General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDHS is basically opening our mail NO WARRANT NEEDED! "Doesn't matter if we are U.S. citizens.
I found out today that customs is going through our (everyone's) mail from overseas. And the guy who explained it said it was there right and it doesn't matter if the item is address to a U.S. citizen.
What the F that is the 4th amendment out the window.
I don't like that line --IF you did nothing wrong you have nothing to hide. I believe in Ben Franklin's saying: "If someone gives up Liberty/Freedom for security they deserve neither Freedom/liberty nor security.
leveymg
(36,418 posts)sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)has been going on. I have cancelled our Verizon Cell Phone and told them I find it creepy to learn that my calls, which I pay for, to my family and friends have a stalker on the line, a third person 'collecting and storing' those calls for some inexplicable reason.
They denied it, told me 'we don't want to lose you as a customer'. Sad, isn't it?
It's all about money. I think we'll probably find out that none of this was about 'security', it wa all about data mining for Big Corporations so they know what to 'sell' you regarding products.
But the funding for this 'surveillance' was NOT based on 'data mining' for Big Business, it was based on the claim of 'National Security'. That may be the 'scandal' they are so desperate to hide, because if it turns out to be true, the money flow from Congress to those multi-million-dollar Security Corps will be cut off. And to them, that would be worse than death.
tammywammy
(26,582 posts)That's what Customs is.
diabeticman
(3,121 posts)usually when I have gone through customs I've given permission for the officers to look. I like to know that the book I order from England is considered mine because I bought it and the Government either needs a warrant or my permission to search my property as the 4th amendment states.
randome
(34,845 posts)I sincerely doubt that DHS is 'ripping open your mail'.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]There is nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it.
Nothing.[/center][/font][hr]
treestar
(82,383 posts)who gives a damn? It's just a book.
And wherever you found out, they are wrong. How would they have time to search everything? They likely have some sort of standard they use to determine what might be worth searching.
FSogol
(45,471 posts)Customs is looking into packages entering the country!
BTW, Why didn't you complain when President George W (Um... the W stands for Washington) started this practice by signing the Tariff Act of July 4, 1789. Of course that evil Congress authorized it a few weeks later so I guess they are culpable too.
Orrex
(63,199 posts)loli phabay
(5,580 posts)FSogol
(45,471 posts)I know how US Customs works.
loli phabay
(5,580 posts)FSogol
(45,471 posts)MineralMan
(146,284 posts)Mail sent to or received from outside the U.S. can be opened by authorities, and has been for many decades.
Is it right? I don't know. Is it done? Yes.
hootinholler
(26,449 posts)Yeah, it's called Customs. If you would like to avoid it, put your stuff in a diplomatic pouch and have it hand carried by someone with diplomatic immunity.
FSogol
(45,471 posts)Problem solved.
pipi_k
(21,020 posts)whatever mail comes to my house is not being opened by customs.
Mr Pipi buys a lot of electronics and other similar stuff that comes from China.
Never saw even one package opened up. Ever.