(Guest blogged by Nonny Mouse)
The travel and tourist industry is one of the United States' biggest money-makers, generating $103 billion in tax revenue every year. Without this tax revenue, every American household would pay nearly $1,000 more in taxes every a year. But while the travel business is flourishing internationally, tourism to America has been on a steep decline, dropping 36 percent between 1992 and 2005, with a loss of $43 billion in 2005 alone. The nation's international tourism balance of trade declined more than 70 percent over the past 10 years - from $26.3 billion in 1996 to $7.4 billion in 2005.
People are simply choosing to go elsewhere. But as a follow-on to Logan Murphy’s excellent post on the increasing invasion of privacy by the soon-to-be approved Passenger Name Record for passengers entering international airports, allow me to present a personal view into why tourists are deciding not to spend their money visiting the States.
I moved from Great Britain to New Zealand last week, requiring a flight of 26 hours crammed into a big metal tube with about four hundred other brave souls, the vast majority of us packed into the Economy Class part of a 747, with the usual narrow seats, no leg rests, and poor overheated air ventilation that inevitably leads to sharing every virus on board with everyone else. I dropped at least half my on-board meals down my cleavage trying to eat with elbows pressed together, my ankles swelled to the size (and shape) of a small elephant’s, my calves were a mass of cramps, my eyes throbbed from trying to watch too many movies on a tiny screen eight inches from my nose, my back ached from trying to sleep at twisted, unnatural angles, and my throat tickled with what I knew would end up being a full blown head cold. No, long-haul flights are not fun. People take them because it’s about the only way to get where they really, really want to go. And I really, really wanted to go to New Zealand.
At least there was a chance for a small break once we’d landed in Los Angeles to change flight crews, restock the food galleys and drinks trolleys and refuel the plane, a chance to stretch our legs in the transit lounge and take a breath of fresh air. So you would think…
And you would be so wrong.
We were told to disembark with all our carry-on luggage, leaving nothing on board. Those who were flying from London to Auckland were told to line up against a wall in a corridor while those whose flights terminated at Los Angeles filed past and disappeared. And there, in a hot, cramped corridor we stood and waited. And waited. And waited. I finally couldn’t stand it, and asked where to find the ladies’ loo – to be ordered not to leave the line. (Sod that, thought I, or rather, my bladder) and I wandered up the queue to discover that we were being processed, slowly, one by one, by a single officer in a tiny booth. After a quick dash to a toilet, I made my way back down the line to where I’d left my new comrades-in-arms – Judy, a petite, smartly dressed 61-year-old Kiwi schoolteacher in London on compassionate leave going home to Auckland to see her terminally ill father, and Derek, a wiry Scots engineer with an acerbic sense of humour. ‘You bloody Yanks seem to think terrorism is something new and only ever happens to Americans,’ he groused to me. Being possibly the only bloody Yank going from London to New Zealand, I became by default the sole available representative for my fellow countrymen. ‘We’ve had the IRA and the French have the Algerians and the Spanish have ETA. Now you know what the rest of Europe’s been living with for the last few hundred years. Why don’t you lot just grow up?’ Heads around us nodded in irritated agreement.
To our relief, we were finally moved out of the corridor, all following another LAX official to what we were expecting to be the transit lounge… but to our collective dismay, we were herded into a bigger Immigration area, where all those who were not US passport holders filled out long green cards asking detailed personal information, to be handed over to US Immigration officials busy taking everyone’s fingerprints and photographs. There was some confusion about just what to do with me, as I was a US citizen, but was flying on to New Zealand. Eventually, I was given a shorter blue form to fill out. A couple of students with worried expressions – Germans, I think, judging from the language – were being led away by uniformed police who were having interpretation problems. It was a very repressive and rather frightening atmosphere.
Bear in mind here… we were all ‘non-stop’ transit passengers, due to get straight back on the same plane we’d just gotten off and fly on to Auckland, never setting foot outside the airport and onto American soil.
