Colombians to be fingerprinted upon entry to US

Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 4, 2004, 10:25:

Promoted I added a few links and some text to this post and promoted it to the front page because it was quite interesting. The more interesting posts are promoted to the homepage, as well as stories you write (you can write stories by clicking 'create content' after logging in).

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 4, 2004, 12:15:

In my opinion, Brazil's foriegn policy is a model for latin america. For example, when US drug companies charged ridiculous prices for AIDS drugs, Brazil simply floughted US patent laws and started making its own. The US promptly dropped AIDS drug prices for Brazil. Sure they got bad press (in the US) but it was worth it. The election of Bogota's mayor, who's hero is Brazil's Lula, may signal a more independant Colombia in the future too.

- vladimiro

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Nathan says on Jan 4, 2004, 12:15:

Brazil's photos and fingerprinting Sure, Brazil has the right to do whatever they want. So if they want to get into a pissing match with the US, that is their choice.
I suppose they could up the ante and just outright ban all US visitors. That would teach those damn yankees not to go spending their tourist dollars in Brazil and corrupting Brazilians with employment in the tourist sector! The comments from the Brazilian judge were moronic. Brazil's large tourist industry will really love these guys!

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 4, 2004, 12:40:

I don't understand why we get all bent out of shape when other countries do to us exactly what we do to them. Sure we have the right to fingerprint visitors arriving in this country and they have every right to do this to us too. If Colombia starts fingerprinting, I'll give them my fingerprints - what's the big deal?

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 4, 2004, 13:47:

Pharmaceuticals You have also benefitted from the brain drain from all the developing countries, which have been contributing with the best of their talent over a very long period of time. Money is a powerful incentive. I think it's only fair that you pay for the research as a retibution to the poorer countries which have not been able to retain their prominent scientists and researchers due to bad economics and political unrest.
Cheers,
Desideria

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 4, 2004, 14:51:

Pharmas Interesting idea but I don't know how one could ever prove it - an objective balance sheet of sorts. The first counterpoint I would have is that the best and brightest learning at U.S. universities, even if paying their own tuition, are already subsidized by the U.S. taxpayer to some extent. Public and private universities, teaching hospitals, research institutions, trade schools, even the Ivies, in the aggregate receive many billions a year in U.S. government research grants, subsidized student loans and other student financial aid. The issue occasionally comes up - as it did shortly before the war in Iraq - when some private colleges decided they wouldn't allow ROTC or military recruiters on campus. Uncle Sam said, "fine, but we're pulling the plug on your federal assistance." As you said, money is a powerful incentive. ;-)

Where I think the U.S. gets a real "pass" is in the dollar being the world's reserve currency. And just as important, nearly all commodities are priced in dollars. Those two items are absolutely HUGE factors in the stability and strength of the U.S. economy and they insulate us from some pretty nasty swings in import prices and our debt repayment terms. The situation is just the reverse, of course, for Latin American exporters and their heavily indebted governments.
-Tinto

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 4, 2004, 21:57:

Finger printing all Colombians Unless there is reasonable suspiscion that a Colombian is involved in some highly illegal activity then I believe it is a basic infrigement of human rights. This sort of behavior makes people feel like dirt when they visit. You cannot expect this to enhance bilateral relations between the countries. A special line for finger printing Colombians must make them feel like criminals while Europeans simply have their passports stamped. So in a word Brazil's response is entirely understandable. It's a case of what comes around goes around.

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 5, 2004, 09:06:

The beginning of the end. I am glad Brazil has balls. I hope the rest of latin America and hopefully the world follows suit. This is the beginning of the NEW WORLD ORDER. It's on the back of your dollar bills, (novus ordo seclorum),that's latin for new world order (look it up if you don't believe). It's written under the pyramid with the glowing eye on top. Pyramids are signs of the devil as the all seeing eye of light is as well (look it up). The devil is also referred to as the angel of light in case you didn't know. American's live in ignorance and worry about petty things(like money) while the u.s. government steadily makes progress toward it's ultimate goal,NEW WORLD ORDER.
Americans should take a good educated look at what they value most (money, not t.v.) and asks for an explanation from the government why it says new world order(novus ordo seclorum) on the dollar bill. Ignorant fools your driving the rest of the world staright to hell.

