Thread

1. Tangurena2 · 1790856629 · focus · HN ↗

   > “In [Fiscal Year] 2025, out of the over 419 million travelers CBP processed at ports of entry, CBP only searched the electronic devices of 55,318 international travelers,” the agency wrote, or 0.0013%.

   The harassment is targeted at critics & opponents of the current regime. The message is very clear: Be afraid of us. Be very afraid

   There are 33 days remaining until election day. Vote out all the incumbents.

   1. petcat · 1790857424 · focus · HN ↗

      I will be curious to see statistics from past years. I'm wondering if this is a new thing. I'm pretty sure US customs and border patrol have always had this power. I think basically every country exercises this power

      1. Lendal · 1790857949 · focus · HN ↗

         "It has always been this way, this is normal" is the typical first response to tyranny. It puts you on their side, which is fine if that's where you want to be. Just be aware of it. If you think it's wrong, you definitely don't want to be taking the side of "it's normal," because whether or not it's normal is irrelevant when your government is doing immoral and tyrannical behavior in your name.

         1. strictnein · 1790858607 · focus · HN ↗

            Weird response to a pretty benign question.

            Asking whether or not something is new or how frequently it's been done in the past isn't saying it's acceptable nor does it put them on the side of tyranny. In fact, a sign of tyranny would be a significant uptick in the number of these searches, and how else would you be able to see that worrying signal without answering the question they asked?

            1. soco · 1790859194 · focus · HN ↗

               The best moment to fix this was yesterday. The second best time to fix it is now.

               1. strictnein · 1790860197 · focus · HN ↗

                  Ok? That cliche is true of every single problem on Earth.

                  1. chaps · 1790864009 · focus · HN ↗

                     Sometimes it's helpful to write things or say things out loud even if they're obvious. Like my comment right now.
                  2. mingus88 · 1790866056 · focus · HN ↗

                     It’s not even true if you want to be pedantic about it

                     The quote is actually “the best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago. The second best time is today”

                     29 years ago, 28 years ago … all better than today. There are an infinite number of times better (and worse) than today.

            2. johnofthesea · 1790859849 · focus · HN ↗

               > Weird response to a pretty benign question.

               How was this question:

               > I think basically every country exercises this power

               1. strictnein · 1790860093 · focus · HN ↗

                  You quoted something that wasn't part of the question, which was "I'm wondering if this is a new thing".

                  Their impression was that it wasn't and that other countries do similar things. Stating your understanding of a situation helps guide discussion and helps people answer your inquiries. Doing that should be encouraged, not somehow treated as an endorsement of tyranny.

                  1. [deleted] · 1790861975 · focus · HN ↗

                     [deleted]

            3. p_j_w · 1790865166 · focus · HN ↗

               > how else would you be able to see that worrying signal without answering the question they asked?

               Was anyone ever refused entry because they had an image poking fun at Kamala Harris? There, your question has been answered.

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