The Dangers of Twitter

[Just18]

OK, at least some of us would agree entirely that reasonable or rational action on behalf of the 'authorities' was noticeable by its absence.
The consequences of that are serious for any traveller ....  particularly someone who has booked flights and accommodation for holidays, only to get turned around and sent back to France (not UK).
I have no idea if they had to pay to get back to the UK from France or not.

Given what has happened, and there being no indication that the 'authorities' think they made a mistake or did anything wrong, it seems likely this could happen again in the future .....  maybe to many people.

As it is also unreasonable to expect anyone to post using different language than normal, when conversing with friends, it seems there is only one way out .......  advise everybody to NOT EVER travel to the USA.

When written down, that seems like a drastic reaction .....  even over-reaction.

Yet it is no more drastic that the events which took place .......  with no recourse to compensation for the travellers.

For instance, I have no doubt expressed strong opinions on some events both in email and IM.
Those opinions could quite easily be interpreted - out of context - in whatever way the 'authorities' wish (apparently).
I also have no doubt that such communications of mine are being 'vetted' and because of words used, 'flagged'.
So, I reckon it would be ill-advised for me to attempt to travel to the USA at any time in the future.

I feel certain there are millions in a similar situation.

Of course if SOPA had been passed all that terrorist nonsense would have stopped, as the likes of Twitter could be closed because of that post.   

[parnote]

Beam me up, Scotty. There's no intelligent life here.

+1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kenboldt]

Additionally, it is is it reasonable or rational for the authorities to assume that because he quoted an American television show (Family Guy) that he actually intends on digging up the grave of Marilyn Monroe.

It was Department of Homeland Security that set up the false Twitter accounts, monitored the conversations and tracked Leigh Van Bryan, the British "terrorist". It gets even weirder. Marilyn Monroe's body is encased in a stone crypt in Los Angeles. DHS "intelligence" could not ascertain Marilyn Monroe's burial details? Leigh is going to dig her up from a stone crypt?

Beam me up, Scotty. There's no intelligent life here.

I just noticed the corrected typo in my post above.  I hope the correction makes my position clear and that it wasn't misunderstood by anyone.

[Abraxas]

Abraxas said:

I also feel the U.S. are very, very sensitive about security on air flights, and rightly so.

djohnston said:

Rightly so? Do some research on the TSA, if you wish. You will find their "security" is an almost total farce.

Could you kindly walk me through that djohnston ? I do mean 'kindly'  

* What is TSA ? I have no idea what it refers to ?
I have the notion that U.S. air travel is fairly heavily monitored by security checks ? Due to what happened on september 11th, is what I reference to, but I'm no expert here about U.S. political sensitivities on Air planes. I may have completely missed some othere event in the U.S. that has sparked this security scare ?

Really once you start thinking why did these guy's get 'punished' by tweating; a whole host of reasons don't come to light for me.
 
I am not a U.S. citizen, I am an Australian, I don't tweet, I don't fly to the U.S. ...
I have heard of people getting sacked by their boss for tweeting something unpleasant about the Company they work for, or a topic concerning their work.
However, not anything like what has been discussed here.
Why did the tweets in question here get them thrown out of the U.S. ?

1.)Besides their language usage. I get that.
2.) I thought that was why the guys got into trouble from their tweets; as they alluded to causing a bit of trouble once in the U.S.
3.) What about me writing: "I also feel the U.S. are very, very sensitive about security on air flights, and rightly so." set off alarm bells for you ?
 
I was replying in that post in reference to events of 911 causing an elevation of security in flights to the U.S., or I sensed that to be the root of why the men tweeting were not viewed favourably by the U.S. security active in this case ?

Thankyou djohnston, sometimes these discussions get so heated and broad, I lose the main point.
Could other's please note I asked djohnston a question, that would be greatly appreciated as his comment was to me, which is why I made this post.

[djohnston]

* What is TSA ? I have no idea what it refers to ?

TSA = Transportation Safety Administration. It is the U.S. government agency responsible for airport safety and security checks. It is under the Department of Homeland Safety. The TSA now wants to bring its circus act to every bus and train station, public highway, sports and entertainment venue, (such as concerts), shopping mall and high school prom. (Yes, you read that correctly.) This could easily become too political for this forum. Instead, I will simply provide you with links that very well illustrate the point I am making. Start here for one of the most telling ones. Many more are categorically grouped in the two links below.

Link 1
Link 2

[Abraxas]

Thankyou for those links djohnston.