Judy, in her strong Kiwi accent, demanded from one of the officials standing guard around us why they needed to take our fingerprints or our photographs. ‘It’s the law,’ he mumbled, a bit shamefaced, and spouted a few disconnected bits of pre-memorized clichés about terrorism and security before stuttering to a halt and looking away. Not even the officials at the airport understood why.
The Immigration official at the booth was not so polite to her. ‘Take your glasses off,’ he demanded. I could see her stiffen, an elderly respectable schoolteacher unused to being so brusquely ordered around. ‘I beg your pardon? Why do I need to take my glasses off? What right do you have to take my fingerprints or my photograph?’
Again, came the refrain. ‘It’s the law’.
We finally were allowed, once we’d all been ‘processed’, to sit down and have a cup of tea or coffee in the transit lounge… for about fifteen minutes before they reloaded the plane. Judy looked angry and close to tears. ‘I’ve never been treated like this before,’ she said. ‘It’s all one thing when you read about it, but having to actually submit to being fingerprinted? I feel… violated. Like I’m some sort of criminal.’
Would she ever consider returning to the States, as a tourist?
Absolutely not. And the next time she flew from London to Auckland, she’d make damned sure the flight did not stop to refuel in America.
This was pretty much the general feeling of every passenger on that flight – none of them had ever intended to enter the United States; it was just a place they had to wait in transit to somewhere else. But their experience had soured them on even considering the States as a potential holiday spot to visit. It didn’t matter how cheap the US dollar got.
And they have friends and families, too. Some people don’t like it when their 61-year-old mothers are treated like potential al Qaeda terrorists.
While the rest of the world is enjoying a boom in tourism, and our own tourist industry is begging the government for a let-up on such draconian policies, the abysmal way we are treating air passengers – even those who have nothing to do with visiting America as tourists – is costing the country millions of dollars a day, our reputation as debased as our currency.
We are not becoming a police state.
We are one.
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things are gettine worse
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tMACzBomDK4
Oh, damn-----Frist!!!
Oh, damn! *lol* NOT!
Security is ridiculous. Having flown to Israel recently, and seen how much more reasonable their security is, it's mindblowing. However, once you start with the common sense arguments, the right starts to scream that we should profile. So instead of that, we overreact in the other direction. Where's the balance.
Good luck in New Zealand, Nonny. And thank you for the well written article.
Did the German students make it back to the flight??
I think numbers like that are really fuzzy. It may make $103 Billion in taxable income, but that doesn't directly translate into all that money still being needed. The travel industry COSTS a lot of money that are paid with those tax dollars. Without the tourist industry there would be less revenue, but less revenue would be needed.
Back to our regularly scheduled thread. :)
I'm Canadian, and I don't mind needing a passport to travel to the U.S. now (we didn't have to have one until recently). But I was alarmed by reading about that fingerprinting and name gathering stuff.
Think we'll stay home and explore our own country...
You would think with the price of the dollar right now that we would be flooded with travelers from Asia and Europe looking for bargains.
After reading this first hand account of how our wonderful(not) government is and has been treating flyers, I wouldn't fly(esp. commercial) if my life depended on it.
This sucks and frankly I hope it just sinks the tourism industry.
Nonny,
Welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand! In the future, fly through Singapore or Hong Kong to London to avoid LAX. LAX is notorious and the experience is always universally bad. Just what nobody needs on a long transcontinental haul. Depending on the transit time through Singapore, you can get a tour of the city, go swimming at the airport, or even take a hotel room inside the air terminal. What is so troubling about the USA is that it all the extra security seems to be about fearmongering. Its classic Orwellian. It certainly is not good security. LAX TSA was notorious for stealing stuff out of luggage and flogging it off at the local flea markets! It happened to us. You will find NZ as an enormous breath of fresh air.
We're not a police state, we're a national security state. For those of you who have been living in the parallel universe of middle clas america for the past thirty years, welcome to reality.
Michael @ 9:
Well, at least Coca-Cola, which has some 70% of their income from other countries, earn a huge profit from the currency rates, when they swap their income back to the US.
