jerking their chain (Score 1)

The security mindset is quite a piece of work. 2 experiences for sharing 1993: I used to travel with lots of maps for my work in relief and development. Back then you could buy the military JOG's at any map store. (they were reclassified at the start of the latest round in the Gulf). On returning from a high profile assessment mission for the US Government. the customs agent tried to seize my maps. I told her they were published by the US govt, purchased in the US and being returned to the US. On top of that I was a contractor to the US Gov. She still insisted on seizing my maps and I refused. We stared at each other and she relented. Flash forward 2004. Dealing with lots of data and maps for relief and development. The US Gov bureaucrats arrive and start classifying anything they touch. Essentially if they touch it it is now classified because it comes from country X. It does not matter that you buy the map sheet on any corner for a few pennies. Or that everyone already has it and it is posted on the web for any and all to use. They touched it it is now classified , in their own minds. I guess I am just just SOL the next time I travel. they'll probably think they have hit the mother lode with what is on my laptop. Won't matter if I point them to the websites they can download their own copies of the same. When my bags used to set off explosive detectors I made sure I kept copies of my work ID s that showed i worked around explosive disposal sites and told the screener ahead of time. Usually worked without a hitch. What kind of reaction would I get were I to now announce, I have detailed maps and data on Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan and Iraq in my computer acquired legally and legitimately for my legal and legitimate work? Since I removed the mystery does the USG have the right to seize them just because they want them? Can I refuse until they legally demonstrate that my possession of these constitute a threat to the USG versus being a gee-whiz event for their droll work?