DHS Now Pre-Censoring DVDs Brought in Over U.S. Borders?

[snot]

From https://plus.google.com/104925781657226108947/posts/hDJy8L9Z9Lj :

I ordered some video-editing software from Hitfilm in the UK which also comes with some instructional videos. So a few days later I get a call from FedEx saying that the DVDs were being held at U.S. Customs until I filled out a Video Declaration Form, which she said was now standard practice. Now, I'd never heard of this before, so I called back to ensure that this was indeed FedEx and not someone phishing for information. Had them email me the form.

This is what the form said: "I/we declare the the films/videos contain no obscene or immoral matter, nor any matter advocating or urging treason or insurrection against the United States, nor any threat to take the life of or inflict bodily harm upon any person in the United States."

{The fellow called FedEx to ask what this was all about . . . }

Apparently -- and this is only her understanding of the situation -- this is a new thing being done by Customs and Homeland Security with FedEx, UPS, and other carriers to make sure that films and videos with ideas or stories that were at odds with the United States Government didn't get into the country, as it was a form of terrorism (as further elaborated upon in the third and final clause.) She added that some DVDs showing Occupy events in London and elsewhere had gotten bounced . . . .

(Emphasis supplied; more at the link.) This was sent to me by an acquaintance of an acquaintance; but if true, I find it highly objectionable.

[Newsjock]

1. Exact same letter was discussed on DU in January 2012

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002205186

30 recs and 24 replies.

[snot]

3. Ah, thanks. Here's a more informative link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002200339 .

According to the evidence in the latter thread, the story is true, notwithstanding the attacks in the thread you referred to.

I think the facts bear repeating.

[RC]

2. Another brick in the Police State Wall, separating us from our freedom.

What will it take to get us in the streets, with our pitch forks and torches?

[blkmusclmachine]

9. But, but, but ... 9/11!

[dipsydoodle]

15. Yes

[DJ13]

4. Are we being kept safe?

Or kept prisoners?

[blkmusclmachine]

10. Welcome to the New Normal. Enjoy your stay.

[Skip Intro]

5. Our government seems repulsed by the idea of individual

freedom and liberty, the very things enshrined in the Constitution they are sworn to protect and defend.

The government is orchestrating what ideas we, the people, are exposed to.

Wtf?!

Scary stuff. Happening now, evidently.

Wow.

They do this in the context of secret surveillance of the populace, tapping phone lines of the press, a push to ban guns, etc.

Yeah, I think it might all fit together. Somebody really going to call me crazy for thinking that in this thread, about government seizing control of what ideas we are allowed to be exposed to?

[blkmusclmachine]

11. 1984, bay-bee

[arcane1]

6. I bet they look for videos of factory farms too n/t

[merrily]

7. Seems we need to hire a lawyer to pick up our mail while being sure we are

not commiting perjury. I know that certain things are illegal for me to do. I did not realize that reading my mail--or reading anything--was one of them

Edited radically because I missed Reply #3 initially.

[blkmusclmachine]

12. The Post Office scans the addresses on all your snail mail and inputs that data into storage.

There's NOTHING that they're not going after.

Thanks, 9/11 ...

[merrily]

13. Yes, I know. And I have read on message boards that they may do even more than that.

But, I do not attribute that solely to 911. From Hoover on--maybe before--government has surveilled us as much as its technology at the time would allow it to do--and usually because they feared the left. 911 and terrorism in general, however, has given them a popularly accepted excuse, though.

Actually, more than anything else, I resent the cameras and sound equipment placed every few blocks in my neighborhood. I did not realize until recently that my conversations on the street are stored.

None of this is protect us from harm, but to help them get convictions after the fact. If I am killed, I think I would rather they try to convict my killer by old fashioned means than to have all my communications and movements surveilled. Not that what I do would perk the interest of anyone. It's just that I believe that the constitution should mean something, as should an oath to defend and protect the constitution.

[blkmusclmachine]

8. "Just another brick in the wall...."

[davidpdx]

14. Funny thing is I went through customs and had a pirated version of a movie

They ended up doing a full check and saw it and did nothing. Weird as hell.

[woo me with science]

16. These are the actions of a police state.

Again.

[dipsydoodle]

17. This and a few other bits are more or less what those entering the USA agree to :

"I/we declare the the films/videos contain no obscene or immoral matter, nor any matter advocating or urging treason or insurrection against the United States, nor any threat to take the life of or inflict bodily harm upon any person in the United States."

Other bits include stating you've never kidnapped a child from the USA etc.

[RC]

18. All that you listed are reserved for our government against others.

Not of the free citizens contained within or without.

[dipsydoodle]

19. I am an "other"

You don't that shit flying Cuba.

[winstars]

20. What is a DVD??? (snark)

They are always "fighting the last war"...

It's so stupid, there are so many other ways to send films and video from one country to the next. I suppose they check the VHS tapes too!!! Waste of time and an affront to our rights...