And I get lambasted on this site when I say how the USofA is the "new" Soviet Union.
This country was always meant to turn out this way. Anybody who truly knows the real history of the USofA knows this.
Things WILL get worse. You can bank on it.
Cafeenman, think of all those people that will be put out of work because there's less demand for hotel maids, and any other tourist related jobs. In some places without the tourist dollar, roads aren't repaired, hospitals subsidized, etc.
Our Administration is cutting off its nose inspite of its face (or however that saying goes).
Hell, even flying within the U.S. is ridiculous. You can't carry on a tiny swiss army knife with a 2" blade (really, can you bring a plane down with something like that?), you can't carry on a bottle of water, and EVERYONE has to remove their shoes.
I'm reminded of the old saying, "That's like closing the barn doors after the horses are out."
bookworm @ 8:
a very wise choice because you might be trapped here when bush declares martial law in his eventual overthrow of america!
Oh Nonny, your post and story had me crying before the end. I felt as if I were watching a movie and seeing a friend being so mistreated. Like most movies, at least this one had a happy ending and you are in a country that is, from everything that I hear, wonderful. For that I am so happy for you.
Our country has lost it's way in the name of fear. We are no longer the home of the brave. We are the home of the afraid and controlled. What a sad, sad situation. I don't know if there is a way back for us at this point.
Ranger Jay @ 16:
Considering that the democrats tried to make armored doors to the pilots mandatory during the 90's, but the republicans destroyed the initiative, its more like trying to jamming close the doors they refused to put locks on in the first place.
Hey - we're missing a great opportunity here! We could have trained (or not) christians standing by to preach the word of
godbush to all these poor, lost travelers! Just think of the glory! To lead 400 souls to salvation through the lord our god,jesus christgeorge bush! Hallelujah!bookworm @ 8:
Many Canadians ,myself included, feel the same way. Hardly worth the bother to go to BushCo US anymore. Talk about nutty and paranoid. There is so much to see and do in Canada anyways. Most Canadians going south of US to catch some sun, Cuba included ,make sure they have direct non stop flights to their destination. We still havent forgotten the Arar affair either. Pleas from Canadian Government on his behalf fell on deaf and paranoid ears there too. Nice way to treat guests.
Really great guest blog. The founding fathers would weap if they saw the draconian nature of the junta
This kind of stuff happens on domestic flights, too. Not the fingerprinting, but the long, poorly explained waits & the understaffed & uninformed security is now part of our travelling experience.
Jeez, your story sounds like it comes from the depths of the cold war and is about a stopover in Soviet East Berlin.
Next time, if you have to fly from UK to NZ again, go the other way, stop over in Singapore, they have a hotel inside the airport with a lovely swimming pool inside the security ring, juts the thing to break up a long haul flight.
If you have a longer stopover it is trivial to leave the airport and visit the city, minimal red tape.
America is just off my vacation list for the foreseeable future, I am in the UK and can go to so many different places in the world without a whole list of self important clerks getting in my face.
Welcome to America!
If they thinks all fo this crap is making us safer, they are full lof shit!
Fear controls people, and this is exactly what they wanted, and it is EXACTLY what Osame wants. Cripple our economy, cripple our movement, and eventually bankrupt our econmomy by spending last last nickel on defense and security.
And guess who gets richer?
aloha nuie nonny mouse , have a safe trip and please keep thoes tyree sayings safe for postarity, send me a pic of you in your mori dance costume and for gods sake dont let them musculard mori indian guys eyeball your charms to much!
Why the hell would anyone want to come to America with all the shit that's going on ATM? One minute you're chillin' on a beach next minute your snatched up by the goons in the black suits because your name is similar to some dipstick they have on a list somewhere.
Oh, and whatever you do don't got to an airport if you have a long beard. Two words - No lube.
wow. i'm speechless. all i have to offer is --> :(
thank you for sharing, nonny. how depressing...
the day he declares martial law is the day all those civilian militias will implement their plans to create thier one race one god state..
