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Comment by Raphmedia | Hacker News Reader

Land of the free.

Seriously, America scares me and I would never visit it. It's a shame, really, the place looks amazing. I hope it will get fixed up in my lifetime...

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I've visited the US many times. You've little to fear as a visitor. There are a great many reasons to visit the USA.

With that being said, I haven't been back since the Snowden news broke and everything else that has followed. I'm not American, I can't vote there, I can't effect influence there, so my only way to protest the national and international actions of the USA is to not bring my tourist dollars there anymore.

Which is a shame because I've spent a lot of money on personal trips there, have enjoyed my times there, have met some really great people there, etc. but as it's my only form of protest that I can engage in, it's what I feel I have to do.

Haven't visited America since the Patriot Act. A shame, really.

Don't let the media scare you, the US is still a fine place to visit.

Please dont believe the hype you hear on the internet. The reality for 90% of people here is not what you read on HN, Reddit, or whatever news site.

May I ask what crime and problem free country you hail from?

It's the people that makes me afraid. Criminals I can deal with. Crime I can deal with. I think the American people are amazing. It's the police and government that I fear. I guess if I visit I would have to be careful in choosing what state I go to.

That being said, I'm from Canada and if Harper has his way, I won't have to worry about the lack of freedom and the excess of police power in the USA since it will be the same at home anyway.

You are much more likely to have an accident with a moose in Canada than be shot by our Police or targeted by our Government.[1]

In the past 10 years I have had exactly two encounters with the police in a negative fashion. One for going over the speed limit and once for an illegal turn. Most of them can be jerks but they are not out to get anyone.

Please dont believe the hype.

[1]http://www.nleomf.org/facts/research-bulletins/

That source only talks about cases where officers were shot, not cases where officers were the ones doing the shooting.

That first sentence should read "It's not the people that makes me afraid."

(Can't edit anymore)

Any 1st or 2nd world country with gun permits and police using their guns so rarely that when somebody gets shot by the police it makes national news.

Good point. Stuff like this never happens outside of America!

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