A bird in hand...

“This just in from Reuters...

2nd American Jailed for Obscene Gesture in Brazil

Updated 10:15 AM ET February 7, 2004


SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) - The second American in a month was arrested while entering Brazil for making an obscene gesture while being photographed by an immigration official, police said on Saturday.

Federal police in Foz do Iguacu on Brazil's border with Argentina and Paraguay said retired U.S. banker Douglas Allan Skolnick, 56, was jailed overnight for flipping his middle finger in a photo now required to be taken of all U.S. tourists entering Brazil.

Brazil began fingerprinting and photographing Americans entering the country in January after the U.S. government imposed a similar process on foreigners, except for those from 27 mostly European countries.

"Mr. Skolnick went before the judge this morning and opted to take the public prosecutor's offer that he pay a 15,000 real fine ($5,000) to avoid prosecution," said officer Marcos Koren of the Foz do Iguacu federal police.

Skolnick, who came into Brazil on a charter flight with 91 other tourists -- mostly American -- from Chile on Friday, is being held in his hotel room under police guard until he pays the fine, said Koren. He will then be free to leave Brazil.

Skolnick declined to comment.

On Jan. 14, an American Airlines pilot was arrested upon entry into Brazil via Sao Paulo, after flipping his finger in a photo. American Airlines paid a fine nearly $13,000 to free the pilot.”

“weirdness.”

“sounds like a good thing to start doing. Might of been more effective to just remove the bird.”

“It makes me wonder what those fine folks at the Transportation Safety Administration would do if the shoe was on the other foot.”

“Why don't you go flip 'em the bird and report back to us???”

“I'd have to be a native of Brazil traveling to the US, <DUH>”

“I think after Sep. 11, 2001, having your pic taken is a small inconvenience to have to enter the US. I don't understand Brazil's need to do the same. Sounds like sour grapes on their part.”

“South America sucks. They just wish their countries were as cool as the US.”

“Fair is fair in my opinion. If Brazil insisted on extra precautions from just a few countries including the US, we would reciprocate. It should be our standard policy with everybody, which we already basically do unobtrusively. A separate photo buys time for the computers to check (not to mention the ion scanners) while still having the subject in your presence.”

“ION SCANNERS. Most of the money (especially $20's) in YOUR wallet has cocaine molecules on them. Really not helpfull, but kinda interesting. But scan that same bill, luggage, ticket, passport or clothing & find C4, semtex, anthrax or some other nasty substance & you might draw a little unwanted attention.”

“We should start a grass roots campaign to raise the $5000 fine for Mr. Skolnick.”

“If Brazil wants to impose similar measures, it is their right (for whatever reason). I agree with Catshiker that picking and choosing which countries' nationals to photograph and fingerprint was asking for trouble. It should've been 'all or none'. Period.

The stereotype of The Ugly American is perpetuated, thanks to Skolnick and the pilot from American Airlines. Way Ta Go, Guys.”

“If you can't do the time don't do the crime.

If you’re so stupid that you think you can act any way you want in another country then you deserve what you get.”

“Now don't get me wrong here - I'm as patriotice as anyone - but I don't see what the point is by making a stink about getting your pic taken when entering ANY country. If the Brazilian gov't wants to do this, it's their right. If you don't like it - DON'T GO!

This is another example and yet more evidence of Americans acting piggish and arrogant.”

“A bird in hand...can make an aweful mess.”

“And the bigger the bird, the bigger the mess, LOL

For Sure, Roam. I think it's really unfortunate that some people would question a person's love for their country over something like this. Strange days, indeed.”

“Give me a break Tilt, the article didn't say the guy was questioning anyone's love for their country. The article infers that Brazil is upset that they are not one of the countries left off the list.”

“Hey, when in Rome ya better do as the Romans do!”

“Nope. No break forthcoming. I was responding directly to what Roam said. And if you think there aren't such people --- where have you been the last three years?

Read any Ann Coulter lately?”

“Haha! Tilt doesn't care what the issues are. If he wants to stear an argument to the White House, by gawd that's what he's going to do. Tilt is very good at getting a discussion turned so around that people end up asking the questions HE wants to answer. He has pat answers and he just needs to tweak the conversation enough until the answers he wants to give fit and then he zapps ya with it. Sadly though his view is so tainted with hate for Bush and anything conservative he can't give an informed answer any more than Stratdewd can.”

“Wow you guys sure get worked up for someone giving the finger.

I thought it was funny.”

“When in a foreign country, one should be reasonably expected to abide by that country's laws. The churlish behavior of the two Americans does nothing to enhance our image abroad. They got exactly what they deserved.

Brazil is simply reacting to what it sees (and I totally agree) as an inequitable American policy.”

“Exactly FG! If you wanna go somewhere you should be prepared to abide by the local laws. That's what we expect visitors to this country to do isn't it?

If Brazil want to take my picture in exchange for letting me vist the beach at Rio, I'll let them. Just because that guy was an american doesn't give him any special priviledge outside our own borders, why should he have expected it?

Unfortunately, behavior like that does make people assume that Americans are arrogant bastards.”

“It's just like that dumb kid who vadalized cars in Singapore and then got caned.”

“That’s the problem with other countries they’re full of foreigners. Can’t we do something about that?”

“Yep. It's a damn shame, LOL”

“Americans are arrogant bastards. That is our charm it is not a bad thing :-)”

“
We'll save Australia
Don't wanna hurt no kangaroo
We'll build an All American amusement park there
They got surfin', too
”

“I can't even get my wife to agree with me on this one. I don't think the guys should flip the bird, that is definitely crass. The issue I have is that the US seems to have done this in response to 9/11/01, while Brazil seems to have done it in a "you did it to us, we'll do it to you" manner. I'm willing to admit I'm wrong on this one. In the end, having your picture made is not that big a deal when entering a country.



Except for the fact that I believe that having your picture taken steals your soul and traps it in that little box.”

“I dunno.... I still wish they'd give Everyone entering the country the treatment if they're going to do it at all. Giving people from Some countries a pass isn't just bad PR. Didn't Saudi citizens receive less scrutiny... until 9-11?

One reason I heard for only putting Some visitors through the process was COST. $100 billion spent in Iraq (so far) and they're talking about COST for security at home? good grief.

(don't get me started on porous borders and container ships, LOL)”

“I concur with Tilt. If we're going to do this at all, it is senseless not to photograph every single person entering the country. Since our borders are like a sieve, it makes no sense at all. It is just another feel-good, do-nothing measure so that politicians can say they're doing something about a problem...kinda like 'gun-control' (FG sets the hook...)...”

“Are there any anglo terrorists?”

“Sneek into Brazil like so many do into this country--good luck. Once you leave the borders of the US you are at the worlds mercy and the US gov. should do nothing to help you.”

“Does Timothy Mcviegh ring a bell? How about the KKK, the world’s first terrorist organization. There are many more Anglo terrorists and they’re right here.”

“dont forget the ira”

“(hiccup)”

“the KKK is the worlds first terrorist org? Wow, that is an amazing interpretation of history!”

“It won't do any good to take pictures of the KKK. They all wear those goofy dunce cap masks.

...and Timothy McVey is dead.”

“i think the spanish inquisition might pre-date the kkk, but then, NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION! our two chief weapons are surprise, fear, and a fanatical devotion.....three! three weapons are surprise, fear, and a fanatical devotion to jim baker!”

“Did anyone else see the skit Dave Capelle did on his show?

He's dressed up in a KKK outfit (complete with the hood) and he's supposed to be blind. He jumps around ranting and raving about "White Power!" and all for a few minutes, then at the end he takes of his hood.... The audience reactions were a scream.”