I live in Manhattan, NYC, and the place is PACKED TO THE GILLS with tours, tour buses, and tourists.
Don't have a clue what you're talking about here.
Let's see I can spend my money in any other country in the world and be treated like royalty or I can go to the U.S. where everyone wants your money but nobody wants to provide service, no deep thinking required.
I'm curious: Does anyone know what was causing the drop in tourist numbers before 9/11? Nonny's figures start 10 years before the ridiculous and pointless security.
I, too, am horrified at this story. I certainly won't be going to the US any time soon. There are more than enough other tourist destinations clamouring for my hard-earned money.
[deleted - check your attitude.]
I am sad, angry and outraged all at the same time. What you have described is SO unconstitutional it just blows my mind and I believe the Constitution applies to all, not just US citizens. The fearmongering going on is enormous and nothing can justify what you went through. My pride in this country has just taken another hit. Glad you finally made it to New Zealand, I'm afraid they may start getting many more US expatriates. We need to reverse course soon or it will be too late, I continue to hope it isn't already.
On CSPAN-3 Conyers is once again attempting to obtain testimony from Harriett Miers
and Bolton under the duly issued subpeona, BUT he is AGAIN making statements that
he is recommending that further contacts be made w/WH and others in order to obtain
a "compromise"...What a whimp...
This short episode does a pretty good job of boiling the current reality in the U.S. down to its essence. We're led to believe our "terrorist" problem is worse and different than anywhere else and we have an American iron fist answer to the problem. We're acting like a not-so-bright, spoiled drama queen not thinking or caring about anyone else but herself, unaware that everyone else looks at her with a mixed sense of pathos and disgust.
shuttleworth @ 30:
perhaps you're witnessing domestic tourism, not international. nonny's not talking mere observation here. check the link RE: steep decline.
1984....just a few years late. Congrats adolf dubyah and his henchmen reich-wing.
el kanuckistani @ 39:
So, are you saying Canadians call themselves "Americans"? I've seen this hissy fit before; quit being a whining twit. When someone says America, it ALWAYS means the USA and there is never a confusion.
A·mer·i·ca
–noun
1. United States.
“There ought to be limits to freedom.”
~ George W. Bush
Our Country has indeed been hijacked by a bunch of Neocon Paranoid Fearmongers and this is the result- I am so sorry, ashamed, horrified, and sickened by it...to the passengers I just want to scream to them- I AM SO SORRY for what you have been enduring - it is like 1930 's Germany here- I - ME ...A MOM..A NURSE..a Sometimes activist, very patriotic ...I am on a NO FLY LIST...I can go by train, or car or ??? BUT NOT Fly....I found this out in 2005 when I tried to travel for medical care....So I KNOW that we are in Trouble, and Draconian Systems are dangerously in place....hurting all kinds of people...and creating a Police State....
thanks for sharing this Nonny....I am so sorry...
Well, at least you can carry your cigarette lighter on board. (shakes head)
I take a flight to Asia about three times a year, riding economy class on the 747's.
A 16 hour flight.
My advice to all is get yourself a prescription for Valium. You really don't care about the length of the flight nor the hassles accompanying the trip. And sleeping is easy.
christine @ 15:
It's not the US cutting off its nose to spite its face (http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/cut+off+nose+to+spite+face). These are purposeful and senseless acts to acclimate people to the police state by fascists in our midst. This creeping police state has been going on for a long time now and was vastly accelerated by 9/11. This particular prong is not directed at US citizens except to the extent that it sends messages to US citizens, i.e., foreigners are dangerous, we are at war against foreigners who are entering the US and are among us, more security is required, and it may inconvenience or even affect you, etc.
Thank you for this post. Basically, the Bushies have confirmed that they have let the TERRORISTS WIN. The terrorists HAVE changed our lives. We are at their mercy, thanks to the Bushies. I am embarassed that you were treated in such a way, especially as a TRANSIT passenger. It's all just a waste of time and money. I'm ok with security checks at check in, xray of luggage, hand carry on... that's all reasonable... but what you have described is bureaucratic masturbation. A dog and pony show, for no reason.
