Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Cynthetiq
Note: in Singapore you cannot bring in chewing gum, even cigarette cessation program gum. They look for chewing gum as part of their contraband search in customs. This is in the early 90s and the ban on chewing gum is still in effect today.
|
Actually, that's not true anymore...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3512498.stm
Quote:
Singapore is preparing to partially lift its famous ban on chewing gum - in order to comply with a free trade agreement with the United States.
But only gum aimed at helping smokers to quit will be allowed when the new rules come into effect on Thursday.
The government will allow the sale of Nicorette, a nicotine gum, because the agreement with the US says "therapeutic" brands should be allowed.
Singapore banned chewing gum in 1992 because of a litter problem.
The pristine city-state, did not like gum sticking to its pavements, but the rules have been relaxed as part of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which came into effect at the start of this year.
|
Regardless, this is the law of a different country. Can anyone show evidence that Customs checkpoints are not within the US? I believe they are. Generally a US Customs checkpoint (say on the Detroit or Port Huron side in Michigan from Canada) is certainly on US soil. Is the Customs checkpoint at JFK somehow not on US soil? It is inside of the airport, surrounded by US soil. I don't understand exactly...
As for the data contents of your laptop, where are the limiting factors? Are there any? For US citizens, on US soil, you should be protected from unlawful search and seizure, regardless of "special" laws for Border agents. If there is SUSPICION of unlawful activity, then perhaps you are now a legal target for search. Random searches are bullshit, and are a big stumbling block for the TSA. We'll see how long all this really lasts once the current administration is pushed out. It's gonna be ugly for another 8-10 years, but things are either going to get "fixed" and be better, or things are going to get very, very bad!