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 5, 2004, 09:54:

If you were a bible reader you would know that god is never referred to as teh all seeing eye or angel of light, You sure do like talking about things you have no clue about Tinto. A person like you could obviously argue anything to see it their way. Eres Colombiano? Pregunto porque te gusta hablar mucho de este pais. Yo vengo de Barrancabermeja. Charliechill

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 7, 2004, 09:09:

Estoy en acuerdo contigo, Tinto.

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 7, 2004, 10:24:

the u.s. shits on Colombia It has been years since Colombians have been discriminated in association with the country's drug reputation in the U.S..The U.S. has just used this excuse of bad pointing a country to take power over it...
I hope that one day it becomes One world for all with no fronteers...
and no discrimination ,,until then it seems there's a war..so they shit-spray chimicals on the soil, in the rivers, and even on children... why so much hate ? why so much greed?

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ColombianoX says on Jan 7, 2004, 12:18:

"It has been years since Colombians have been discriminated in association with the country's drug reputation in the U.S.."

And the irony is that it's the US who is the world's leading drug consumer!

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 7, 2004, 13:05:

What a foolish comment. Maybe in the aggregate the US is the largest single consumer but many of the countries of the world have a far worse drug problem than the US. On my trips to Colombia I have been shocked to see the number of people openly using drugs on the street. Check out this site for the facts: http://www.unodc.org/pdf/world_drug_report_2000/report_2001-01-22_1.pdf

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 7, 2004, 13:29:

Rules Good discussion. Please stay within the rules though - no personal attacks. "You sure do like talking about things you have no clue about Tinto" is almost a personal attack, especially because it is signed anonymous (anonymous comments get treated a bit rougher by me). I almost deleted it.

Just to be clear, something like "What a foolish comment." is not a personal attack: it talks about the comment, not about the person.

I do realize the site signs you out everytime you leave and that's annoying - I'm working to get it fixed.

That was all :)

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 7, 2004, 15:43:

your the one that is writin foolish statements. you cant say colombia have worse drug consumer problems, everybody knows to where is going all the drug is produced here so plz dont argue somethin you cant indisputable.

Kamilo

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 7, 2004, 15:44:

sorry for the mistake. anyways you get the idea.....

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 7, 2004, 17:52:

funny must be really retarded, but I like to see stuff like this. Homebaked Security is rather a joke, and, like gun laws, only serve to hinder those who play by the rules.

I know quite a few people who have illegally walked across the Canadian border out towards Calgary way...there is nothing to stop them for endless miles of farm country. Security my ass.

This is like the steel tarriff. If/when other countries pile on, our crazy procedures will be watered down.

I tend to think of Lula as a godsend. He routinely dissappoints the left as well as the right. And he's obviously not as insane as Chavez. If they are going to elect a lefty, he is the best kind of lefty to elect.

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saltygeo says on Jan 8, 2004, 06:17:

What About Americans Rights? ""Unless there is reasonable suspiscion that a Colombian is involved in some highly illegal activity then I believe it is a basic infrigement of human rights.""

Whenever I travel to Colombia I always bring their excellent coffee home with me. I mean a lot - 10 Kilos. I just returned from spending the Christmas holidays there with my wife. She stayed an extra 2 weeks and I returned alone. When I passed through customs they stuck a knife in several of my bags of coffee an touched the knife blade to their tougue. They also continue to vigourously search my suitcases completely. Of course I had nothing to hide - I just like thier coffee and I had some Cristolino scented soap too.

I don't like being searched either and I don't believe there was any ""reasonable suspision"" that I was a drug trafficer. Their problem is drugs. Ours is terrorism. They were just doing their job and I have a mature attitude about that. As a result I don't feel my human rights were infringed upon.

I travel a lot in the EEUU too, and I get seached plenty of times. I especially notice this when I travel with my wife who is still on a Colombian passport and a green card.

""This sort of behavior makes people feel like dirt when they visit.""

I hate standing in line. I hate waiting. And I hate being searched especially when I feel like I might have been discriminated against because of the person I'm travelling with, or my nationality.

HOWEVER, I feel safer knowing that security has been addressed and that the persons responsible for my security are doing their job.

When I hop into that silver tube and assend to 33,000 feet traveling at 500 miles per hour I don't feel like dirt. I feel more safe.

I don't know how anyone in this country can ever forget 9/11/2001 in NYC, but I realize people have short memories. If you had family or friends in the twin towers I don't believe you would forget. I did not have either, but I distinctly recall those images of people leaping to their death as an alternative to burning to death.

That is the day America as we knew it changed.

