Your life is an open book

By Capt. Fogg

British travelers to the U.S. will soon have another American style indignity to suffer; something I doubt that U.S. citizens would tolerate from a foreign government. According to The Telegraph, their credit card records can be inspected and their e-mails read if they purchase airline tickets to the U.S. Information released under the Freedom of Information Act reveals that even a traveler’s special food choices will be revealed which can be a clue as to their religious background.

A British Department for Transport spokesman is quoted as saying: "Every airline is obliged to conform with these rules if they wish to continue flying.”

That the European Union has acquiesced in this is astonishing, that the Bush government wants to know everything about everyone is not. When Ronald Reagan told us that “I’m from the government and I’m here to help” was a scary thing to hear, America agreed. Perhaps that’s why we seldom hear anything when the government of George W. Bush shows up, proctoscope and magnifying glass in hand.