Tracy,

I don't like to start this again, but a sort of paranoia is good if you deal with a goverment that set up laws like the patriot act. The laws in the east the has "legetimated" all the supression stuff was very similar, and it was for set up for the same reasons, like protecting the country and it's people from some opponents.

Agnes

>I never thought about that. I visited East Berlin during socialist times on Flag orders so I didn't even consider that. You are probably right!
>
>>Hi Tracy,
>>
>>I remember a thread last year where you wrote that you visit Eastern Berlin in it's socialist times. It seems to be your profile ... ::)
>>
>>Agnes
>>
>>>Please let us know. I'll be interested to find out. I seem to be included in the random searches everytime I fly and believe me, I look like a typical American. My daughter has been stopped as well and she is a very thin, 13 year old, blue eyed blonde. We do always carry a small carryone with us though because I have travelled so many times where my luggage dissappeared and finally showed up a week or two after I returned home. I think they grab a few unlikely suspects and throw them into the mix so as not to appear to be profiling...
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>>That brings up the question: "Is profiling ever acceptable?"
>>>>
>>>>I'm flying today, and my bet is that only the length and the whiteness of my beard may save me from being singled out for "please step aside, sir, we need to do a full search, at random". Oh and the time of the year, wearing just shorts, sandals and shirt also helps. A last name that nobody can pronounce does not.
>>>>
>>>>I may report in a couple of weeks if this thread is still alive by then.