When I travel to places like Brazil and Colombia (which by the way I have travelled to both many times) you see federal police and the military ever present in the streets and highways sporting automatic weapons over their sholders, or at their sides. At their discretion they have the liberty to pull over your car, or you to search as thouroughly as they wish. Police controlling entry to banks and searching your backpack, or purse before permiting you to enter.

Even after all the times I've travelled to both places I am still amazed by thess images. I'm always thinking, "God this is so different than in the United States".

I beg to differ in opinion.

In my opinion, we have been to liberal in our security measures and it is time we make the necesssary changes to keep our country and our lives safe and free. We must never forget that ALL people visiting our country are exactly that - "VISITORS". In case you're wondering. I also believe it was a mistake to exclude all the European countries from the same requirements for visitor entry.

I recall when I first took my wife to see Arlington National Cemetary and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. She could not believe what she saw in front of her eyes. She told me that we indeed had paid a high price for our freedom in this country. I acknowledged that comment positively, then I explained to her that there were many other national cemetaries all over the United States.

Never forget FREEDOM is not FREE nor should it be compromised for the convienience of VISITORS.

saltygeo

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 8, 2004, 06:55:

Cabroncito Turism in Cuba is booming without americans, why shouldn´t it be so in Brazil?

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ColombianoX says on Jan 8, 2004, 20:46:

JUST SAY NO!!!! To the person who said that my comment about the US being the world's leading drug consumer was foolish, tell me what exactly was so foolish about it? It's a fact whether you like it or not! What do Elvis Presly, John Belushi, River Phoenix, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Irvin, Chris Farley, Whitney Houston, Janis Joplin, Robert Downey Jr., Bobby Brown, Jim Morrison, and Darryl Strawberry have in common? All of these famous north (americans) were or are junkies, some even died because of their nasty habit! Even George Bush was accused of using cocaine and Clinton even admitted to smoking pot (but he says he didn't inhale, so I guess he thinks that makes it okay!) And those are only some of the famous ones, now imagine how many not so famous ones there are! And yet (north) americans have the audacity to associate colombians with drugs?? Excuse me, but talk about the pot calling the kettle black!! You said you saw people using drugs in the streets in Colombia.

Well I certainly remember all those kids who smoked pot in the bathrooms in high school here in the US. I'm sure you rememer them also, well unless you weren't also burning your brain cells with them!

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 8, 2004, 22:39:

just say no Besides, it was the North American demand that created the whole drug business in Colombia. In your eternal *pursuit of happiness* or in the search of stimulants that make you feel good and find new thrills in life your young people roaming in South America found out about the native wealth that just grew there and nobody cared to harvest.
cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 9, 2004, 06:13:

pablo what the hell is wrong with drugs, i love them all. i rather get high than get drunk anytime of the day. thank got for colombia's with out them this world would be one boring, nancy and ronie reagan, frank sinatra dino martin, drunken racist, world!

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Nate says on Jan 9, 2004, 06:19:

I Agree with saltygeo I agree with Saltygeo. People who visit the United States are visitors, by definition. They do not have a fundimental right to visit. If the US requires fingerprinting as a requirement to enter, then if you don't like it you don't have to come. If I desire to VISIT Colombia (or any other country) and Colombia (or any other country) begins to require fingerprinting then I have the same option of not visiting. If other countries begin requiring fingerprinting to enter, it is their right.

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ColombianoX says on Jan 9, 2004, 10:49:

Now don't get me wrong, I also believe that the colombians who are narco traffickers are just as responsible for this whole mess. I wish that every colombian that is caught trying to smuggle drugs would be put before a firing squad! Maybe that would dissuade others from following their footsteps.

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 9, 2004, 11:24:

LatAm Foriegn Policy "We don't take orders from U.S.", Kirchner says. Argentina's Kirchner has an %80 approval rating.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/7655909.htm

-vladimiro

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 9, 2004, 11:28:

''We have stopped being a carpet. We can accept or arrange meetings but nobody orders us, even less punishes us, because we are a country with dignity,'' Kirchner told reporters. He then predicted that when he meets Bush on Tuesday, on the sidelines of a meeting of Latin leaders in the Mexican industrial city of Monterrey, Argentina ``will win by a knockout.''

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 9, 2004, 12:32:

LatAm Foriegn Policy It would take some one with great organizational skills to make a difference, and I am not sure if any of the LatAm leaders are that outstanding(do any have strong academic backgrounds?). So I would agree that it will take more than sloganeering, but I personally like to see these slogans as they counter US slogans. For example, LatAm countries are attacked for having relations with Cuba because its a dictatorship, but the dictatorships of Pakistan,Egypt,Jordan, to name a few depend on billions of US military and CIA "aid" to stay in power (3,3,and 1 billion/year respectively).

