I’m a Journalist but I Didn’t Fully Realize the Terrible Power of U.S. Border Officials Until They Violated My Rights and Privacy

submitted by Optimus85 from (theintercept.com)

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[–]IamRedBeard 4 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 2 fun -  (5 children)

Did you read the article? like at all? Or did you just glance at it and decide to just blow it out your ass? This didn't happen "Across somebody else's borders" It happened here. Once upon a time we didn't treat our citizens like this. Not without Just Cause.

That shit might happen all the time where you come from. We are use to having rights. It even mentions this in the above article that you didn't read.

If it weren't for congress, Trump would have lifted all the sanctions on Russia. That Traitorous Dog is in their Pocket

Benjamin Franklin once said: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

Special for you: https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/187/614/59c.png

You keep on a cukin' there buddy - I'm going to try to fight for our liberties back.

[–]Scoobiedoo 4 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 2 fun -  (4 children)

You clearly haven't been paying much attention since US customs have been like this for a long time. I've heard many similar horror stories of customs agent's abuse of power under Clinton both Bush's and Obama. The journalist was being lippy and uncooperative and that is a sure fire bet to get into deep shit with customs agents and he clearly (like most journalists) had an anti-Trump bias which oozed repeatedly out of his writing.

This comment alone tells you what sort of man-child this 'journalist' is:

"But then a third officer, whose name was Villarreal, carefully read every page of my 2019 journal, including copious notes to self on work, relationships, friends, family, and all sorts of private reflections I had happened to write down. I told him, “Sir, I know there’s nothing I can do to stop you, but I want to tell you, as one human being to another, that you’re invading my privacy right now, and I don’t appreciate it.”

Not to mention:

"I wasn’t allowed to leave the Homeland Security zone, either. I know because I tried to sort of wander out a couple of times and got yelled at."

What an ass, he is lucky he didn't end up in jail for his behavior.

And:

I told him I at least had the right to know what files he was reviewing. “All of them,” he said, giving me a hard stare. “I’m going to look at all of them.”

“Please don’t look at the one called ‘Secret ISIS Confession,’” I said.

That attitude right there is why it kept getting worse for him.

[–]IamRedBeard 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

You are right. And they should start stopping us from state to state, too and checking our papers.

I know! Maybe we should be required to Log in with our birth names and socials Every Time we access the internet!

I like that Idea! And Breathalyzers in every car Too! Also they should be able to track us for insurance purposes too!

And to prevent Theft you should have to log into the Grocery store when you go in!

And my favorite comes from China! That social credit score? I bet that would give you a freaking Fascist HARD ON!

The world you live in where this is okay is a fucking Nightmare. And before you try saying this is some straw-man bullshit: We have seen in the past where if you give them an Inch they take Miles.

Wasn't there a shitty Democrat that said something along those lines about a month or two ago? That if he got an inch he would take a mile? on the Second amendment? My yellow dog liberal ass would have him tossed out of his office too! Crazy prick.

So my point is right here: "He should have NEVER been taken aside in the first place to have his shitty childish attitude at ALL"

I just rolled my eyes so hard at you my head hurts.

[–]Scoobiedoo 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

That's a nice strawman argument you have there, I don't advocate abuse by customs officials but I also understand reality. You appear to have a rather child like understanding of the world. When people cross international borders customs officials are allowed to detain, search and question people to determine if they are carrying contraband items or are a threat and it has been that way for a long long time. You lose your rights at international border crossings and it isn't just the US. As a dual citizen of Canada and the US I have had my share of run-ins with power tripping customs agents on both the US and Canadian borders. You learn very quickly it is "yes sir, no sir", you don't joke and you are asking for trouble if you give any lip when dealing with customs officials as they have far reaching powers. Do I approve of such treatment? Of course not but none of this is new and it is the reality of crossing borders and believe me, it can and does get much worse in other parts of the world. I have had guns pointed at me and many items stolen right in front of me by customs agents entering several countries in Latin America and if you make a fuss about it they put you in jail. In the real world, when dealing with customs, you learn to keep your mouth shut except to answer questions. You really should get out and experience life more and understand the world isn't a soft and cuddly place where your feelings are more important than laws. I am all for humane and respectful treatment of people when crossing borders but questioning people and searching items brought across international borders does not contradict that. Given your naivety, I would hazard a guess and assume you are pro open borders, not understanding the reality such a policy would have on the country.

[–]IamRedBeard 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

You think a guard having a power trip is what stops terrorists? Interesting.

I think a guard doing his job is actually what stops terrorists.

If giving examples of runaway fascism, that is a real thing that can and in some countries, IS happening, is your definition of strawmaning, then that is what I did.

If you think this Behavior is acceptable by border guards - Then, by ALL MEANS, do nothing. Seems like your good at that, so carry on because that's all Fascism needs to run amok. You do you.

The rest of the people in the U.S and Canada will go out in the heat and cold and hold signs and bitch until we are blue for you.

So go have an Icehouse and chill, Brah.