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Wish I had been there! Escape published it on Facebook.

Oz, I liked the way in which you responded; you kept your cool. I would have blown it! I get pissed when I'm having to be patted down after going through the new X-Ray machines here in the US and have NOT handled this very well! While I read the queries which you were asked, I answered quietly to myself; my responses were NOT what I think one of those agents would have wanted to hear. I concur with all of your comments here! Albeit I am a US citizen, I abhor some of the shit we have had to undergo in many areas under the guise of democracy. But in spite of this, I'd rather be here than in some other countries where the freedoms are more limited. We have a vast degree of freedoms, but they're monitored in one way or another!

I really am happy to be an American. I am very unhappy that being an American does not stand for what it once did. We are not a democracy that is to be admired and looked up to by the rest of the world. We are not a shining example of anything any longer. We do have more freedom of speech but not as much as some other countries. Our liberties are being stripped away and our freedoms are being fucked with. Just look at the US House of Representative. Is it really representative of the people? With the new money from the billionaires, will my vote be as important as it once was? I don't think so. So, you are right jim, I should be happy to have been born on US soil. But, I am not happy that this country has gradually changed from the powerhouse it once was to being less relevant each year. I don't know. I answer in Yes or No for most questions. They want you to talk. But, that is stupid with these guys. I am not worried they will ever find anything illegal in my possession. I don't have it, never have and never will. But, I do hate that I was targeted as an older white guy traveling to Asia. That is my whole point. I have not liked the road we started down with the 2nd Bush and I think it gets no better each year.

Hi Tomcal: I'm going to the Czech Rep in early June. 4 days in Prague and then 3 days in Tabor which is about an hour by train from Prague. I have a young friend who lives in Tabor who likes bears and has invited me to stay with him. But Escape and Temple will be on my agenda. I've taken note of all the comments you and Paulo have made. I'm thinking of stay at the Ariston which seems priced quite reasonably. Airfare from my city to Prague is about $1260 Cdn, I'll be flying into Toronto from my town and then on to Warsaw and then to Prague. 16 hours in total. So looking forward to it.

For the first time in 20 years traveling out of the USA, there was a team of Homeland Security agents that were picking people at random. The flight was headed to Asia. The passengers they were picking were single men. They asked questions like: Why are you going to Bangkok? What do you do there? Where do you stay? How many times have you been? Why do you go so much? Have you ever seen any trafficking of any kind? How many bags do you have? What are in them? Do you have camera equipment? I was more than a little surprised to get these questions upon leaving the USA. They said they were trying to target traffickers before they leave the USA. The questions were odd and I can't imagine a trafficker actually answering them wrong. When asked if I was going to Bangkok to see the ladies, I laughed and said no. He said, why do you laugh. I said, I'm gay so I have no desire for ladies. He asked if I liked boys. I said I have a Long Term Boyfriend for 10 years and if he calls that liking boys then yes, I guess I do. The conversation lasted about 10 min before he selected the next single guy. There were 6 agents in total. While I do realize that there must be a point to this, the rationale behind the expense baffles me. And, I was insulted that I was targeted as a traveling alone single guy. When I arrived in Thailand, I went to the customs and he guy said, "you have been here many times, you must like Thailand." I said Yes. He said, "good. Welcome to Thailand." Fuck America! (Yes, I know some of you will be upset over my foul language but I can't wait till I am 50 and never had to return to that cess pool of puritanical beliefs.

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out--because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me." Martin Niemöller Just so. As MsGuy reminded the other day, this gladsome tradition goes all the way back to the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798.

Soft totalitarianism? Like some other things, this can go from soft to hard in a very short time. We seem to be marching down the wrong road. Best regards, RA1

I have had most of these questions asked of me when returning from Bangkok, until I got Global Entry. I've never been questioned headed over. I am leaving today for Bangkok, but I am going thru Helsinki. In London you get the third degree from security as an American. In Helsinki, I've barely seen security. The US is working with the Thai government on trafficking, so this may be a new crackdown.

No threat from ME, Adam...........

Just another example of our liberties being usurped. However, in one form or another, this has been going on for nearly 40 years of which I am personally aware. I have made hundreds (at least) of trips where I was going "one way" because I was either picking up or delivering an aircraft. Years ago I was constantly singled out as a possible drug smuggler, now I suppose I am merely a terrorist suspect. I have had my survival gear opened by US customs which meant it had to be re-packed are re-certified. Time consuming and expensive. At one point it got bad enough that I "threatened" them with a FOI inquiry which made them back off for a while. I fear complaining shall not be enough. Best regards, RA1

I'm surprised that you were surprised, TO. Not only in the US but throughout Europe, the authorities are co-operating to try and identify human traffickers and pedophiles before they commit their crimes. As you must be aware, many such have been found guilty because of the images they hold on their electronic devices. There is currently outrage in the UK over a US schoolteacher who appears to have drugged male pupils before assaulting them. He committed suicide (in Minnesota, I believe) having evaded detection for many years by working in various countries outside the US. His crimes have come to light because he recorded what he did on a hard drive.

Well, I think I'm right cute!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV9_ivcKZw0