-vladimiro

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 9, 2004, 13:44:

LatAm Foriegn Policy Bolivia may have been better off with Lozado. He was said to be a great economist ( I wouldn't know ), though apparently not a very good politician. I saw a documentary where he stated that before him Bolivia was a very poor country with crazy inflation, and now its a very poor country with low inflation.

-vladimiro

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 9, 2004, 15:58:

LatAm Foriegn Policy Another problem with the gas pipeline deal that Lazodo negotiated was that Bolivia would recieve a relatively small fraction of the profits (something like %15, with %75 going to US and Chile). Lazodo said well thats better than nothing, and I don't know, maybe that is the best deal they could have got, but it looks like he was putting the interests of the US above Bolivia's. With his gringo accented spanish, he should have been more attention to these accusations.

Then Lazodo made coca growing illegal, making enemies of a large percentage of his people solely to please the US. He seems to have bet US would keep him in power in return for this, but in the last days of his regime when he was begging the US goverment for millions in aid to bribe his way through the crisis, the US refused and just watched him fall.

-vladimiro

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dijbetts says on Jan 10, 2004, 12:46:

fingerprinting in Colombia so, I'm new to this whole thing, but my two cents: I think Colombia and every other South and Central american country should do the same. Why should we be treated any differently than the rest of the world? I have nothing against any other country and tend to appreciate everyon for their culture, but why do Colombians get treated so poorly when people like Canadians (who are not US citizens) and Europeans, Middle Easterners, Asians, etc. not get treated the same way? I think that, yes, it might give us bad press, but if others follow suit a point will be made and we will have stood upfor ourselves. It's about time we started doing something instead of letting the US walk all over us and treat us like we're less than human.

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TioCharlie says on Jan 10, 2004, 20:21:

We don't take orders - we take money This is a reply to the "we're not a carpet" post...

It is patriotic to say to the Argentine peolple that we make our own decisions, but when its time to pay we DO take American money. Sounds sorta left handed. That is one of the things I like about America; we got ideas and a fat wallet.

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 12, 2004, 11:14:

usa, is their world i'm a colombian living in the usa for many freaking years. i'll get to the point, right now the gringos have the world by the balls, and nobody can do anything about it, nobody. we have to take it and like it. most gringos are like the ones you see on jerry springer "usa! usa! usa! usa!" and those are the ones that will vote bush back in office. forget about the smart gringos from the big usa cities like nyc, la, chicago etc. they don't count. bush will kick anybody's ass that gets in his way and does not agree with him. he might be right but i have my doubts. one thing i would love to see is usa troops after those farc assholes. we don't need farc in colombia. we have a solid middle class that support our soldiers.

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 12, 2004, 11:34:

how submisive and negative thinking I agree that the americans have the world on their fingers but , I do not wan't to see bush reelected and i beleave there can be a change.. iT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE WE CAN NOT LET THE AMERICANS GET RICH OVER THE POOR LABOR REGIME THEY CARRY IT WILL COLAPS AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER... i DON'T THINK WE HAVE TO TAKE IT AS IT IS AND LIKE IT..HAVE YOU GOT ANY RESPECT FOR HUMANITY? aND DO YOU THINK THAT AN ELIGITE PRESIDENT WILL BE REELECTED? wE HOPE NOT...NOT FOR OIL THEY WON'T

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 13, 2004, 07:45:

should colombia also finger print the original question was "should colombia also finger print americans?" unlike other countries very few to non, americans go to colombia as tourist. so as far as we getting back at usa, foggetaboutit. the few americans i see in barranquilla, cartagena are all usa gov working in colombia. i hate to think of my life in colombia if not for my dad bringing us to usa as kids. with my low intelligence i would probably be driving a bus or maybe selling lottery tickets in the streets, i don't think i'm even capable of that. to this country (usa) i'm very grateful, but i wish we had clinton back, he was the man. one thing i do like about bush is that he likes fishing and anyone who likes fishing is ok in my book.

