This is my first entry to the U.S. with fingerprints recorded. Visa Waiver no longer waives that intimidating Homeland Securty Act measures.
That much I understood a priori. What I didn't know was....
Officer:
You are visiting here for....
Dan:
A conference. OSCON 2005
Officer:
Your company is...
Dan:
I'm self-employed.
Officer:
What kind of conference?
Dan:
Open Source.
Officer:
Open Source? What is that?
How many times have you hosted OSCON, Portland?
Officer:
Do you have any information about the conference with you?
Dan:
Well, I have mails. Nice computer you've got. Can you check web pages with that?
Officer:
Unfortunately, no. Don't you have anything in paper?
Dan:
No. Do you want to check my powerbook?
Officer:
That's fine. I believe you. But next time you visit bring more materials about the conference.
Dan:
Yes, sir.
How fortunate I am not a U.S. Citizen. If I were I couldn't stand the system that checks my fingerprint and portrait without being able to check puny web pages.
Dan the Persona Non Grata
