WOW, AMERICA, WOW.
This is copied directly from bobtorres.net;
"According to the Washington Post, US Federal Agents may now detain your laptop at the border for an indefinite period of time, and - get this - without any reasonable cause whatsoever:
The policies state that officers may “detain” laptops “for a reasonable period of time” to “review and analyze information.” This may take place “absent individualized suspicion.”
The policies cover “any device capable of storing information in digital or analog form,” including hard drives, flash drives, cellphones, iPods, pagers, beepers, and video and audio tapes. They also cover “all papers and other written documentation,” including books, pamphlets and “written materials commonly referred to as ‘pocket trash’ or ‘pocket litter.’”
Federal agents may take a traveler’s laptop computer or other electronic device to an off-site location for an unspecified period of time without any suspicion of wrongdoing, as part of border search policies the Department of Homeland Security recently disclosed.
Perhaps I just read the US Constitution too literally, but this strikes me as a clear violation of the 4th Amendment. See if you agree:
Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
I'm sorry, but this is a tad bit ridiculous. So with ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE the border patrol could seize my laptop for an indefinite period of time WHILE THUS LITERALLY VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I feel that the Constitution is one of the most important parts of our government and when the government so BOLDLY violates something which is supposed to be taken as law REALLY ANGERS ME. Look, I know there has been changes in it because OBVIOUSLY no one has slaves, etc...but the fourth amendment isn't something that should be brushed aside in this day and age. What is this country turning into? The threat and fear of terrorism really is giving the government the power to take away our freedoms while we sit back and say, "please, make us safer" and WILLINGLY GIVE THEM UP. I'm afraid of what's going to happen if such an important Amendment is just disregarded. Is free speech next?
On another note, after posting this I am probably on some sort of list. Probably right below my father's name! I suppose loving our conuntry while simultaneously questioning it runs in the family. Thomas Paine of course started the whole thing.
"According to the Washington Post, US Federal Agents may now detain your laptop at the border for an indefinite period of time, and - get this - without any reasonable cause whatsoever:
The policies state that officers may “detain” laptops “for a reasonable period of time” to “review and analyze information.” This may take place “absent individualized suspicion.”
The policies cover “any device capable of storing information in digital or analog form,” including hard drives, flash drives, cellphones, iPods, pagers, beepers, and video and audio tapes. They also cover “all papers and other written documentation,” including books, pamphlets and “written materials commonly referred to as ‘pocket trash’ or ‘pocket litter.’”
Federal agents may take a traveler’s laptop computer or other electronic device to an off-site location for an unspecified period of time without any suspicion of wrongdoing, as part of border search policies the Department of Homeland Security recently disclosed.
Perhaps I just read the US Constitution too literally, but this strikes me as a clear violation of the 4th Amendment. See if you agree:
Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
I'm sorry, but this is a tad bit ridiculous. So with ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE the border patrol could seize my laptop for an indefinite period of time WHILE THUS LITERALLY VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I feel that the Constitution is one of the most important parts of our government and when the government so BOLDLY violates something which is supposed to be taken as law REALLY ANGERS ME. Look, I know there has been changes in it because OBVIOUSLY no one has slaves, etc...but the fourth amendment isn't something that should be brushed aside in this day and age. What is this country turning into? The threat and fear of terrorism really is giving the government the power to take away our freedoms while we sit back and say, "please, make us safer" and WILLINGLY GIVE THEM UP. I'm afraid of what's going to happen if such an important Amendment is just disregarded. Is free speech next?
On another note, after posting this I am probably on some sort of list. Probably right below my father's name! I suppose loving our conuntry while simultaneously questioning it runs in the family. Thomas Paine of course started the whole thing.