US deports two EU tourists over 'destroy America' tweet

nrj

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WASHINGTON: The United States has an updated rendition for foreign visitors of the expression "Loose Lips Sink Ships" that was used to warn its citizens against unguarded talk during World War II. Apparently, loose quips from tweeting 21st century tourists are as dangerous.

Two European tourists to America found out the hard way that jokes on Twitter is no tittering matter for US security officials. They were detained on arrival at the Los Angeles International airport last week and deported after one of them was said to have tweeted that he was going to "destroy America" during the trip. They insisted that the expression is British slang for partying.

US Homeland Security officials were unimpressed - or unconvinced. After a 12-hour detention during which they said they were interrogated in all seriousness about their mission in America by humorless officers, including questions about another tweet referring to "digging up Marilyn Monroe," they were put on a plane back to England.

The episode, which indicates that the US security establishment is now monitoring social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook in its effort to safeguard American interests, has raised questions about how well security folks understand social media and its patois, and at what point innocuous banter is regarded as a national security threat. There are also concerns about whether overzealous security mandarins are wasting resources by chasing online phantoms.

In one controversial case relating to India, Vikram Buddhi, an Indian doctoral student from Purdue University, has been in prison for more than five years after he allegedly posted messages on the Internet calling on the people of Iraq to resist the American invasion and urging them to kill then President Bush and his vice-president Dick Cheney.

While some have argued that the Buddhi case relates to overzealous prosecution of an online caper, the latest incident, one report said, "appeared to demonstrate a less-than-full understanding of social media by agents." The offending tweet by Irishman Leigh Van Bryan, posted on January 16, read: "@MelissaxWalton free this week for a quick gossip/prep before I go and destroy America?"

Instructive from the flap is a warning to social media schmoozers to refrain from casual talk about security issues. US security agencies have made no secret of the fact that they are developing plans -- and apps -- to scour the Internet for any potential threat to national security. Plans include trolling social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace, looking for profiles and patterns that add up to threats.

US deports two European tourists over 'destroy America' tweet - The Times of India

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This is called real-time internet monitoring ! :nod:
 

W.G.Ewald

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They were detained on arrival at the Los Angeles International airport last week and deported after one of them was said to have tweeted that he was going to "destroy America" during the trip. They insisted that the expression is British slang for partying...The offending tweet by Irishman Leigh Van Bryan, posted on January 16, read: "@MelissaxWalton free this week for a quick gossip/prep before I go and destroy America?"
No real Mick is named Leigh Van Bryan. Good riddance, poofter.
 
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Ray

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The US takes no chances!

No wonder they are still safe!
 

nrj

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And who says internet can not be monitored? :taunt:
 

The Messiah

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And who says internet can not be monitored? :taunt:
Same people who will defend freedom on internet when India does something to monitor.

usa cant even keep illegal latinos out...if they were bordering a terrorist state then they'd have multiple terror strikes. just because they're 2 oceans away they're 90% safe. Rest 10% is there intelligence.
 
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nrj

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Yeah USA citizens also chant about freedom of internet. But US authorities can put a man inside prison for >5yrs since he posted emotional rant on internet promoting assassination of US president.
 

Ray

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Yeah USA citizens also chant about freedom of internet. But US authorities can put a man inside prison for >5yrs since he posted emotional rant on internet promoting assassination of US president.
That is 100% right.

However, their irrationality is keeping the US, known to the terrorists as the Great White Satan, 100% safe!

I presume they believe in the axiom - Better Safe, than Sorry! :)
 

The Messiah

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That is 100% right.

However, their irrationality is keeping the US, known to the terrorists as the Great White Satan, 100% safe!

I presume they believe in the axiom - Better Safe, than Sorry! :)
Quite a few dfi members would also be jailed because there have been death wishes on Indian politicians here.

Do you agree that they should be arrested ? I do not.

They are safe because they are thousands of miles away from centers of terrorism and because majority of there population doesn't share same racial features as terrorists.
 

Ray

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India is India!

That is why we have terrorist attacks and then we wail and go chasing around the countryside without any result!

That too is an interesting way to exist!

It allows space to Digvijay Singh, our great national leader and that man Togadia and his ilk!

Isn't it great fun?

What if a few hundred died?

At least that too must be fun for some!
 
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The Messiah

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India is India!

That is why we have terrorist attacks and then we wail and go chasing around the countryside without any result!

That too is an interesting way to exist!

It allows space to Digvijay Singh, our great national leader and that man Togadia and his ilk!

Isn't it great fun?

What if a few hundred died?

At least that too must be fun for some!
Read about glen beck and tea party....they are on par with digjivay and togadia.
 

Ray

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The US Tea Party is full of idiots!
 

nrj

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At least US is not experiencing terrorist attacks on its soil at alarming frequency even after waging war against entire Jihadi army on this earth. We did not intervene in Astan thinking that keeping our boots away from those soil will ensure some immunity in homeland security. But alas! Hundreds died & hundreds await the day!

US prisons potential suspects exploding their emotions on internet but they at least know what they are dealing with.

Prevention is better than cure. And f it! Investigation to fulfill paperwork after terror attack is no cure, its just panchnaama!
 

parijataka

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I agree with Messiah, US is safe(r) due to its geographical location. It can safely launch wars on 3rd world countries in search of alleged WMD or help establish `democracy` in troubled areas without too much worry about immediate retaliation.
 

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