Milestones Toward an Authoritarian Government

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A Reminder of where America is heading

A French scientist traveling to attend a conference in Houston was denied entry to the US. They did random checks of his computer and phone, and saw texts to his friends that were critical of Trump cuts to science spending. That was enough to deny entry, seize his personal and professional equipment, and send him home.

Quote from the article referenced, after Microsoft translation:

According to a diplomatic source to AFP, the incident occurred on March 9. This researcher in the space field is said to have undergone a random check on arrival, during which his work computer and personal phone were searched. According to the same source, messages referring to the treatment of scientists by the Trump administration were found. He was accused of messages “that reflect hatred towards Trump and can be qualified as terrorism”. His professional and personal equipment was confiscated and the researcher was sent back to Europe the next day.

So, criticism of Dear Leader is now terrorism?

I probably ought to do an extra scrub my gadgets before traveling abroad in the future, to limit personal stuff on them. Having gadgets searched is always a risk when crossing borders, but…DAMN.