Originally Posted by
747FC
Now for the rest of the story: A friend of mine got placed on the no-fly list. He had nothing to hide, talked to the authorities, and got his redress number. Flies now without any problem. Why? Because he did not make it a problem.
It's the government that made it a problem when they illegally decided to create a secret list of Enemies of the State who would be denied freedom of movement without due process of law.
It's also the government who made it a problem with the case at hand, when they denied a US citizen his rightful entrance to the country, and used its influence to persuade a foreign government to detain an innocent man, also without due process.
You think the man should have cooperated? This man was locked out of his country and imprisoned by a foreign government at the behest of his own government, all without conviction, without trial, without evidence, without legal counsel, all done in secret, by a secret branch of the government that operates out of the public eye, with no oversight and no limits to its powers, and you want him to just "play along" with those people?
Originally Posted by
747FC
It is the approach to life that matters: Go with the flow usually results in fewer problems than swimming upstream. If you don't agree with that process, I have advice for you the next time you are stopped by a cop for a traffic offense: Refuse to talk to the officer, refuse to show ID, and demand a lawyer once you are hauled off to the station. Then you can discuss your constitutional protections in a self-satisfying way with all your like-minded friends. Meanwhile, those who cooperated with their traffic officers are already at their destination with minimal inconvenience, perhaps even without a citation.
I've got news for you - last couple of times I was stopped for a traffic ticket, I did EXACTLY what you suggest - I refused to speak to the officer.
I am required by law to stop for an officer. I always do. I am required by law to present my operating license and vehicle registration on demand when stopped by an officer. I always do. I have a right to remain silent when questioned by an officer. I always do. And that is NOT suspicious behavior, it's prudent behavior, because "anything you say can and will be used against you."
So I say nothing, as is my right. I hand over my license and registration, the cop fills out the citation, I sign it - because signing it merely acknowledges reciept, but does not admit guilt - and the cop drives off.
It's the approach in life that matters. Cooperate with those who screw you, and they will continue to screw you. Refusal to cooperate is the first step toward preventing them from screwing you any more.
FYI - if you're ever on a plane that gets hijacked... don't get in the way of those who fight back and save your life. It would be rude.