Deanimator
Member
That's not respect. It's fawning servility and abdication of ones rights as a citizen.
Disturbing Question
- Thread starter StrutStopper
- Start date
- Status
Deanimator
Member
I don't care on whose behalf they ask. It makes not the slightest difference to me whether it's for the NYSP or the Mizzou Marching Band.
When I'm not armed, it's NOBODY'S business whether I have a concealed carry credential. There is NO innocent explanation for asking.
george burns
Member
I find that it's better not to play around when asked a fairly standard question by a law enforcement officer, in an airport. They have no sense of humor, and some take what they do very seriously. Cracking wise with a low level Federal official is a dumb idea, as they can ruin your day or even worse.
Having once been young and stupid, I made that mistake and spent the better part of a day being interrogated to the point of examining my paper money "several thousand in Hundreds" on a trip to Vegas. Then being told that it was suspicious and possibly counterfeit. It had just been withdrawn from my bank, so of course it was all a crock, but if you want your time wasted, cash impounded and generally made to suffer needlessly and "God knows what else nowadays" it is a good way to go about it.
My advice is just answer the mans questions, be polite and move on. There is a place for everything, and Airports aren't on the list of fun places to be a wise guy. It's no mans land.
Having once been young and stupid, I made that mistake and spent the better part of a day being interrogated to the point of examining my paper money "several thousand in Hundreds" on a trip to Vegas. Then being told that it was suspicious and possibly counterfeit. It had just been withdrawn from my bank, so of course it was all a crock, but if you want your time wasted, cash impounded and generally made to suffer needlessly and "God knows what else nowadays" it is a good way to go about it.
My advice is just answer the mans questions, be polite and move on. There is a place for everything, and Airports aren't on the list of fun places to be a wise guy. It's no mans land.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
Look, I agree with you as to the line of questioning. I agree as to no innocent explanation. All I am saying is like it or not, accept it or not, if you develop an attitude with them or get caught lying to them and be it right or wrong (I agree wrong) they will make going through US Customs a living hell for you. They win and you lose.
I never appreciated the fact that for years The Cleveland Plain Dealer rag published a list of names of those issued Ohio CCW permits. I despise those bastards but we were stuck with it. How did you feel about that? Ever wonder how well safeguarded the list of names addresses and personal information for Ohio CCW License carriers is? How many government agencies have that list? Not a damn thing you or I or anyone else can do about it.
Ron
Deanimator
Member
"Attitude"? What's that, not abdicating ones rights?
I never advocated lying. I have no intention of not doing anything not REQUIRED by law.
Reloadron
Contributing Member
So what it will come down to is by law does one have to answer that question if it is asked? I haven't a clue. I really don't know where the line of permissible questioning ends beyond the obvious that you have mentioned like religion, sexual preference, political affiliations etc. I would have no problem declining to answer a question as long as I was within my rights to do so.
Unfortunately we are seeing a slow but steady erosion of rights in our country under the guise of security and we know how that generally works out.
Ron
Deanimator
Member
The problems are:
- The police often feel no obligation to actually KNOW the law, and sometimes express contempt for it. YOU on the other hand are expected to know EVERY detail of the law to the extent that you do not violate it.
- Pandering to 1. only encourages that behavior, and its escalation.
I hold the police to the same standard.
That inspires in some people an incandescent rage.
Deanimator
Member
How exactly would you do that? By approaching somebody from CPB and demanding that they ask you a question that's none of their business?
Why would I do that?
Seems to me that ALL the "confrontation" is on THEIR side.
I returned yesterday from Canada (Vancouver) flying to the US. The agent asked where we were from - when my wife said "Houston", he immediately said "what part of town do you live in"? I'm sure he was trying to see if we hemmed and hawed.
Willie Sutton
Member
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2013
- Messages
- 2,025
If you want to invite confrontational situations you will find a way to do so. If you want to avoid them, same. One's attitude can also have an itchy trigger finger and is easily/often blamed on others.
This ^^.
Live in the real world, and not a fantasy world, and you'll get along a lot better with life. Your experience in many areas of life can be weighed down by the chip on your shoulder.
Often smiling on the outside while thinking whatever you like on the inside is the path to success. And that's what counts.
Be bamboo... flex with the wind and spring back upright when it passes. There's a difference between lowering yourself out of the wind because you are flexible, knowing you will spring back up when the wind dies down, and laying down and staying down.
Willie
.
This ^^.
Live in the real world, and not a fantasy world, and you'll get along a lot better with life. Your experience in many areas of life can be weighed down by the chip on your shoulder.
