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Martin Hotze wrote:


And then there are those immigration officers ... but this is a completeley
different story.


You mean those worthless bums that are trying to protect the borders
of a soverign nation from unkbnown individuals attempting to sneak in
to a country (contrary to appropriate laws) in order to persue whatever
agenda they might have?

Martin Hotze wrote:

No, I mean those very fine men and women at the immigration desk of big
airports asking stupid questions to plainloads full of *tourists* who only
want to spend *money* (holidays, you know) in this country.

Well now here we might find some common ground. I feel it is totally
inane to strip search littel old ladies at airports while leaving the
borders essentially open.

And all this
crap already started before bording in Europe. And this was well pre 9-11.
BTDT, but like many others I met (by chance) we now spend our $$ elsewhere.
So for several years now there was no "BTDT", but I heard it got worse. But
this is OK with me. Your country, your rules. Really! (But it would be
great if you would make this more clear overseas.)

Well, in case you haven't noticed... a good percentage of the world
supposedly *hates* the United States. (the reasons are varied and I
won't delve into them now).

Just let us (me) know if anything changes (back to normal) so we (I) might
consider your really beautiful country again for our (my) vacation
destination and maybe for a really nice x-country. I really enjoyed
travelling there. It now would even be a bargain (about 40% cheaper),
compared to (eg) 2002, thanks to the current exchange rate.


It will probably change when most of the rest of the wolrs'd rhetoric
changes from blaming Ameica for every possible ailment of mankind to
appreciating America's efforts in providing assistance from everything
from stopping German dictators to feeding vivtims of Tsunamis.

Well now here we might find some common ground. I feel it is totally
inane to strip search littel old ladies at airports while leaving the
borders essentially open.

If little old ladies get a free pass, that's how the next weapon would
be smuggled aboard. With or without the little old lady's knowledge.
It's like putting a sign on your house saying "no weapons here".

It is impossible to provide complete security in a free and open
society. And so long as data, discourse, and opinions are allowed to
freely pass through the borders, seeds will be planted here for citizens
to become terrorists too. It's a question of what you want to give up.

Jose
--
There are two kinds of people in the world. Those that just want to
know what button to push, and those that want to know what happens when
they push the button.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

Jose wrote:


It is impossible to provide complete security in a free and open
society. And so long as data, discourse, and opinions are allowed to
freely pass through the borders, seeds will be planted here for citizens
to become terrorists too. It's a question of what you want to give up.


Well stated Sir. I will end this thread of discourse by quoting a
respected early American by the name of Patrick Henry who once
made the statement "give me liberty or give me death".

Would that we had such principled leaders in the world today.

"kontiki" wrote in message ...

Well, in case you haven't noticed... a good percentage of the world
supposedly *hates* the United States. (the reasons are varied and I
won't delve into them now).



I saw an interesting bumber sticker today...

"49% of americans agree with 99% of the world"

Martin Hotze wrote:

what do you expect? It is expected from you and from us to do so. We do our
share, you do your share. End of talking about it. There is no need to talk
about it for 50 years.
If you happily do it: fine. Do it. But don't expect many thank you's or
expect that it is counted towards something else.


In my humble opinion we should have stopped handing out American
taxpayers money to countries around the worls decades ago. And I
have not been "happily" doing so over these years. It may be
time for a sea change.

Martin Hotze wrote:

Just let us (me) know if anything changes (back to normal) so we (I) might
consider your really beautiful country again for our (my) vacation
destination and maybe for a really nice x-country. I really enjoyed
travelling there. It now would even be a bargain (about 40% cheaper),
compared to (eg) 2002, thanks to the current exchange rate.

You wouldn't like it here or feel safe. Many people carry firearms
concealed. It is better if you vacation elsewhere. :-)

Matt