Tips for Terrorists

Note to terrorists looking to slink by security screeners undetected: Pack a Ron Kessler book. Wired explains:

International travelers concerned about being labeled a terrorist or drug runner by secret Homeland Security algorithms may want to be careful what books they read on the plane. Newly revealed records show the government is storing such information for years.

Privacy advocates obtained database records showing that the government routinely records the race of people pulled aside for extra screening as they enter the country, along with cursory answers given to U.S. border inspectors about their purpose in traveling. In one case, the records note Electronic Frontier Foundation co-founder John Gilmore's choice of reading material, and worry over the number of small flashlights he'd packed for the trip.

Whole article here.

In 2005, Bob Poole and Jim Harper debated the balance between privacy and safety in a post-9/11 aviation industry.

Update: I neglected to mention that EFF's John Gilmore was reason's August 2003 coverboy. Brian Doherty's story on Gilmore v. Ashcroft here.

Comments

Minion of URKOBOLD | September 20, 2007, 12:51pm | #

URKOBOLD'S TIPS FOR TERRORISTS

1) GO TO SOME SECLUDED PLACE WHERE NOBODY ELSE IS AROUND
2) APPLY CRISCO GENEROUSLY TO TAINT AND BUTTOCKS
3) PULL PIN FROM GRENADE
4) SUCKER! THERE AREN'T ANY VIRGINS WAITING FOR YOU, YOU TOOL! WHAT A FREAKIN DOOFUS!!
5) REALIZE THAT WE'LL BE LAUGHING AT YOUR SORRY CORPSE. YOU LOST BUT AWIK DUNEROOOOOO WILL BE THERE TO MAKE SWEET, SWEET LOVE TO THE GREASY STAIN THAT WAS ONCE YOUR WORM-RIDDEN FLEA BAG BODY.

sage | September 20, 2007, 12:56pm | #

Wow, that's disturbing.

Anyway, I brought The Art of War on my last trip, and the flight attendant did a double-take. I thought that was funny.

sage | September 20, 2007, 12:56pm | #

And by disturbing, I was referring to "minion's" post. Specifically step 2.

VM | September 20, 2007, 12:58pm | #

Danke. Vee aim to please.

were I to write what the voices in my head were trying to get me to write about punishing terrorists, that would make even the LGF people squeamish and uncomfortable!

Indoctrinate U | September 20, 2007, 1:01pm | #

Click the link below for info on awesome movie.

Indoctrinate U | September 20, 2007, 1:02pm | #

I mean click my "name" link above. Please spread the word...

Minion of URKOBOLD | September 20, 2007, 1:07pm | #

NO. YOU CLICK ON YOUR NAME. DOUBLE DARE YOU.

HA! GOTCHA!

Mike Laursen | September 20, 2007, 1:16pm | #

Pretty soon some genius, maybe Alberto Gonzales replacement, is going to argue that "freedom of the press" in no way implies freedom to read.

thoreau | September 20, 2007, 1:28pm | #

I suggest a Koran and a copy of the NRA magazine.

And a bunch of small flashlights.

Brandybuck | September 20, 2007, 1:35pm | #

I always bring long my issues of Reason. I suppose that marks me as a terrorist.

J sub D | September 20, 2007, 1:52pm | #

And by disturbing, I was referring to "minion's" post. Specifically step 2.

Nah, the "New Crisco" has no trans fats. He's OK there.

BakedPenguin | September 20, 2007, 1:56pm | #

Maybe The Anarchist's Cookbook or perhaps Anton LaVey's Satanic Bible. Of course, if you're reading the latter, they'll know you're not Muslim.

Andy | September 20, 2007, 2:04pm | #

Speaking of tips for terrorists and movies, here's a tip for terrorists - don't bring a bong on board a plane:

HK2

J sub D | September 20, 2007, 2:08pm | #

Harold and Kumar 2. I publicly weep (and secretly cheer) for my country.

BrianTerrel | September 20, 2007, 3:39pm | #

I met John Gilmore once at a drug war debate that was hosted at my school.

He did have a ton of tiny flashlights...

I've flown before reading Anarchy State and Utopia (which produced an excited Reason magazine waving from another passanger who saw me reading it) so I wonder what list I'm on now.

Alice Bowie | September 20, 2007, 3:45pm | #

If u wanna avoid being profiled...fly back from Amsterdam or Jamaica into any US airport with the following:

1. Wearing a Keep Dope Alive t-shirt
2. A copy of the Koran
3. A copy of the Anarchist Cookbook
4. A box of Phillies
5. The Latest High Times Magazine

GILMORE | September 20, 2007, 3:48pm | #

I am still waiting for THAT John Gilmore's apology for how he so fucked my ability to fly domestically sans severe hassles. Cant use e-tickets, extra 10-30 minutes on check-in while they 'clear' me from the watch list, then risk of overreaction by security... last week i got pulled from the plane by security and gilled by airport cops for 'why i was using an Ipod while the plane was taxiing'. It WAS september 11th, but they flight attendant had mentioned my seat was flagged before we even took off, and they were jumpy watching me on the whole ride.

Fuck. The. TSA

Lamar | September 20, 2007, 4:16pm | #

Anarchist Cookbook (a well-thumbed photocopy, of course, keep your original at your secret hideout); Religious text in any foreign, squiggly character language; Bizarre newspaper scrapbook of Maria Bartiromo; and a syringe full of fluff.

Mo | September 20, 2007, 4:42pm | #

As much as I hate to defend the TSA, I think they record the race of those pulled aside so they can point to the numbers afterwards and say, "See, we're not racially profiling people."

Though, it'll be hard for them to prove when tey do this, seeing as Arabs are considered "Caucasian" under racial groups. BTW, this sucks, since Arabs get all the downsides of being white, without any of the upside.

Paul | September 20, 2007, 4:44pm | #

Foundation co-founder John Gilmore's choice of reading material, and worry over the number of small flashlights he'd packed for the trip.

Keerist. I hope these guys never see what I pack when I go kayaking... in bays where military ships may or may not be present.

Paul | September 20, 2007, 4:48pm | #

Anyway, I brought The Art of War on my last trip, and the flight attendant did a double-take. I thought that was funny.

You another one of those "killer MBA's", sage?

I shouldn't laugh, you probably make more than I do.

Paul | September 20, 2007, 4:52pm | #

reading Anarchy State and Utopia (which produced an excited Reason magazine waving from another passanger who saw me reading it) so I wonder what list I'm on now.

Nick Gillespie's.

I'm here all week.

sage | September 20, 2007, 7:54pm | #

Paul,

Sadly, no. I only have an AS. I guess I do OK, but I live in the Seattle area, where COL makes it sometimes feel like I'm a min wager.