Often smiling on the outside while thinking whatever you like on the inside is the path to success. And that's what counts.
Be bamboo... flex with the wind and spring back upright when it passes. There's a difference between lowering yourself out of the wind because you are flexible, knowing you will spring back up when the wind dies down, and laying down and staying down.
Willie
.
Deanimator
Member
In the REAL world, people walk over you... if you LET them.
Willie Sutton
Member
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2013
- Messages
- 2,025
In the real world, you realize that CBP are trying to figure out who's coming into the country saying they are one thing while being another. You know that you're being interviewed, and you *appreciate* it, because while you have nothing to hide, there are *criminals*, *smugglers*, and yes... *terrorists* who are trying to pass thru without being noticed. You make eye contact, answer truthfully, and thank the guy for doing a good job. It's his *job* to unnerve you.. get over it and move on. There's a difference between being a wise man and a wise ass. Decide which one to be.
Willie
.
Willie
.
In my world I don't pick fights with everyone that disagrees with me/annoys me/looks at me funny. Why anyone would choose to make crossing a border more difficult than need be is beyond me. Turning "possibles" and "maybes" into "don't tread on me" moments are what gives the anti gun groups fodder to promote and makes us all look bad.
Deanimator
Member
Kind of like how the IRS fairly and impartially enforces the tax code?
Willie Sutton
Member
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2013
- Messages
- 2,025
^^
A few lessons in logic and debate would stand you well. Study "fallacies in logic" to start. There's no construction of an argument in the above. Not even close.
We complain when CBP let's bad guys in, yet we don't want to proudly answer the truths that show we are citizens? The question about CCW's is one that when answered quickly shows complete understanding of American culture. Foreigners don't even understand the question... And that's why it's asked. It's a cultural awareness test. They don't care if you have one, they just take a guess and ask a question that you'll be able to answer without (literally) blinking an eye (they look for these micro-expressions) while a foreigner would need to think it over before answering. Take off the tin foil hat and move on.
Willie
.
A few lessons in logic and debate would stand you well. Study "fallacies in logic" to start. There's no construction of an argument in the above. Not even close.
We complain when CBP let's bad guys in, yet we don't want to proudly answer the truths that show we are citizens? The question about CCW's is one that when answered quickly shows complete understanding of American culture. Foreigners don't even understand the question... And that's why it's asked. It's a cultural awareness test. They don't care if you have one, they just take a guess and ask a question that you'll be able to answer without (literally) blinking an eye (they look for these micro-expressions) while a foreigner would need to think it over before answering. Take off the tin foil hat and move on.
Willie
.
Deanimator
Member
Actually what gives them "fodder" is you not wholeheartedly endorsing their agenda. Nothing short of that will EVER satisfy them. Certainly abdicating any OTHER rights you have won't.
Deanimator
Member
Assuming that you believe that's the actual purpose... which I don't.
But hey, they could be every bit as much on the up and up as say... the IRS.
Deanimator
Member
Nope, not a "smidgen of corruption". No sirree...
RonC
Member
I travel internationally very regularly and have been for more than 20 years. My goal is to have the least stressful trip with the fewest annoyances possible.
When an agent, either from the USA or the country I am visiting, sees the large number of entry stamps on my passport, I assume that there will be some questions. I answer all honestly and with a smile. The result: I move through quickly and without any undue duress.
Does the agent wish to pat search me? Go right ahead, I have nothing to hide. Do they want to swab my hands for analysis? Sure.
So, with many, many trips out of and back to the country, how many confrontations and search induced delays have I had due to USA customs and border procedures? Zero, nada, zilch. And that suits me just fine.
Oh, I have been "shaken down" for a bribe by airport guards in Accra, Ghana and Abidjan, Ivory Coast, but that had nothing to do with American border and customs people.
Ron
When an agent, either from the USA or the country I am visiting, sees the large number of entry stamps on my passport, I assume that there will be some questions. I answer all honestly and with a smile. The result: I move through quickly and without any undue duress.
Does the agent wish to pat search me? Go right ahead, I have nothing to hide. Do they want to swab my hands for analysis? Sure.
So, with many, many trips out of and back to the country, how many confrontations and search induced delays have I had due to USA customs and border procedures? Zero, nada, zilch. And that suits me just fine.
Oh, I have been "shaken down" for a bribe by airport guards in Accra, Ghana and Abidjan, Ivory Coast, but that had nothing to do with American border and customs people.
Ron
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
- Locked