WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. officials can open personal mail arriving from abroad as part of the fight against terrorism, and do so when they deem it necessary to protect the country, a Customs and Border Protection spokeswoman said on Monday. News of the little-known practise follows revelations that the government approved eavesdropping on U.S. citizens without judicial oversight after the September 11 attacks, which sparked concern from civil liberties advocates and some lawmakers who called for congressional hearings. "Customs and Border Protection is charged with making sure that terrorists and terrorists' weapons don't enter the country," said Suzanne Trevino, a spokeswoman for the customs agency, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. "One of our areas of responsibility is to inspect international mail coming into our country," she said. "We respect privacy and always keep that at the forefront, but at the same time we need to make sure we do our job in keeping U.S. citizens safe." Customs and Border Protection's web site notes that "all mail originating outside United States Customs territory that is to be delivered inside U.S. Customs territory is subject to Customs examination." They can listen to your calls, read your mail, and they control the internet. What else is this government going to do? Rubber-duck tax?! OH-NO! Not that! Besides my tin-foil hat, it's the only thing that helps keep them out of my mind! My rubber duckies!
oh yes, they hav to open your personal letters, play wih that brand new PS3 that got sent to you from your rich uncle, They can just X-Ray stuff and use sniffer dogs can they. I say that is too far. No such problems in New Zealand though, cept the tax's
As can, I'll bet money, officials in any other country (including New Zealand). I don't see why they need to use the terrorism excuse, looking for contraband (including any candles containing lead or that badger-hair shaving brush sent over for Xmas) would be a perfectly normal reason. It's no different to having your suitcase searched at Customs. Getting your drugs mail-order isn't going to work.
They were approving it before the attacks, too. It's the ECHELON program, which has been running since the days of President Carter. Carter approved it, Bush senior approved it, Bill Clinton approved it... It's nothing new.
The US has been doing these things for years... i know this is going to sound rather bad to those across the pond, but the 9/11 attacks were a god send to this administration. want to do something that is against civil liberties? cite 9/11
Yeah, that's pretty much the case. Position unpopular? No problem! Blame it on 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina.
