It will now be a crime in America to do things in foreign countries that aren't crimes.

This is precisely the kind of thing I was expecting and also the reason I expatriated a few years ago.
I even threw my passport in the ocean.

If they keep being douchy I'm gonna go all the way and relinquish my citizenship totally.
No one in America ever believes me when I tell them I have more freedoms in this country than I did when I lived in the states.

Even as a second class citizen I can do whatever I wan so long as it's legal. Even the immigration office knows I am not paying my fees to their office.

You know what they told me?

"Just don't do anything that breaks the law and you will be fine." What a riot!

Originally posted by CaptChaos

Expatriate. Like me. I fled to Mexico seven years ago. My friends said I was crazy, especially when I told them it was like Germans leaving Germany in the thirties. Ya, who's crazy now?

Funny you should say that, I was thinking just yesterday the US is the 21st century version of the Nazis.
A war machine with a flag waiving, ignorant, brainwashed, xenophobic nation trying to impose their beliefs on the world.

Of course most Americans will deny it but then all the Germans did the same thing before things got out of hand.

Well done for getting out, my ex gave up US residency and became a UK citizen so youre not the only one getting out.

Originally posted by Flyer

Originally posted by CaptChaos

Expatriate. Like me. I fled to Mexico seven years ago. My friends said I was crazy, especially when I told them it was like Germans leaving Germany in the thirties. Ya, who's crazy now?

Funny you should say that, I was thinking just yesterday the US is the 21st century version of the Nazis.
A war machine with a flag waiving, ignorant, brainwashed, xenophobic nation trying to impose their beliefs on the world.

Of course most Americans will deny it but then all the Germans did the same thing before things got out of hand.

Well done for getting out, my ex gave up US residency and became a UK citizen so youre not the only one getting out.

Unfortunately I am not sure that the UK is much better. They kind of have the same principles just wear different uniforms.

Let me get this straight here. If I plan to go outside the U.S. borders and do something perfectly legal there, but not legal back in the States, that would be a crime? That would be a double standard on the part of the U.S. considering that they can rendition "enemy combatants" to other countries for the purpose of using interrogation techniques illegal in the U.S. If you enjoy certain freedoms in other countries, then go there and don't come back to the States, the land of the free - Not!

Will we all be under a One World Government soon anyway?

People laughed at those who were trying to bring this to people's attention, but maybe this is just the start.

No matter where you go in the world, regardless of the laws of whatever country you are in, you are still subject to U.S Laws. The thing is if this does get passed, then Europe will follow suit or at least the U.K.

People, you need to get out on October 15th. Occupy your City, voice your disapproval of ridiculous Bills such as this, re-claim your Country before it's too late. Good luck my American friends!!

Ever since I left the US I have had a steady state philosophy..............F--- THE U.S....

Don't get me wrong, I am in love with the country and would die for it if I thought it would do any good.
But the last few years have become so utterly absurd that it leaves me feeling physically ill.

I tried to live in peace there, but I was scrutinized over everything. Don't give me that it's a post 9/11 world BS either.
That is a dead horse.
At least here I can go to school without being screened as a terrorist, because as a veteran I wrote a paper on opposing DNA data banks, which kind of turned into a "I'm pissed at the government" rant.

Just leave me alone,...........They wouldn't so, F--- THE U.S. and I took my butt to a better place, and while I miss some aspects of my life there, for the most part I have absolutely no regrets.

Up is Down. Down is Up.

Evil is Good. Good is Evil.

Legal is Illegal. Illegal is Legal.

Welcome to 1984, my Friends. It's been building for awhile, but if laws like this get passed, we shall know we have truly arrived. Scary days, indeed.

The DEA is trying to cover their EPIC failure on the war on drugs by going after prescription medicines and marijuana facilities.

Federal Authorities target Marijuana Industry in California

There have been 40, 000 civilian deaths in Mexico in the past few years, many killed and tortured by drug cartels in Mexico City.

Most of the drugs are routed to the US.

But why focus on real problems when we can harrass physicians and go after medical marijuana dispenseries.

reply to post by snowen20


I would hate to see what would happen if you lived in a country where you actually don't have rights.

If that is all it takes to make you defect, that is pretty sad.

Let me get this straight. If a foreign national , for example, plans to enter the US illegally and then he plans to remain in the US as an illegal alien to take advantage of the opportunity to work and live illegally -- nothing will happen to them?.

If an American goes to another country and plans on doing something that is not a crime in that country..... it's a crime in the US and THAT crime will be enforced and prosecuted?

Hmmmmmm..... there seems to be a rather odd double standard here -- one that actually benefits Non-Americans over American citizens!
plans

reply to post by nixie_nox


That almost sounds like a mild, if not off handed character judgment.
No, that most certainly is not the ONLY reason for it.

There are many reasons for my decision, but among the many the ability to go where I want, when I want without having a government constantly threaten me with "We need to know where you are at all times." BS help to push me over the edge.

