U.S. to Extend Fingerprinting to Europeans, Japanese

Bloomberg ^ | April 02 2004 | Paul Basken

[knighthawk]

April 2 (Bloomberg) -- Travelers from western European nations and Japan will be added in September to the list of foreign visitors fingerprinted and photographed upon arrival in the U.S., the State Department said.

The extension is designed to address security concerns stemming from a U.S. agreement last month to delay for two years a new passport requirement for visitors from 27 countries, mostly in Europe, who are allowed to enter the U.S. without visas, State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said.

[knighthawk]

Europe-list

If people want on or off this list, please let me know.

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[Alia]

It's actually, IMHO, a very smart move. Keeping track of who leaves a country, and who is entering. Of course we can all quibble over "fingerprints" and fake ones. Allied countries can far better work together with each other. And as I last recall, it doesn't seem that Mr. Fox, Mexico, is quite in support of the US. So before anyone blasts me with their "immigration reform" stuff; think about this first, pls. The agreement on the fingerprinting between allied countries is pretty darned important. What do liberals do? What's their usual: Divide up people and set them against each other.

[cripplecreek]

We can expect two things here.

1. Europe will cry bloody murder.

2. Japan won't.

[fishtank]

Canada?

Mexico?

[Prince Charles]

While we appreciate the rationale for the federal government's action, TIA is nonetheless greatly disappointed and very concerned about potential negative reactions in key inbound tourism markets in western Europe, Japan and other important Visa Waiver countries,'' said William Norman, president of the travel association, whose members include AMR Corp.'s American Airlines and UAL Corp.'s United Airlines, and owners of leading hotel chains such as Cendant Corp. and Host Marriott Corp.

Once again, these very same corporations are putting their greedy self-interest above national security; the last time around this resulted in 9/11.

[freeeee]

Step 1: Fingerprint vistors from other countries.
Step 2: Other countries retaliate and fingerprint Americans.
Step 3: All countries trade fingerprints in some sort of "joint anti-terrorist effort".

Practicle result: Americans are not allowed to travel abroad without their government obtaining a set of their prints.

Step 4: DNA samples from visitors from other countries.
Step 5: See step 2.

The cure is worse than the problem.

[Always Right]

Would it not be easier just to fingerprint and photograph the Muslims.

[edeal]

Or, say, not let them in, until the madness subsides.

[Alia]

I bet that comes about in time. Remember that our allies are of many different ethnicities. And agree with the US on fighting the WOT; and aren't likely to get their panties in a bunch screaming "Profiling!". Which is, in fact, what Dem allies have been threatening to scream (and have actually done so) SINCE 9-11 in re fingerprinting Muslims.

[Alia]

Yep. You got that called. :)

[Alia]

Well, yes, you are right. No doubts the airlines will be flooded by ZEALOUS lawyers on behalf of Clients screaming "profiling!".

[Truth29]

Step 6: Ignore millions of illegal aliens from Canada and Mexico and do not attempt to obtain fingerprints or other valid identifying information.

[Alia]

Yes, in fact, I do agree with you that this "cure" is problematic. I also think it indicates how overlong we've all waited to fight terrorism. I see this as a price. Punishment, some would say. Medusa's long worms have got to be cut off. And we all get to pay the price. And why not. Clinton, the anti-terrorist chieftan, did nothing for 8 long years. Who voted this man into office? Who aided and abetted terrorism through their ill or uninformed or emotionalistic voting?

It's always the innocent to pay the price for the guilty; and now, yes, what you project might in fact come to be. The devil's out in full play, and looking for souls to feast upon.

But, I can also look back upon the history of America -- bad laws can be redressed and halted -- as long as Americans stay on track.

Let's pray history of America one day, can state clearly, that over time, the fingerprinting of all citizens was halted. (Yeah, yeah.. I know about Barbara Jordan and her "eye scan" proposals. ick.)

Consider the reverse of this newer decision to "fingerprint". We do nothing.

What do you propose?

[petercooper]

Would it not be easier just to fingerprint and photograph the Muslims.

Bingo!

[freeeee]

Let's pray history of America one day, can state clearly, that over time, the fingerprinting of all citizens was halted.

Liberty is never given back. You have to take it back.

There are no even theoretical exit strategies for the WoT, because terrorism is a method, and methods cannot be killed. Even our own president has stated it will last at least 40-50 years. Even that is a vast understatement. Your great, great grandchildren will not see the end of this conflict, and neither will theirs.

After even 40-50 years, fingerprinting will be so set in cement that ending it will be as unrealistic as ending the income tax.

What do you propose?

We could have avoided this by developing our own energy sources. Instead we depended on middle-east oil. Our economy depends on it, and with the stability of the economy rests the stability of political power.

To preserve the steady flow of foreign oil, and its resulting prosperity/political power, the middle-east had to be stabiliized. This meant friendly governments had to be installed over the wishes of native populations, propped up by our aid, weapons and military.

This interference has angered foreigners to the point of violence. Since they cannot succeed on the conventional battlefield, they attack soft targets. We have come to call this terrorism.

So what to do now? It's too late, the damage is done. Our dependency on foreign oil, the aggressive foreign policy that accompanied it and the terrorism that resulted from it is akin to a 4 pack a day smoking habit and the cancer that follows.

And the loss of liberty we will surely endure is the chemotherapy for terrorism.

So I have no solution for you. So line up and give your prints, your retina scan, and your DNA. And take your chip when its time.

Me, I'm the guy who chooses to live a few good months instead of a few bad years as I refuse to take my chemotherapy.

[americanbychoice2]

In Germany they have just introduced Iris scanning at Frankfurt Airport.

[traumer]

Tough !

[freeeee]

In Germany they have just introduced Iris scanning at Frankfurt Airport.

For who?