"Jim Macklin" wrote in message
news:itwqg.60629$ZW3.8463@dukeread04...
At one time, back about 1911, the UK and its colonies were
reasonably free places. Today, possession of a pocket
knife, a firearm or even a door lock that you won't open for
police inspection will land you in the slammer.

If you don't think that the US is headed in that direction, you have your
eyes closed. The government's fear-mongering, and the US population's
demand for "security at all costs" is driving us there at an alarming pace.

It's not as though knives and guns in the US are uniformly allowed (never
mind weapons with higher firepower), and digital privacy is the current
front on which the US government is looking to require a "master key"
provided to law enforcement. Once the government has carte blanche to
eavesdrop on our conversations, it's only a matter of time before they also
are given the power to enter your house at will.

And by the way, if the police have a valid warrant, it is already a crime to
not open a door lock for them.

I'm amazed that you see a significant difference between the US and the
other places you mention, with respect to the issues you mention.

There is only one USA and one U.S. Constitution and Bill of
Rights.

The sooner we get back to using those documents, the better.