Interesting Big Brother Article

[pablo]

http://www.escapeartist.com/OREQ6/Computer_Privacy.html

After reading the above article about our government wanting to look into the personal lives of it's citizens, I couldn't help but think of the implications on men traveling south, especially to Colombia, in search of a life partner.  This along with the proposed limitations that the Washington State senators were trying to get passed nationally regarding American based marriage agencies makes one feel that Big Brother is getting bigger.  

Comments from the board?

Pablo

[Kiltboy1]

... in response to Interesting Big Brother Article, posted by pablo on Oct 30, 2003

I agree.

Colombia is the United States largest trading partner in Latin America. Aside from he old X Ray scam that i have had as well as others , at the Cali airport, i would not worry too much

[Turner]

... in response to Re: Interesting Big Brother Article, posted by Kiltboy1 on Oct 30, 2003

After they XRAY you, what next?
Do they take you back to the airport, leave you at the hospital or take you to your destination in the city?
Also how much does this shakedown usually cost you?

[thundernco]

... in response to Re: XRAY SCAM, posted by Turner on Oct 31, 2003

quite a bit lately; I haven't had that happen to me since the articles came out.  -TNC

[Texman]

... in response to Re: XRAY SCAM, posted by Turner on Oct 31, 2003

This is funny and reminds me of a variation of the X-Ray scam they use to run.  In the early and mid 80's my father use to travel a lot to South and Latin America for his job.  One time when entering Colombia, the custom agents (backed by security of course), informed my Dad that he was missing some of his shots that he needed to enter the country.  Well my Dad knew better and politely stated that he had all of his inoculations and to please check papers again.  Without even looking at the documents, the agent again stated that he was missing some shots and he needed to report to the on-site doctor.  So knowing better then to argue, my Dad followed the procession to the doctors office at the on-site “hospital”.  My dad finds himself standing in line waiting to enter a closed room (oddly enough, there were all gringos and foreigners in the line). When it is his turn, he enters the room and sees a "doctor" in a white lab coat fiddling with an old-fashioned glass tube syringe.  He looks up at my apprehensive father and states, "did you see the man who entered before you?  He did not get a shot".  Instantly the light went on in my Dad's head and he asked, "How much does it cost not to get a shot?" The doctor states "50 bucks".  My dad gladly pays the $50 and walks out of the room as another hapless gringo is entering (luckily, the company my dad worked for provided a generous stipend for situations like this).  So, this is nothing new, just updated for the times.

[Kiltboy1]

... in response to Re: XRAY SCAM, posted by Turner on Oct 31, 2003

They pull you from the airport and take you to a hospital back in cali and xray you. The charge --15 dollars now or free in the afternoon. Well, there are no fligts in the afternoon , so they know they have you. After they finish, they get you back to the airport just in time to make your fight.They have it down to an artform. When they did it to me, there were two colombian dudes at the hospital lauging and pointing at all of us as if we were idiots. Guess what ? At the baggage claim at the miami airport , the stood next to me waiting for there baggage . I told them they were "MALO GENTE'S " and gave them a look that could kill an DIOS CONOCERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: Re: XRAY SCAM, posted by Kiltboy1 on Oct 31, 2003

Since the scam went public and made the newspaper in Cali I haven't heard of it happening in months.  Should it happen I understand the best thing to do is politely refuse (unless the x-ray machine is onsite like in Bogota).  Last I heard they still don't have the money for a machine in Cali.  So what if they inform US immigration of your lack of cooperation - much easier to deal with them in Miami.

[chizz]

... in response to Re: Interesting Big Brother Article, posted by Kiltboy1 on Oct 30, 2003

What is the old x-ray scam? I would like to know since i'm heading there in December. thanks

[Michael B]

... in response to Re: Re: Interesting Big Brother Article, posted by chizz on Oct 30, 2003

[This message has been edited by Michael B]

I've only been there once and it didn't happen to me, but it goes like this: Cops, airport security, soldiers and/or all of them working together cut a couple or three guys out of the heard and say "We got a tip that some guys who look like you are smuggling drugs. We need to make sure you aren't the guys we're looking for. Since you could have swallowed baloons full of stuff, come with us to the hospital for some X-rays"....guess who PAYS the hospital X-ray fees? Did you guess Mr. Gringo? After the money is collected, the cops and crooked doctors and X-ray techs split the take.

[chizz]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Interesting Big Brother Arti..., posted by Michael B on Oct 30, 2003

That is very interesting, I will definately have to be on the look out for that. That is unbelievable. thanks for the info.
Bryan

[CaliAdvisor]

... in response to Interesting Big Brother Article, posted by pablo on Oct 30, 2003

My comment: you sound pretty paranoid to me.

While I agree that the US governemnt is getting more invasive every day, it doesnt mean travel to Colombia is going to be a problem. Do you know how many american multinational have extensive business operations in Colombia? Johnson and Johnson, Chevrolet, rubber, oil, pharmacuticals etc. They have all been down here for years and years and have to send their executives down here reguraly. Colombia is one of our closest alies in the region. I don't think it turns many heads traveling here.

[pablo]

... in response to Re: Interesting Big Brother Article, posted by CaliAdvisor on Oct 30, 2003

[This message has been edited by pablo]

CaliAdvisor,

I'm not a paranoid pablo nor do I think that travel to Colombia will be impeaded, but if you doubt what the escapeartist article said you might want to review this site: http://www.microsuck.com  
Food for thought before a quick blow off.

Were you aware about the legislation in Washington State regarding intro agencies?  I don't think it passed the Senate effecting all marriage agencies but this is an agenda from certain people.  

Read:

http://www.marriageservices.org/washington.shtml
http://www.marriageservices.org/existing.shtml

then tell me if you think I'm simply being paranoid.

Pablo

[Michael B]

... in response to Re: Re: Interesting Big Brother Article, posted by pablo on Oct 30, 2003

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean somebody ISN'T out to get you.

The latest ploy of the 'we'll gladly give up YOUR rights for OUR security' (or perhaps the 'because we're just glutons for power') gang is their 'outrage' over learning about all the money that Mexican's are wiring home to their folks. Some of the right wing talk show guys (both national and local) are up in arms to either tax out of existance and/or outright close the 'unregulated' money changing/wiring houses that are 'helping the illegals STEAL our money'. (Their excuse is 'this money was PROBABLY earned by an illegal, who PROBABLY didn't pay income tax on it, so let's tax it NOW'). No doubt the Western Union lobbist and a few big banks have enough politicos in their pockets for them to stay in business with their high fees and poor service, because 'even though they do send some money overseas, the MAJORITY of their business is within the US', similar to the way the 'big players' such as match.com and their friends got them to carefully word the 'marriage broker' law you cited such that THEY are in compliance because 'the MAJORITY of their business is between US citizens'. Once again, a clear cut case of US laws being written for the convience and profit of the favored few at the expense of the regular Joe (or in this case, regular Jose).

[CaliAdvisor]

... in response to Re: Re: Interesting Big Brother Article, posted by pablo on Oct 30, 2003

I'll check it out, thanks.