On 25 Apr 2001, at 13:34, Matthew Gaylor wrote:
> Not quite- I don't think it's nothing. I find it a gross and
> serious privacy violation when I have to show ID and provide a phone
> number when I fly.
The initial point I was attempting to communicate is you can't
compare train service in the UK with what is left of train service in
Canada and the USA. A better comparison would be trains in the
UK to the Greyhound type bus system in the USA.
I actually intended to respond to Tim May's message but my
response to you would be much the same.
The US government is following a path which is leading to
significant less freedom for its citizens. After TWA 800 ID was
mandatory for air travel, even after it was determined TWA 800 was
most likely brought down by issues not related to terrorism or
deliberate human intention. Yet no complains, except a few
grumbles on this list.
It is in the hands of US citizens, if they don't want to be forced to
produce ID they wouldn't have to. The government can't force their
citizens to do what the citizens don't want to do. Prohibition is an
example of the government eventually giving way to the wants of the
people. Even the recent taming of the IRS is an example of the
government responding to its citizens.
I really hate to be so cynical but most people actually believe they
are safer if they allow the government to take all their weapons and
watch their every move. Just look at the UK and their cameras. A
lot of people have lost the ability to think for themselves, they
believe what the media feeds them and never bother to question
what they are being told or the tilt of the organization presenting the
information. Authorities are generally believed without question.
I find I most bulletize information for most people now. People
seem to have lost the ability to understand any concept which can't
be explained in 25 words or less. Use more than 25 words and
their comprehension sub-system resets. How can freedom be
explained in less than 25 words?
> And note that Amtrak did pull the DEA's direct access to their
> ticketing system. They did so not because they knew they were in the
> wrong, which they were, but rather the American public won't stand
> for it.
Is Amtrak still getting a cut of any cash seized under Asset
Forfeiture? Is Amtrak still feeding the DEA information in an
indirect manner? If Amtrak is still profiling passengers and feeding
information to the DEA you still have a problem. Amtrak should
only be concerned with running a passenger service and that their
passengers behave while under the control of Amtrak.
Cooperation with law enforcement is fine but one wrong seizure of
assets is not worth the gain of 100 seizures.
Virtually
Raymond D. Mereniuk
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
FBN - Providing An Unique Investment Opportunity
http://www.fbntech.com/i-sucker.html