You are right not to want to visit the U.S. It's not worth it. There are sights and wonders far greater than what is in the US just about everywhere now. The rest of the world has surpassed the U.S. The U.S. is passe.
I hope you enjoy New Zealand. Good luck.
CafeenMan @ 6:
what fact(s) back up that assumption? tourist go to the same points of interest as americans and thus add revenue. the cost per attendee is built into the profit calculations for any attraction. so loss of revenue from fallen attendance directly translates into loss of profits.
My feeling about airport security is this: Hassle me, but in a meaningful way. If you're going to check baggage, do it. X-ray it, chemical sniff it, open it if you have to. Ask questions that will make real terrorists nervous, maybe give themselves away. I've experienced real security, flying from Frankfurt into the old West Berlin, etc. You know when you are dealing with serious, committed security folks who are working to prevent something bad from happening.
What I always feel entering the US is that the people in immigration and customs are part of a demoralized bureaucracy, mechanically and meaninglessly making people's lives miserable. As in this post, they create more enemies for America and then mutter "its the law." This administration is ideologically committed to the idea that government cannot do anything effectively, and this attitude has visibly infected the people charged with protecting the borders. U.S. security is not only rude, stupid and unpleasant, it is ineffective, a very bad joke.
Clearly, the airline security system is fucked up in the US, but a little context is in order for balance. I recently flew to and from Scotland via London, and by far the worst experience I've had flying was with British Airways who screwed up each and every possible thing it could (canceled one flight, delayed the next, lost luggage, in flight entertainment system went down after first hour, long queues for everything, yadda yadda).
Upon returning to Newark Liberty airport (one of the worst in the US, no less), expecting long delays going through immigration, I handed my card, my passport, answered a couple very brief questions, and was off to baggage claim (which for once had NOT been screwed up by British Airways). Took maybe 5 minutes total to go through inbound security.
I'm not saying tales of security woes are not widespread, but with the volume of people traveling, and the fact that nobody ever mentions GOOD experiences because stories of things going well just don't get our attention, I think it is good to try to keep some perspective. Fix what's broke, but acknowledge that lots of it is not broke.
Thanks for this article Noony Mouse.
I have something to add as far as the security matrix goes.
I received a check from a friend. When I tried to cash his check at his bank I was required to enter the bank and give them my right thumb print in order to do so.
When I deposited cash money into another friends account since I was going by our bank anyway I was required to remove my sunglasses at the drive through.
I don't know why they wanted/needed to positively identify me on either occasion. I complied but not before telling them it was a bunch of BS.
Don't know if this is happening everywhere in the good old USA, or only here in Huntsville, Al.
Of course revenues are down. who in their right minds wants to visit or support a rogue/totalitarian police state. America isn't a place to come to so much as it's becoming a place to flee from.
Jay: they ORDERED an older woman to take off her glasses. Rudely. After making her wait in jail-like conditions for hours.
You don't see the problem? - then you're part of the problem. Republifascist.
We are not becoming a police state.
We are one.
Precisely!
We need to stop talking in the conditional about "what we could become if we continue..." and start recognizing what we have become, thanks to BushCo.
Dr. Matt @ 40:
I think his point is that usage is inaccurate and excludes others, rendering them irrelevant to the entire continent. I happen to agree. We're all Americans in America (or "the Americas").
It's a gripe, not a "hissy fit." Don't be an asshole.
Good Luck Noony Mouse
BIG WET SQUISHY KISSES FROM US.
GOOD LUCK ! GOOD LUCK !
Watch out for Australia.
If the World were a human body
Australia would be the Anus.
Dr. Matt @ 39:
Dr. Matt -
Do you get out much? Do you know anybody from South America? Sure, they may not refer to themselves as "Americans," but that doesn't mean that they aren't Americans.
By definition, if you are from North America or South America, you ARE an American. Just because one resides in, say, Brazil, and refers to themself as a "Brazilian" doesn't make them any less of an American. They just choose to narrow their place of residence in the Americas down to a specific native country.