Like I said though there are many reasons. Like How they screwed me over a dozen times when I was trying to be a contributing member of the society. I was law abiding and it was meaningless to them.

I served in the military, To show my patriotism,........Again, wasted on them.

There are far too many occurrences to list in a single post and most will trail off into endless and incoherent rantings fueled by my years of frustration.

As far as how I would act in a country that truly isn't free:

If I were born in a country like that I probably would be a sheep. But I am an American, so I would probably be a terrorist because I chose to fight back against the tyranny.
You know, since I love liberty and all.

Originally posted by benevolent tyrant
Let me get this straight. If a foreign national , for example, plans to enter the US illegally and then he plans to remain in the US as an illegal alien to take advantage of the opportunity to work and live illegally -- nothing will happen to them?.

If an American goes to another country and plans on doing something that is not a crime in that country..... it's a crime in the US and THAT crime will be enforced and prosecuted?

Hmmmmmm..... there seems to be a rather odd double standard here -- one that actually benefits Non-Americans over American citizens!
plans

Not just NON Americans, but illegal NON-Americans at that.

Originally posted by Six6Six
You people NEED to get out.

Forget your so called loyalties, you guys are dead men walking in the US.

This law looks like a double edged sword. It will give the US working power to get people (US citizens) in other countries without the need for a warrant.

You will be terminated by your government or locked up. Either way YOU lose. Get the **** out of that toilet NOW!!!

What a lot of people don't know, at least people who have never lived overseas, is that this has always been the law anyway as I understand it. If you do anything overseas as a US citizen that's a violation of laws back in America you can be held accountable. This is really nothing new, the policy is just being strengthened further with this bill.

And yeah, I told everyone back in 2003(and ever since) to make a plan and get the hell of USA and everyone looked at me like I was crazy. Get your passport now and get out before they start implementing exit visas. An exit visa is something you would have to apply for just to leave your own country. I'm surprised they haven't done this yet. It's likely coming soon. That's my guess. I could be wrong.

reply to post by drew1749


Don’t get me wrong, this law does seem flawed I cant see how they could implement it and it also looks like a further erosion of freedom of speech. In saying all that however I do have a problem with the OP’s title.

“It will now be a crime in America to do things in foreign countries that aren't crimes.”

In the Vatican it is legal to marry a 12 year old, I hope that has always been a crime in America. Just saying, that’s all, your title is a little bit to inclusive when i first read it I thought you meant it would become a crime to do things in America that are not crimes in foreign countries. That’s not really what this thread seems to be about, I hope you understand what I am saying.

reply to post by drew1749


So many stupid laws, why cant DC burn to the ground?

reply to post by benrl


Getting ridiculous? What is happening now days is far beyond ridiculous. It is even beyond insane and crazy. I am not sure if there is a word powerful enough to reflect the state of things at this point. I feel like I am in some very badly write moive or something. All of this can not be happening in real life but it is. Is the whole world going insane?

reply to post by drew1749


Just to be clear....the article states that it is now a crime to PLAN to do things in a foreign country that would be illegal here....If you find yourself in Amsterdam on vacation and decide to smoke some pot while you are there, then you could not be charged....at least as long as there is no evidence that you PLANNED the vacation with the intention of smoking pot.

Actually the bill was passed as a response to a coc aine smuggling operation that was planned in America but undertaken elsewhwere......Not that I agree with the law, it is far too easily abused. While the intent was not to criminilize planning a trip to Thailand to go visit their many whore houses (I already used the Amsterdam example...had to come up with another one ) there is nothing stopping someone from being charged for planning such a trip if it can be proven they are going with that intent in mind.

reply to post by FlyingJadeDragon


And go where? The UK is swathed in cctv and in level of police state control that hitler would aprove of. Canada is the UK's lap dog so not much better there. Cross most any European nation off that list as well. The countries are small and crowded. And many people there are not very nice to Americans. Epecially if you dont speak their language with the utmost efficiency and a total lack of accent, plus when things get bad you dont have guns to rely on. I'd rather be here in the US where I have acess to insanely huge forests. familiar land, unpicky people and alot of guns.

what about alternative medicine treatments? are there some in other countries that are beneficial to some that are illegal in the United States?

reply to post by drew1749


You got to be F!ing kidding me! It's time to dismantle Washington DC and career politicians. This country is complete and utter fail. One of my favorite forums I visit is related to MJ, and if one were so incline they could get advice or advise other on how to do all the things possible with MJ. Now I, and the rest of that community are in trouble because some jackass Rep. from Texas named Lamar was so bored he came up with this retarded law!

Yeah, of all the American problems, this bill just had to be passed . It better not make it into law! What about free speech and such? I mean, WTF?! The American Gov't is a shame run by criminals and morons and should no longer be respected!

BTW, what's the name of this particular bill?