I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that with Costco's special relationship with Amex, that they are not getting hit by the normal processing fees.

Finally, a voice of reason. The truth of the matter is (I think) that we like to feel good about ourselves "doing something". If all the whaling in the world stopped, it would have no effect on most humans. If all of the factory farms in the world stopped raising animals in the inhumane conditions that they are raised in, it would have a huge effect on many humans. People want to be seen as pro-environment, but most people aren't actually willing to sacrifice their own comfort to do so. Hence the hypocrisy.

What's so much better about eating pigs than dogs? People in the US think it is somehow odd or disgusting to eat dogs, but we are just fine with eating pigs which are arguably more intelligent animals.

Well said. Apparently, the price of freedom (where smartphones are concerned) is only 2.6 billion dollars. That's a lot cheaper than the TSA, Homeland Security, or the wars we are waging right now.

Hit the nail right on the head. As long as SCOTUS is willing to let Congress get away with things, and people aren't holding Congress responsible, there is basically nothing to be done.

Agreed. If this is such a great feature that consumers want, someone will build a handset with it and it will be popular. The feds are getting their fingers in way too many pies these days... that's what happens when the Commerce Clause gets interpreted ever more broadly.

You make a good point. I hadn't thought through the implications of the flipside, which is requiring all occupants, present or not, to be present and assenting to any search. I guess I would rather have searches limited than otherwise though, so the thought of it being more difficult to search doesn't bother me too much.

I'm the AC above - I agree that Congress is unwilling to legislate and would rather pass the buck... hence why Congress hasn't declared war in a while. Every senator and representative wants to "keep their hands clean" of these sorts of things. I think though that if enough people started making noise about these infringements, it would force them to pay attention.

Hit the nail on the head.