Post: #1

Very worrying development. German author critical of the NSA has been placed on a "no-fly" list. At least a "no fly to America" list, and was recently denied boarding of a plane travelling from South America to Denver.

The NSA are not exactly making themselves look credible here. So now they are in the business of putting their critics on no-fly list?. If they are really there to protect Americans from terrorists they should be doing this and not misusing their powers to go after critics. Aside from being sinister, it makes them look ridiculously insecure. What harm could a single German author possibly be to them? They are already saturated by bad publicity. A bit more won't make any difference. It's not like Snowdon, who actually knew things. This German guy is just a commentator.

http://www.thelocal.de/national/20131001-52193.html

Quote:"The airline worker had hardly entered my name when she paused, stood up and disappeared without explanation behind a door," he wrote.

"A few moments later she returned with clearly a high ranking person who told me in rapid Portuguese and then almost as quickly in English that because of "Border Crossing Security" she was duty bound to inform American authorities immediately about my arrival at the airport.”

Post: #2

Why should we let people in that talk shit about America? Entering our borders is a privilege, not a right. Entitlement at its finest. He exercised his right and so did the U.S.

Post: #3

(10-03-2013 12:53 PM)Aliblahba Wrote:  Why should we let people in that talk shit about America? Entering our borders is a privilege, not a right. Entitlement at its finest. He exercised his right and so did the U.S.

Because it's a catty, passive aggressive denial of criticism. From the country who championed the concept of free speech, no less. Criticism is healthy, suppressing it is authoritarian. It's the U.S.A. not the kappa phi sorority.

Post: #4

(10-03-2013 12:53 PM)Aliblahba Wrote:  Why should we let people in that talk shit about America? Entering our borders is a privilege, not a right. Entitlement at its finest. He exercised his right and so did the U.S.

The NSA is also monitoring non-terrorist foreign nationals, including Germans. So a German criticising them is reasonable.

America barring critics make it more like China, North Korea or some silly Banana Republics. Not like America. It indicates a lack of self confidence. i.e. Insecurity.

You're right that any country has a right to bar non-citizens from entering, But the reasons countries do this speaks volumes. The USA has usually only barred people they think will renege on the conditions of their visa, or who are security threats. This guy doesn't fit either of these.

Edit PS: He isn't criticising America. He is criticising the NSA and some institutions surrounding it. Big difference.

Post: #5

(10-03-2013 12:56 PM)Wadsworth Wrote:  

(10-03-2013 12:53 PM)Aliblahba Wrote:  Why should we let people in that talk shit about America? Entering our borders is a privilege, not a right. Entitlement at its finest. He exercised his right and so did the U.S.

Because it's a catty, passive aggressive denial of criticism. From the country who championed the concept of free speech, no less. Criticism is healthy, suppressing it is authoritarian. It's the U.S.A. not the kappa phi sorority.

Yes, next time it will be said why should people be free when they talk shit about USA even if they are citizens of the USA? they are betrayer and lose their right for free speech. - reminds me of the Mc Carthy times.

Post: #6

(10-03-2013 12:53 PM)Aliblahba Wrote:  Why should we let people in that talk shit about America? Entering our borders is a privilege, not a right. Entitlement at its finest. He exercised his right and so did the U.S.

Because America is comprised of adults who can handle appropriate criticism.

Because he wasn't talking shit about America, but was advocating on behalf of Americans who love freedom and the Constitution over a global NWO police state.

Because we don't want to be a Third World banana republic

Interestingly, Spiegel.de reported that a German helicopter buzzed the U.S. consulate and broke some china there to send a message of disapprobation on the NSA spying of Germans

Post: #7

And yet USA criticizes China and Russia over very similar stuff. It's just mind-blowing. Have they no sense of shame?