Federal Agents seize travel bloggers computer
Dec 30, 2009, 10:37 pm
#76
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The only reason this got to MSM status was the hard graft of a number of travel writers/professionals raising the stakes and getting this story out to as many contacts as possible.
These links give some good insight into just how much hard work has gone into getting awareness of the story:
https://twitter.com/#search?q=%23tsafail
http://wthashtag.com/Tsafail
These links give some good insight into just how much hard work has gone into getting awareness of the story:
https://twitter.com/#search?q=%23tsafail
http://wthashtag.com/Tsafail
EDIT: And yes, it has been our FT bloggers that have been doing the heavy lifting here. Kudos to them!
Dec 30, 2009, 10:51 pm
#77
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This is yet another new low for a government agency -- and the government itself -- that seemingly could get no lower. As others have said, these tactics resemble those of totalitarian states, not the U.S. in which I grew up. And it's certainly not the "change" that I voted for in November 2008. It's change, all right, but in the wrong direction. I'm appalled.
Bruce
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Dec 30, 2009, 10:57 pm
#78
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I know you've had a horrible couple of days that would never want to have but something doesn't sound correct about this TSA guy. It sounds like he's a Govenment employee yet has a private business that can benefit financially from his action as a Government employee.
I am not sure what info you are reading, but there two agents. I verified who they were both while in my home and again after they left my home. They are very must US Federal Special Agents
Here is some basic info on TSA Special Agents
http://www.tsa.gov/join/benefits/soa...estigator.shtm
Dec 31, 2009, 12:59 am
#79
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I can see from now on I should use other means to get sensitive infos, such that they can never be smart enough to trace 
This is a bad move on their part, it will backfire. Maybe bad for us as citizens as well however.
This is a bad move on their part, it will backfire. Maybe bad for us as citizens as well however.
Dec 31, 2009, 1:22 am
#80
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Ruby Ridge, Waco, Flyertalk - shades of J Edna Hoover once again.
This is so reminiscent of the Steve Jackson RPG raids in the 1990s that it's just not funny.
Not even remotely.
US citizens take note - your tax dollars at work. The founding fathers must be spinning in their graves.
This is so reminiscent of the Steve Jackson RPG raids in the 1990s that it's just not funny.
Not even remotely.
US citizens take note - your tax dollars at work. The founding fathers must be spinning in their graves.
Dec 31, 2009, 4:34 am
#81
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I have to ask why you didn't tell these thugs to go pound sand? Or call real police on them and have them arrested?
Dec 31, 2009, 4:38 am
#82
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I'd love to see some GovCo agency try to trawl through my computer.
"Hey, ... does Kickstart 3.1 mean?????"
Dec 31, 2009, 4:38 am
#83
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Any bets on whether Senator Feingold and/or Leahy would be willing to make an issue of this? Senator Schumer loves the camera more.
Dec 31, 2009, 4:48 am
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Dec 31, 2009, 4:50 am
#85
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The tactics adopted in Communist China by political dissidents there using the internet and other means to peacefully challenge the government's actions and statements are long overdue for use by ordinary persons in the US too.
Dec 31, 2009, 4:57 am
#86
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Unless this is something very new, there is no federal press shield law. Some states have them, but they do not apply to federal courts. In other words, a journalist who asserts journalistic immunity in a federal court will be told by the judge to answer the questions or to be in jail on contempt of court charges until he purges himself of the contempt.
Dec 31, 2009, 5:03 am
#87
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Unless this is something very new, there is no federal press shield law. Some states have them, but they do not apply to federal courts. In other words, a journalist who asserts journalistic immunity in a federal court will be told by the judge to answer the questions or to be in jail on contempt of court charges until he purges himself of the contempt.
Dec 31, 2009, 5:22 am
#88
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..... that's assuming a federal prosecutor and/or court would even try to pursue charges against these two travel writers. I have my doubts that there are that many federal prosecutors who want to make themselves into a laughing stock by taking up a matter only to chalk up a predictable own-goal.
Dec 31, 2009, 5:30 am
#89
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The TSA was not sending out rent-a-cops, nor was I dealing with agents who were wet behind the ears.
2) I was speaking with and am continuing to speak with an attorney. Do not assume otherwise.
i am not going to be discussing specific details of what has happened on certain levels for a variety of reason.
...and I know about the agents because I did some digging around to find out who they were. I didn't ask them their background, but it wasn't that hard to find either.
Dec 31, 2009, 5:41 am
#90
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I realize that this is far too easy for me to say from my safe distance, but I would have told these "special" agents the following: "I would really love to answer all of your questions, but I just can't without my attorney present. Until then, I'm going to execise my constitutional right to remain silent. Is that OK with you?" What can they say to that? Arrest you? Fine. Some things are worth it. I was once arrested for failing to obey an unlawful order. When my court date arrived, the judge expunged the arrest record.
Bruce
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