh well, at
least I haven't been put on a "no-fly" list (yet) as a dangerous
academic, as has happened to two people I know already.
Sorry, I'm just upset and seething, and need to vent.
best
LFB
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