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 13, 2004, 07:45:

should colombia also finger print the original question was "should colombia also finger print americans?" unlike other countries very few to non, americans go to colombia as tourist. so as far as we getting back at usa, foggetaboutit. the few americans i see in barranquilla, cartagena are all usa gov working in colombia. i hate to think of my life in colombia if not for my dad bringing us to usa as kids. with my low intelligence i would probably be driving a bus or maybe selling lottery tickets in the streets, i don't think i'm even capable of that. to this country (usa) i'm very grateful, but i wish we had clinton back, he was the man. one thing i do like about bush is that he likes fishing and anyone who likes fishing is ok in my book.

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 14, 2004, 15:59:

Fingerprint policies The fingerprint plague continues. For more information, see http://www.whyfingerprint.com.

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 15, 2004, 08:26:

US Pilot Arrested In Brazil AN American Airlines pilot was fined nearly $17,000 on accusations he made an obscene gesture when being photographed at the airport as part of entry requirements for US citizens, officials said.

The pilot, Dale Robin Hersh, lifted his middle finger while undergoing the new security process at Sao Paulo's Guarulhos International Airport, said federal prosecutor Matheus Baraldi Magnani. Police accused the pilot of showing contempt to authorities, and escorted him to a nearby federal courthouse for possible formal charges.

On Tuesday, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva asked US President George W Bush to drop the visa requirement for Brazilians entering the United States, while Brazil's Foreign Ministry said the requirement could lead to a souring between the two nations.

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jan 15, 2004, 08:57:

Brazil, pilot, fingerprinting, etc Eventually this will turn out to be much ado about nothing. But there sure are a lot of hot tempers, finger pointing and wounded national pride that make the current news like a daily soap opera installment. First the obscure Brazilian judge makes his questionable fingerprint ruling, then an authority in Rio gets injunctive relief from that ruling to keep the tourists coming in, then the injunction is overruled, and now a pilot gets fined $13,000 for flipping the bird. Maybe the pilot will lose his job too. It sells a lot of newspapers...

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 15, 2004, 12:14:

perhaps northamericans now have the world by its balls but that will change very soon.........the new superpowers(like india,china,and even the europe union) will make, the role of USA in the world, insignificant.

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 16, 2004, 05:09:

India, china, russia, ?????? you've got to be kidding, those are extremely poor third world countries that even colombia laugh at them, and that's bad. usa will rule the world for way after me and my grand kids are dead and pass that. this freaking gringos are going to mars for god sake! they don't know what to do with all their freaking money.

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 16, 2004, 07:41:

los cajones del mundo I wish I had some of that power you ascribe to the U.S. ;-)

I think you're right about the general direction but it will probably be a gradual shift over decades. And I don't think the U.S. becomes "insignificant" unless you assume we stand still or decline while China, India, Russia move ahead.

If the 19th century "belonged" to the U.K. (still quite powerful) and the 20th century to the U.S., I don't think many will be surprised if the last two-thirds or half of the 21st century belong to China/Asia/India.
Regards, Tinto

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 16, 2004, 09:37:

I just have to say how much I enjoy your comments Tinto. They are usually very sensible, thoughtful and intelligent. A welcome relief from much of the nonsense that is posted on the site!

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 16, 2004, 09:45:

me too! Yes tinto, keep on enlightening us here on poorbuthappy instead of barking out there with the dogs:)
Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 16, 2004, 11:51:

john jairo i'm the guy who thinks that usa will continue to rule the world for ever and i tell you why. they have the best mines in the world, this country welcomes anyone, no matter what race as long as they contribute to this nation. i'm a colombian but have lived here for many freaking years. i go to colombia every year and i see the same crap, those with a couple of pesos acting like their crap don't stink with their maids, and they little professional circle of friends and their polo shirts (takes them months to buy one) misstreating blacks, indians or anyone that's not a professionals like them. my freaking cousin is a docotor, he thinks he's crap don't stink. i make more money than that asshole and i barley finished high school (see, check my spelling). the first thing they do when i get there is complaint about the way i dress, that i dress like a bum, but this bum has a american express platinum and dollars in his no brand torn jeans and old sneakers.

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 16, 2004, 13:09:

anyways USA will no longer be the unstopable superpower that is nowadays.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 16, 2004, 14:06:

superpowers I think that in the (not-so-distant) future there will be three centers of power somewhat balanced: USA leading the the third world countries, Asian powerhub including Australia and New Zealand, and the EU that even when impoverished still contributes a great deal both culturally and economically to the rest of the world.
Colombia, Brasil and Argentina together with the rest of LA countries will be in the American sphere of economical influence, protected by trade alliances similar to what we have in Europe now. This will take a bigger man than Bush to make it come true, though.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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SiV says on Jan 17, 2004, 07:55:

John Jairo Nice you´ve broadened your perspective a little, and you´ve got a bit of cash. You want to make a real impression? Spend your money on education and really get ahead. . .

