"don't mess with texas..."

[jon louis mann]

I found myself disturbed that I'm attracted to the idea of carrying an 
MP3 recording device at all times, just in case I get stopped by law 
enforcement and want my own recording of the event.
jon

Ray writes:
I felt the same myself the other day when we were stopped by the Border
Patrol near White Sands NM. We were rudely treated and harassed by an
officious officer because we did not have our passports with us. It had
never been mentioned to us that this was "a US Govt requirement". I
"insulted" him by proffering my new South Dakota driving license! "A
note has been made on your record that you have been informed that next
time you are liable to be arrested". Left a real sour taste in the
mouth. This is the first person we have come across in our first four
weeks traveling through the US who has been unfriendly. In general,
people have been fantastically helpful and friendly.

A question just comes to mind. Do US citizens need to carry ID? 

Regards, Ray. (who spent the day in the fabulous Carlsbad Caverns -
fantastic!)

i have never been bothered for my i.d. except when driving, or crossing
borders, but i am not subject to racial profiling.  we have lots more
crime in america. 

i used to be harassed back in my hippy days when crossing borders. 
even my contact lens case was searched in germany.  they couldn't find
any residue on my chillum, so they confiscated it and let me go with a
stern warning.  the border guard from france to switzerland did an anal
search when they found chunks of incense in my backpack.  almost got
busted in spain but we threw all the hash in the fire just before la
guardia civil entered our cave on formentera.  my friend had his
prosthetic arm searched in pakistan, morocco and turkey.  we got high
with the border guards in afghanistan.  no problems in paris as my
chemist pal was the nephew of the police chief. best thing is to not
risk offending local customs...
jon


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