[LINK] Dept. of Homeland Security weighs forcing passengers to wear stun gun bracelets on airplanes

[Scott Howard]

On Thu, Jul 10, 2008 at 8:04 PM, Rick Welykochy <rick at praxis.com.au> wrote:

> I have to pay over $300 US to attempt to clear my name and get removed
> from the blacklist. The application may not be accepted. This is
> extortion IMHO. I won't be paying and I won't be returning.


It's exactly the same way it works in basically every country in the world.
Presuming your "offense" really was minor then you'll have no problems
obtaining a US Tourist visa.

The SMH wrote me and others up in an article about the crackdown
> back in Aug 2005. Molly Meldrum was refused entry since he had
> a retinue of film crew in tow.


No, Meldrum was refused entry because he failed to follow the US's entry
requirements.

He tried to enter the US using the Visa Waver Program, which has never been
allowed for journalists.  ie, he tried to enter a country where he required
a visa, without having a visa - that's hardly the fault of the US
government.

I entered the US a total of 3 times last month alone, and had no problems at
all.  Of course, I actually went to the effort of getting a visa like I'm
supposed to - why should Molly be treated any differently?

  Scott.