Conversely, our tendency to refer to ourselves as "Americans" inherently means we are not specifying a native country. Think about it - France and Germany both reside in Europe, but very few of their citizens refer to themselves first-and-foremost as "Europeans" - rather, they specify their residence in a native country by referring to themselves as "French" and "Germans."
We are citizens of the United States of America if you want to be nativist about referring to yourself. We are not, however, the only or true "Americans." Everybody on the continents of North America and South America lay claim to that title.
Jeremiah @ 36:
This ain't drama queen stuff. the meanness of the people at dulles airport make this crew look like girlscouts. "It's the law!" is just the beginning! These security people are underpaid, undertrained and are instructed that they have near unlimited authority. Some may have a conscience, but most do not. Read some accounts of how a mother was attacked for actually having a bottle of baby formula. The security at dulles wouldn't even let her drink it. so she could proceed. They humiliated her, physically abused her and called for re-inforcements when her husband tried to help. Eight abusive people for one woman who wanted to be able to feed her baby. Here's the punchline: She worked for US Homeland Security.
Tom @ 48:
Want to buy a condo in baghdad?
Orwell's Illegitimate Son @ 54:
Do you get out much? Do you know anybody from South America? Sure, they may not refer to themselves as "Americans," but that doesn't mean that they aren't Americans.
duncanidho @ 29:
they will join with Blackwater as the newly deputized domestic police force.
Dr. Matt @ 39:
No. We don't call ourselves Americans. We call ourselves Canadians. The people from Mexico call themselves Mexicans. I'll refer to meatheads like you as USer's or USraelis.
When I say America, I'm referring (ALWAYS) to the two continents between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
I know your government tells you you are the greatest, and you believe you rule the world, but , as Iraq, Viet Nam, North Korea and a lot of other "evil doers" have shown, that is not necessarily true.
See? It wasn't a WHINE. It was a rant, and I guess I was only thanking the rest of you for letting me have it.
I landed at logan from Iceland last year. The Customs person told us in a loud voice "Americans on the right, immigrants and others on the left". She repeated this three times to which my buddy said in a loud voice "I saw this on Schindler's list". They were not amused.
They finger printed every Icelandic citizen aboard that flight.
[...] And there, in a hot, cramped corridor we stood and waited. … article continues at Logan Murphy brought to you by travel and [...]
Japandrew @ 57:
Actually, my Brazilian friends do call themselves Americans, South Americans, depending on the context. They've sensitized me--sweetly, but clearly--to the degree it grates for them to hear US citizens appropriate the term "American."
Oh! Thanks for the story, Nonny. Sorry for your trouble. Truly disturbing.
Ace Armstrong @ 12:
Welcome to unreality, you mean. This national security state is a ruse. As soon as the next bogus national disaster, we will be a police state OVERNIGHT. We EXPECT it.
Most of us are neither blind nor retarded nor of any particular class.
Chuck @ 7:
i never could stand alex jones, though i thought he was on to something when it came to a handful of issues. i'm really starting to believe a lot more though. we don't share political ideaology, but as far as being opposed to police state, etc...
over the top is right- i thought his bohemian grove stuff was really nutty. i mean, it's kinda scarey, a bunch of old farts acting out seemingly satanic rituals, but i really think it's more or less an overblown fraternity for rich old sob's who have exhausted everything else there is to take interest in...
still, all his productions on the creeping police state do seem to be true, and they're getting bolder and bolder. i've noticed it for a while and always did think it started way before "W."
can't help but hope he's wrong about it getting much worse though.
If you don't have to fly, for God's sake, don't. If you must, avoid the United States if at all possible. You don't need the hassle. Sad to say...
I am "An American in Canada" and I have NO DESIRE to return to the US. I now consider Canada my home and as soon as I qualify for citizenship, I'm going to get it.
My Mom (and rest of family) think I'm crazy of course, but they don't see what I see.
I am traveling to the US for a week in August and I am quite frankly afraid of being there and will be very glad to get back across the border.
