Reply #2: It gets worse: soon EVERYONE will need DHS clearance to enter or leave...

[JHB]

the country.

http://liberalcandy.blogspot.com/2006/11/us-citizens-to-be-required-clearance-to.html

U.S. citizens to be required ''clearance'' to leave the United States
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If the U.S. government (a.k.a Bush Administration) gets its way, beginning on Jan. 14, 2007, we'll all be on no-fly lists, unless the government gives us permission to leave-or re-enter-the United States. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (HSA) has proposed that all airlines and cruise lines be required to obtain clearance for each passenger they propose taking into or out of the United States.

"This proposed rule implements the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requirement that such information be provided to the government before departure of the aircraft. This proposed rule provides air carriers a choice between transmitting complete manifests no later than 60-minutes prior to departure of the aircraft or transmitting manifest information on passengers as each passenger checks in for the flight, up to but no later than 15 minutes prior to departure."
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When the DHS system comes into effect next January, your U.S. Passport won't matter, if the agency says "no" to a clearance request, or doesn't answer the request at all, you won't be permitted to enter-or leave-the United States. The decision would probably be made without a warrant, and come with many violations to your rights.

Earlier this year, HSA forbade airlines from transporting an 18-year-old a native-born U.S. citizen, back to the United States. The prohibition lasted nearly six months until it was finally lifted a few weeks ago. Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union are two countries in recent history that didn't allow their citizens to travel abroad without permission. Hey, that's neat! What are your thoughts on this?
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And if the Nazi/Soviet allusions seem too harsh, just think of it as "the war on tourism". Just how much more will foreign tourists put up with before the take the States off their itinerary?