No more public waters in USA?

Sorry for the cut & paste.

Go here for the whole story:
>
> http://www.wakeupfromyourslumber.com/node/64
>
>
> Now: US Citizens to be Required ''Clearance'' to Leave USA
> International Politics October 26, 2006 Forget no-fly lists.
>
> If Uncle Sam gets its way, beginning on Jan. 14, 2007, we'll all be on
> no-fly lists, unless the government gives us permission to leave-or
> re-enter-the United States.
>
> The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (HSA) has proposed that all
> airlines, cruise lines-even fishing boats-be required to obtain
> clearance for each passenger they propose taking into or out of the
> United States.
>
> It doesn't matter if you have a U.S. Passport - a "travel document"
> that now, absent a court order to the contrary, gives you a virtually
> unqualified right to enter or leave the United States, any time you want.
>
> When the DHS system comes into effect next January, if the agency says
> "no" to a clearance request, or doesn't answer the request at all, you
> won't be permitted to enter-or leave-the United States.
>
>
>
> Go here for the whole story:
>
> http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20060814154923ibinews.html
>
> In a rather bizarre ruling that has marine industry officials worried,
> Judge Robert G. James of the United States District Court, Western
> Division of Louisiana, has said that it is criminal trespass for the
> American boating public to boat, fish, or hunt on the Mississippi
> River and other navigable waters in the US.
>
> In the case of Normal Parm v. Sheriff Mark Shumate, James ruled that
> federal law grants exclusive and private control over the waters of
> the river, outside the main shipping channel, to riparian landowners.
> The shallows of the navigable waters are no longer open to the public.
> That, in effect, makes boating illegal across most of the country.
>
> "Even though this action seems like a horrible pre-April fools joke,
> it is very serious," said Phil Keeter, MRAA president, in a statement.
> "Because essentially all the waters and waterways of our country are
> considered navigable in the US law, this ruling declares recreational
> boating, water skiing, fishing, waterfowl hunting, and fishing
> tournaments to be illegal and the public subject to jail sentences for
> recreating with their families."
>
> Last month, James rejected the findings of the Magistrate judge who
> found earlier that the American public had the right under federal law
> and Louisiana law to navigate, boat, fish, and hunt on the waters of
> the Mississippi river up to the normal high water line of the river.
> Judge James Kirk relied on the long established federal principles of
> navigation that recognized the public navigational rights "…entitles
> the public to the reasonable use of navigable waters for all
> legitimate purposes of travel or transportation, for boating, sailing
> for pleasure, as well as for carrying persons or property for hire,
> and in any kind of watercraft the use of which is consistent with
> others also enjoying the right possessed in common."
>
>
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>

 

I read about the airline flights but not the other stuff. Things will get worse before they get better I'm afraid.

 

I generally don't concern myself with American domestic affairs. But sometimes, you gotta wonder, just what the hell is going on down there? What went wrong, that such an amazing and historically resilient country is now getting torn to shreds from all sides by its own government? The press lately is constantly reporting on incredible acts of sheer idiocy that are coming out of the various branches of US government. America has a bit more than a trespass law problem, if you ask me.

 

I would imagine that it is a breach of civil liberties to prevent arrival or departure from the US for US citizens. However, I'm not a laywer.

I wouldn't worry too much about the sailing 'bans' it's not going to be enforcable.

It does make me glad I'm British, though, for the first time in a while.

Cheers,

Tim B.