> Yup. “The tech is there” is just the cowards’ excuse for not doing anything. The tech doesn’t make the difference.

I feel like you and the parent of your post are misinterpreting what sho said. I didn't read it as him trying to justify it, or even say "the tech is there (so let's just accept it)", I read it as him pointing out that it's not just the TSA (or other US agencies) doing it.

And how do you know that he's a "coward" and not doing anything about it? What are you doing about it, other than presumably giving money to the ACLU or EFF?

> England had a police state when the only way to do that was to open paper mail with steam.

England (I assume you mean Britain) has never been a "police state", however draconian new laws may be in this day and age. What are you talking about?