(PS: no condescension implied)

Stultórum númere infinitum est.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jan 18, 2004, 11:22:

good questions
Russia will, of course ally itself with EU, perhaps even as a full-fledged member state, with euro and everything. The Islamic Block is a riddle, which I will not even try to solve. They would, perhaps, stay outside of any political alliances and instead unite themselves against us infieles? Africa will continue to struggle and will not be a major contribuent to world economy or politics for a loong time. With AIDS presently killing off a whole generation in certain countries, the future doesn't look good.
The UK will finally realize that it's part of Europe, it's past glory extinguished forever, but a solid, contributing, economically fairly stable member of the European Union.
(It's nice trying to guess how things are going to turn out inthe future. I'd prefer sovereign nation-states over international banking and multinational conglomerations dictating the policies at any time.)

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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vladimiro says on Jan 18, 2004, 13:27:

I Predict... 2) The former Soviet Republics of Central Asia have oil reserves that rival the Middle-East, but are land-locked and weary of depending on thier old Russian oppressors to get thier oil to market, use Iran's pipelines - the only feasable option - to get it to its persian gulf ports. Through religion, language, culture, and oil pipelines the Turks and the Persians regain the influence in Central Asia that they had lost to Russia in the previous century; the living standards in Central Asia increase rapidly.

The Turks and Persians regain thier historic influence in Arabia, too. The dictatorships of Egypt,Saudi,Jordan, Kuwait, fall to an Islamic Democracy movement. Because the US backed thier former dictatorships, they are resentful and align themselves with Islamist Turkey and Iran. Declaring themselves "Neither East - Nor West" they form a non-aligned block and play the superpowers off eachother. Oil becomes increasingly important as more developing countries become industrialized. Demographics ( something like %70 of Irans population is under 20 years old) force a loosening of Islamic codes; the wine shops of Shiraz are re-opened; literature, science, and art flourish.

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 19, 2004, 16:05:

inmigration I do not understand why is it that complaining Americans are all over this page. Everybody knows they are always on the defensive trying to explain the world how good they are and how bad the rest of the world is. So if you Americans please keep your comments on the positive side or find something better to do with your time.

Poor but snappy

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Marxllw says on Feb 5, 2004, 02:52:

Patents and Intelectual Property The western world, lead by the US, have raped and pillaged the 3rd world for the past century. I guess the 3rd world has an opportunity to get one back.

It's nature balancing the accounts.

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Peter (Moderator) says on Feb 5, 2004, 07:22:

I had my fingerprints taken I came back to the US from Colombia a few weeks ago. I am Belgian, and I was traveling with my Colombian girlfriend. I had heard about the fingerprint taking, and thought it was offensive.

When I came back to the US, I was asked for my fingerprint and a picture. It wasn't offensive. It was very fast, I didn't have to go to any special line. There was no ink, and I didn't feel bad about it. Just my experience :)

Poor but snappy

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z e p h y r says on Feb 6, 2004, 00:12:

it's b.s. In my opinion it IS offensive.

As an American citizen I view being ARBITRARILY fingerprinted as an illegal search of the body. It should require just cause and a warrant, regardless of one's nationality. It's a violation of due process. It is no way to treat visitors to our country. I for one am not willing to sacrifice my freedom for any amount of security. If terrorists wish to attack the United States, fingerprinting is not going to stop them. Let's be real. Every right we relinquish in the name of feeling safe is just another victory for those who would tear down democracy and spit on freedom. What's the point of having a Bill of Rights that isn't worth the paper it's printed on?

"The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home." -James Madison

wake up America...

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dcassa says on Feb 10, 2004, 21:10:

Fingerprints The fact is not all Europeans are exempt, just those nations that are not required to have a visa to enter the U.S.. This excludes all of eastern Europe. The problem is people getting a visa coming to the U.S. and never going back to their own country. It is a big problem here in Florida where I live. The people from Latin America (where everyone ignores the law anyway) is especially motivated by the close proximity to the U.S. and the permenant stae of economic malaise in their own countries.

As for the terrorists all of the Arab men involved in the 9-11 attack were on expired visas and yes now Middle Eastern countries citizens are fingerprinted upon entry to the U.S.

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