bitter-girl :: musings

But vy vould dschu vant to leaf the Vaterland? That is crazy talk! Ve are so happy here in ze People’s Democratic Republic of Jesus-stan!

Check it out here and here:

The Department of Homeland Security has proposed that airlines and cruise ships be required to get individual permission (”clearance”) from the DHS for each individual passenger on all flights to, from, or via the U.S. Unless the answer is “Yes” — if the answer is “no” or “maybe”, or if the DHS doesn’t answer at all — the airline wouldn’t be allowed to give you a boarding pass, or let you or your luggage on the plane or ship.

I think one of the commenters on The Practical Nomad has it right: “My feeling is that it will be used to prohibit people from leaving the U.S. when the draft comes.”

Gee, ya think?

Not only that, the decision would be made without a warrant or probable cause, and without the possibility of appeal.

Can I scream now, please? As someone who’s lived and traveled extensively in the formerly-communist (or should I say “forced to be communist” — Prague Spring, anyone?) countries of Central Europe, this raises my hackles something fierce. The only difference between this new power grab and 13 August 1961 is that we heard about it in advance.

Republikflucht time, people. Doch. I wonder if the Canadians will ransom us over the new Wall, as the West Germans did for so many years. Canadian friends, start saving your loonies and toonies!

(I wonder if Amy will give me a job at make one…)