Is this how a person becomes an enemy combatant?

[femmedem]

True story:

A young friend of mine is traveling in Europe. At a nightclub, he leaves his coat in a pile, as is the local custom. When he's ready to leave, he goes back for his coat. It's gone. It contained his passport. Someone has stolen his coat and his passport.

He reports it to the embassy. They grill him. Does he know how much a United States passport fetches on the open market? He does not. $30,000, they tell him. Again, they grill him. For hours. Eventually, they issue him a temporary passport and he is allowed to return to the states. They warn him that he must get a new passport immediately when he returns.

He's a little late getting that new passport. He's young. A vagabond. Not so good at beaurocratic details.

Last week, while he's at home, a black car with tinted windows blocks his driveway. Two people--a man and a woman--knock on his door. They want to talk to him about that passport. How did he lose it again? Could he explain that one more time? Is he aware of how much a U.S. passport fetches on the open market? They're going to need another written statement.

The young man's father returns from running errands. He's mad that these people are blocking the driveway, in his house, questioning his son. His son, my friend, cracks a joke: "It's the FBI, Dad. I'm in big trouble." The suits are not impressed. Not amused. Not FBI, either. They pull out their badges from under their jackets--big badges dangling from long chains.

Their badges say Department of Homeland Security.

For the moment, my friend is okay. For the moment. Although he's not expecting to be able to fly anytime soon.

[proudlibal]

1. Sad but true

Unfortunatly, I think we will be seeing ALOT more of this in the coming weeks, months and years, if we all don't start to take a stand against Bush and his "AGENDA".

[Sad4world]

2. The rebirth

of the SS

This not a joke folk. Be careful of what you wish or vote for.

[indepat]

3. Welcome to post-Republic Amurikkka

[survivor999]

4. I KNOW your friend is young and all...

BUT, when I'm abroad, my passport is with me ALL the time...

[Phrogman]

5. Exactly, with a copy of all visas in a separate location.

Saves a lot of questions and hassle if the original passport is stolen.

[jberryhill]

7. Yep. Just in case someone is reading that doesn't know...

Passports ARE extremely valuable, and you should never let yours out of your possession when you are abroad.

[progressoid]

6. If not an enemy, certainly on a few watch lists and the no-fly list.

[NMMNG]

8. "Do you know how much an American passport fetches on the open market"

I'm sure people are out there selling theirs every day, just so they can enjoy lovely experiences just like this young man's. :sarcasm: