Even domestically, Americans hate this crap. No one likes the TSA. No one thinks they do a goddamned thing. It's a massive invasion of privacy and a huge waste of money. And then we have this "Real ID" thing looming over us just to get on an airplane (again, for a domestic flight only).

You'd think we could unite against such a simple common enemy but apparently no one has the time. I guess politicians are worried about a sudden glut of unemployed TSA workers who's only job skills are identifying the water bottle I forgot in my bag.

I never got this. What legal implications does stating that you're not a terrorist have to enable persecution that they couldn't enforce otherwise if you were actually a terrorist?

Like, if I were a terrorist, I doubt I'd have a huge problem with lying, so the whole thing always feels silly.

That's what's called a visa.

Even today you need a visa. You get that visa on arrival.