America's Front Line of Defence

[kotori]

I said that I was going to stay away from the politcal things . . .
And I don't really know what it is that I'm trying to say with this . . .
But I had an experience yesterday that I'll will offer for your discussion and comment . . .

Came back into the States from Canada via the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, Mich. (Hi, Fly!--Hi, Caroline0!) Anyway, the U.S. Customs guy looked like a reject from an episode of NYPD Blue. Un-shaven, heavy-lidded, blood-shot eyes. Definitely hung-over.

"You all U.S. citizens?" he asked.

"Yes," I say, reaching for our paperwork (birth certs and passports).

"How long you away?"

"Five days."

"Buy anything?"

"Some books."

"You all live in _______ (state on license plate)."

"Yes."

"Gowan."

"Huh?"

"That's all, go on."

Now, admittedly, I don't think a Mercury Villager would fit into anyone's profile of a terrorist, but really--he could have at least checked to see that we really were U.S. citizens. The Canadians did last week. It didn't take long. And it's not like there was a hugh line waiting--there was so little traffice, I thought something was wrong.

Okay, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

 

[seXieleXie]

come on, it's canada

 

[Jimi]

I said that I was going to stay away from the politcal things . . .
And I don't really know what it is that I'm trying to say with this . . .
But I had an experience yesterday that I'll will offer for your discussion and comment . . .

Came back into the States from Canada via the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, Mich. (Hi, Fly!--Hi, Caroline0!) Anyway, the U.S. Customs guy looked like a reject from an episode of NYPD Blue. Un-shaven, heavy-lidded, blood-shot eyes. Definitely hung-over.

"You all U.S. citizens?" he asked.

"Yes," I say, reaching for our paperwork (birth certs and passports).

"How long you away?"

"Five days."

"Buy anything?"

"Some books."

"You all live in _______ (state on license plate)."

"Yes."

"Gowan."

"Huh?"

"That's all, go on."

Now, admittedly, I don't think a Mercury Villager would fit into anyone's profile of a terrorist, but really--he could have at least checked to see that we really were U.S. citizens. The Canadians did last week. It didn't take long. And it's not like there was a hugh line waiting--there was so little traffice, I thought something was wrong.

Okay, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

That was Hilarious... I think i know that guy - or his brother - Peace Bridge to Buffalo... ?

 

[CarolineOh]

::::waving as kotori drives by:::::

The mayor of Detroit was on TV yesterday asking the state and Feds to help beef up security at the bridge. But old habits die hard, and security has always been minimal, partly because tens of thousands of people cross each day to work or shop on one side or the other (US dollars are worth about $1,60 canadian right now, good time to go shopping!). Shortly before 9-11, they even started a system for frequent crossers so they didn't have to go through customs at all.
But if you think about it, the river is only a mile wide, and there are thousands of small boats on it every day. Anyone could cross undetected if they wanted to. My Grandfather ran booze in from Windsor during Prohibition. You would need the whole damn Navy to secure the border here.

 

[CelestialBody]

 

[RhumbRunner13]

Truth is...

...there are greater differences between Californians and Arizonans than Canadians and Americans. We are, as countries, fully brothers! Our border is the longest and the most free of any place in the world because of our common heritage and experience. Our police and security systems are so similar and equal that we know someone inside Canada has been through the equal scrutiny as if they had come through JFK.

We know who the enemy is, to the greatest extent. I have as much confidence in Canada's forces to protect us as I do those here.

Besides, I don't want to jeopardize our supply of ice and Canadian bacon!

RhumbRunner

 

[kotori]

That's funny, my family lives twenty minutes from the Bridge, we get stopped and searched everytime we cross.

I guess you need a Mercury Villager.

This is what I meant. I'm a naturalised US citizen. I have another passport (EU), I could have been bringing in a load of Katushka rockets (as well a contraband cigars).

The point is (to me) that all this "heightened security" since September, is just so much fucking bullshit.

 

[CelestialBody]

 

[enjoyingitall]

Try coming back into the US from Mexico! Talk about security. Last month it took us about an hour and a half in the walk-through lines. It's a pain to wait that long, but it does give me a sense of better security. Last year you could breeze through in 15 minutes and all they asked was "Where were you born?" No proof needed. That's all changed now. Hmmmm, seems the northern border patrol could take a lesson from the southern patrol.

 

[kotori]

Try coming back into the US from Mexico!

A-rabs, Beaners--all them darkies look alike, can't be too careful.

War on Drugs, War on Terror--just another name for War on Others. Same Shit, Different Day.

*I just wanna live in America*

 

[Skibum]

When I lived in Vermont I never had trouble crossing back and forth between Canada and the US.

On the other hand, I was stopped crossing from Arizona into California last Monday...

 

[enjoyingitall]

Skibum... did they ask if you were bringing fruit into the state? Never mind about illegal things, California always tries to keep out fruit. First time they asked me that I thought they were joking, and laughed. He wasn't amused though.

 

[April]

It's those gawddamn fruit flies!!

I got so tired of hearing about them and dealing with the aftermath of spraying and shit. Was really glad to get out of there.

YOU try sleeping with 6 slow, very low flying helicopters flying over your neighborhood! Fuck!

*breathing* Okay, that was a long time ago. But it still pisses me off.

 

[heterotic]

The local government doesn't want me to leave my house, I lower property values and scare small children... Aside from that I've never had trouble at borders, though.
I mean, he could have used a little more lube with that cavity search; but no real trouble.

 

[Paendragon]

It's just to make the general populace feel safer. Some work, some are bullshit (like needing a picture ID to fly, for example. I had a fake ID when I was 19 that cost me 30 bucks, and actually fooled a policeman. You think someone with a terrorist bankroll behind them couldn't get a better one? Even passports are considered sufficient ID. What are the odds that the Delta ticket person in JFK Airport is gonna be able to spot a phony passport from Zimbabwe?).

The sad fact is, you can make a bomb in your garage with chemicals that you can get in a hardware store. The government knows this, and they know that some things are going to slip through. Checking cars coming from Canada at all is pointless. I doubt you can buy anything extraordinarily dangerous there that you couldn't get in the US anyway.

 

[android1966]

It's just to make the general populace feel safer. Some work, some are bullshit (like needing a picture ID to fly, for example. I had a fake ID when I was 19 that cost me 30 bucks, and actually fooled a policeman. You think someone with a terrorist bankroll behind them couldn't get a better one? Even passports are considered sufficient ID. What are the odds that the Delta ticket person in JFK Airport is gonna be able to spot a phony passport from Zimbabwe?).

Then there's passports of convienience, countries like Liberia or Panama will issue anyone with a passport. You don't even need to ever step foot in the country, you can get them through the post.

 

[Paendragon]

Then there's passports of convienience, countries like Liberia or Panama will issue anyone with a passport. You don't even need to ever step foot in the country, you can get them through the post.

Even better example.

 

[Skibum]

Skibum... did they ask if you were bringing fruit into the state?

I know...Isn't that an illegal limitation on interstate commerce?

 

[Vilac]

That's funny, my family lives twenty minutes from the Bridge, we get stopped and searched everytime we cross.

Celest....
I cross over the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron quite often, and have never, *ever been stopped once. Typically my experience is quite like koturi's.

You must just look more suspicious than me. lol



V~

 

[alexandraaah]

Security is tighter than you think.


While that gentleman was staring at you dejectedly, officials were installing a tiny camera into your dash via the engine. You didn't know they were under your car, did you?


They're watching your every post. Be a good boy now.

 

[lavender]

 

[alexandraaah]

Popped in to say I love the word tangential.

Thanks lav, it suits me at times.