Col Kilgore @ 21:
That's the trouble with having some arrogant Repuglican thug in charge of Homeland (how I hate that term) Security.
The assholes make a big show of harrassing people who have absolutely zero chance of being terrorists, stealing people's shampoo, and generally wasting a monumental amount of our time.
Here is why 9/11 happened- aside from the Repug criminal incompetence in ignoring plain warnings about an impending attack:
1) Box cutting knives were not prohibited and the highjackers were allowed to carry them on board. All cutting instruments are now prohibited.
2) Because of lobbying by the airlines, cockpit doors were not secure against invasion from the passenger compartment- and the idea of copying the Israeli policy of using some sort of gas to incapacitate the passengers in case of a planned uprising has not even now been implemented.
*the disgraceful harassment of the passengers (execpt of course the super-rich who own their own planes) is just to keep the fear freak on. Pure and simple, it is thought to benefit the Repugs at the polls.
shuttleworth @ 30:
what you're seeing is people who are probably looking to buy US real-estate and other goods because your currency has been plummeting.
Cantor de Mambo @ 44:
Yeah, I know... I was trying to be optimistic.
What happened on Nonny's flight was stupid, arrogant, a total waste of resources, and meant to instill to foreigners that once you get to US soil, you have no rights (anymore). I wouldn't be very surprised if other countries started reciprocating the interrogations and I wouldn't blame them either. From Nonny's post it sounded like some of the airport workers thought the requirements were stupid waste of time, but did it because they want to keep a job to pay the rent. "‘It’s the law,’ he mumbled, a bit shamefaced, and spouted a few disconnected bits of pre-memorized clichés about terrorism and security before stuttering to a halt and looking away."
I never thought I'd live to see the process of the US becoming a police state, even though history has pointed out time and again that as civilizations/states evolve, a police state is a 'natural' and eventual progression. I just hope that the US police state is very short lived.
GWB, America's first dictator.....
Air travel has become inhuman.
You should have been provided day-rooms with showers and an expansive lounge area. Though I would not balk at the prospect of finger printing and photographing the entire world as they passed through the U.S., plenty of security people rested and armed with kind words would have gone a long way. But no, not in America. Its just to costly, and, we are after all, selfish capitalist pigs and must not be denied our cheap-shit ways.
Ace Armstrong @ 12:
What the hell is this supposed to mean? It make no sense, except the parallel universe!
America is 2 continents, South and North. ONE country on the Northern continent is call the United States of America. You are so full of yourselves to say you are "Americans".
I have learned to say "The states", or the "US", but the rest of you egomaniacal ethnocentrists can't seem to get it.
.Dr. Matt @ 39:
Greg @ 24:
Orwell's Illegitimate Son @ 14:
Living in then West-Berlin I was never treated like that when I travelled to East-Berlin or other socialist countries. No one ever took a photograph let alone fingerprints. All I needed was my GFR passport and some cash for the mandatory money exchange.
To make it short: The USSA is worse than the Soviet Union has ever been.
sorry nonny as useual when its early in the mornings i dont read the post first before i comment, so it seems you are allready in new zealand , good on yah gal, your flight sounds like pure hell, are you sure it wasnt a grayhound bus you were on ? it sounds like the experiences i had going to my ships reunion in san diego in the early 90s, it took over three ungodly days of sheer torture for me, it was so bad that for the first time in my life i did what i said id never do ,get on an air plane to return to indiana, of couse that was before cheny attacked us, so the airplane ride surprised me by not crashing !!!! still want you not to shake that thang at them hostile mories!
shuttleworth @ 30:
BS. Why would anyone want to go to New York?
To quote Homer Simpson, "If you don't like it, move to fucking Russia." Attitudes like yours are what's causing the country to lose the war on terror. I bet you also think McDonald's hamburgers taste like masking tape.
Salmineo @ 74:
to see thoes holes the government made!
Zealander @ 11:
I've longed to visit NZ for years. Any advice on a reliable realtor? We may consider moving there after we visit. I hear it's quite expensive, however.