Expand your German vocabulary! Today's word is Durchlassschein: exit permit.

Yes, folks, the DHS is actually going to require US citizens to get exit permits to leave the country. The proposed rule, from The Federal Register: July 14, 2006:

Under current regulations, air carriers must transmit to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), passenger manifest information for aircraft en route to the United States no later than 15 minutes after the departure of the aircraft. This proposed rule implements the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requirement that such information be provided to the government before departure of the aircraft.

Hmmm... Why before, one wonders? Read on:

to allow for pre-departure vetting of passengers onboard aircraft arriving in and departing from the United States and of passengers and crew onboard vessels arriving in and departing from the United States.

"Vetting"? What do animals have to do with it? [Rimshot. Laughter. "No, but seriously folks, I just flew in from Casablanca..."]

Hey, but let's be reasonable, here, people. There's no reason at all to think that activists or even Democrats would end up on "no-fly" lists and not be permitted to leave the country.

So, it isn't like a Durchlassschein system is already being put in place, or anything.

Right?

I mean, even for the Republicans, that would really be defining deviancy down.

Oh, wait....

NOTE Thanks kelley b (Avedon (liberal candy)))