Her Majestys Customs. Again!

[magoo]

Just got a parcel which had the "opened for customs inspection" sticker on it. Its the first time I have had anything opened. And it doesnt bother me except for them not bothering to rewind the tapes after watching them.

This order was from a small company in the US and whoever addressed my parcel had the handwriting ability of a ten year old. I suspect this childish writing is what prompted C&E to have a look at the tapes.

Now heres the difficult question which can probably only be answered by someone who has contacts in C&E. If you have a porn/horror video inspected and allowed through do C&E put you on a database so they can keep an eye open for stuff adressed to you in future? As I say it doesnt worry me as I never import anything dodgy but I recently ordered a bunch of 70`s horror films which do not have BBFC certs and would be highly pissed off it they get thieved by the men in black.

[Lizard]

Magoo, I can put your mind at rest on that one,I have a good friend who works for C/E, both at Mcr,and Hth,ow, and the answer is NO, unless this item was retained by them, or it was
Illegal, as in "peado" it,s your property.

Lizard.........slurp

[Officer Dibble]

Interesting question Magoo. I don't have any contacts in C & E ? not my type of people - but if I were running C & E I would definitely collect as much info on the citizens as possible. Knowledge is power and if the State wanted to fuck you up big time in the future it would be very useful to know as much about you as possible. Particularly any tastes or appetites that are on the borders of social acceptability. This kind of info would be excellent for smearing you and whipping the mob up against you, should you at some point prove to be a thorn in the side of the State or big business.

Having your stuff nicked by the men in black is the least of anyone's problems. Being ruined, deprived of your liberty and even worse at the behest of some unpleasant little state bureaucrat are problems of a far greater magnitude and it amazes me how people can be so complacent. Haven't you read Orwell's '1984'? Don?t think that it couldn't happen here 'cause it already is. Every week the State takes new powers to spy on you and dole out summary justice on the pretext of foiling terrorists, drug dealers and that incredibly useful whipping boy, the paedophile. Now that they've disarmed you (what a terribly useful chap that Dunblane geezer was) and now that they can spy on you and shut down your financial life (credit cards, bank account) at will they've got you just were they want you. Now, if they like - and I'm sure some would - they could tell you that you can't drive that car, to that place, you can't do that job, you can?t watch that film, or visit that website because they're all 'inappropriate' But you must do this and you must do that. So, run along and be a good politically correct chap and do as your told like the rest off the sheep.

Officer Dibble - he's seen the writing on the wall

[TheProf]

Magoo,Sir,
The answer to your question is YES,you will be placed onto a database.I think our dear friend,Officer Dibble,above,has layed the facts out correctly...take heed!

But,I should'nt have sleepless nights about it,though!

Im speaking with experience of the workings of our 'protectors'-and I've mentioned this in the long past,don't ruffle the feathers of the chicken,he has a nasty peck...

Amen,
TheProf.

[David J]

I have ordered about 20 tapes by mail order from the US (Excalibur, Jaded, and Gamelink) over the past 18 months, and only one of them had the 'opened and resealed' sticker on it. I wondered when I got this if they would be opened regularly from then on (for the reasons you suggest), but none of them have been. So unless your stuff is very freaky I wouldn't worry!

[Chrispornstar]

To all concerned,
Officer Dibble is spot-on, and though I'm maybe wandering into o/t, I recommend 2 websites to those of you concerned with your withering privacy - www.stuartgoldsmith.com and www.medina.co.uk. They're both run by the same person, get your hands on Stuarts book "Privacy", it's an essentail read. And remember, folks, forewarned is forearmed, and we should all be watching our backs. No matter what the "law" states about porn, most of here will probably be on several databases highlighting our "interest" in that subject. Not a problem at the moment, but goalposts do get moved and Big Brother is watching us all....

[Ben Dover]

You are absolutely spot on Dibble. You will definately be put on a database, it won't be a problem because they won't really know what to do with it. Yet! People in power are, almost by definition, obsessed with collecting information on the great unwashed. Always have been, always will be, and as you say the drug dealers, terrorists, paedophiles and town centre louts have given them carte blanche to basically do what the fuck they want. And they are!!

[TheProf]

My real serious worry about all this is-if our pictures are on file as well (shortly will be)have they captured our BEST side.

Remember,the late great Actress (or now 'actor')MARLENE DIETRICH alway's employed her own lighting cameraman on every movie...

Our 'protectors'will be possibly snapping us with Government issued cameras,mark V,for the use of (sand blasted lens)and getting our worse side.

Does that come under 'Defamation of Character' by the State.

"But officer,I was only looking at a film by Ben Dover"

I rest my case,
TheProf.

[The Connoisseur]

It is not the drug dealers, terrorists, paedophiles, and town centre louts who have given the government carte blanche. It is the public who have swallowed the government's / media propaganda that these individuals represent a genuine threat to society.

[buttsie]

Given the happenings in the US of A it would be brave politician too stand against the tide of emotion and fear.

Remember the politicians two aims in life

get elected & get relected-nothing else matters


cheers
B...OZ Cynical