Not sure what to say/think about this one?

[Jethro Bodine]

This from a country where any lunatic can walk into a Walmart, buy an assault rifle and go shoot a bunch of people but don't dare try to smuggle in a Kinder Surprise (Sure maybe a kid could choke on the toy but belive me, there are lots of things a kid can choke on and they're not banned).

http://news.sympatico.cbc.ca/home/womans_candy_egg_seized_at_border/26ea8d6e

 

[FloridaGuy]

Well first off we can't blame the border guards. They are simply enforcing the laws they are told to enforce. It does seem silly of course - very nanny state in a country that as you say, isn't known for nannying its citizens. But its democracy in action so I am hard-pressed to complain about what I perceive to be a stupid regulation. If people were upset enough about this they would be able to have the law overturned - the beauty of democracy. My guess is no one cares enough to take up the kinder-flag. Or someone did, but later they peeled and ate it.

 

[maroonedsailor]

typically American - excessive bureaucracy in all the wrong places and not enough where it matters. US customs is virtually a law unto itself and is almost completely unaccountable to the public with which it interacts. It's a direct reflection of the US federal Govt's attitude towards it's citizens and the sad part is that very few Americans ever encounter the rudeness of the uncivil servants who represent their country to the rest of the world. The US has always been more or less elitist and isolationist but since 9/11 this once great nation has been acting like a frightened schoolyard bully. It saddens me greatly since I love the country and the people and have spent at least half my life there but it sure ain't what it used to be.......

Well first off we can't blame the border guards. They are simply enforcing the laws they are told to enforce. It does seem silly of course - very nanny state in a country that as you say, isn't known for nannying its citizens. But its democracy in action so I am hard-pressed to complain about what I perceive to be a stupid regulation. If people were upset enough about this they would be able to have the law overturned - the beauty of democracy. My guess is no one cares enough to take up the kinder-flag. Or someone did, but later they peeled and ate it.

 

[jnewton]

They are little more than thugs and a disgrace to the country and people they work for.

 

[maroonedsailor]

They are little more than thugs and a disgrace to the country and people they work for.

unfortunately they really are a reflection of their superior occifers

 

[jnewton]

unfortunately they really are a reflection of their superior occifers

Truer words are rarely spoken.

 

[maroonedsailor]

So ...
basically, they are just like our RCMP?

With the exception, of course, that they do not get the priveledge of investigating themselves whenever their actions are called into question.

Honestly the RCMP have nothing on these bad boys and girls. US Customs and Immigration treats incomming "aliens" As if they were all criminals. They have had a bad attitude from day one but since 9/11 it's gotten complately out of hand. (not to say that I think the RCMP are all that and a bag of chips but Canada has at least some control over them - The US customs is like a daily dose of the Robert I can't spell his last name and I'm too lazy to look up Jakanskie, at all points of entry.)

 

[maroonedsailor]

Not true.......sure once in a while you run into a Dick but for the most part, I have been treated extremely fairly by them.

Rule of thumb....just answer the questions, do what your told and it usually goes smoothly. Pull any attitude, even if justified and you're in for a hastle. That goes with US and Canada Customs.

Just recently friends of mine went to the border to interview for the speed pass. This is a professional couple in their late 60's, well dressed, well spoken and respectful. After 6 hours of being abused verbally by multiple agents of the US Border Patrol, they finally managed to find a supervisor who was willing to help them with their previously scheduled appointment. They did get their speed pass but will forever carry a grim view of US customs. Even way back in the 60's my grandmother who was visiting from Holland, entered Canada through New York on a one way visa, came into Windsor via Detroit and without really thinking about it went back to Detroit on a shopping trip with my mother. She was advised that her visa did not permit re-entry into the States and was escorted back to Canada AT GUNPOINT. I can go on and on ad nauseum and while I understand what you're saying and realize that not all border agents are assholes, there has been a noteable increase in attitude since 9/11

 

[jnewton]

Honestly the RCMP have nothing on these bad boys and girls. US Customs and Immigration treats incomming "aliens" As if they were all criminals. They have had a bad attitude from day one but since 9/11 it's gotten complately out of hand. (not to say that I think the RCMP are all that and a bag of chips but Canada has at least some control over them - The US customs is like a daily dose of the Robert I can't spell his last name and I'm too lazy to look up Jakanskie, at all points of entry.)

They don't treat US citizens much better either. Almost without exception I have found them to be bullies, mean spirited, officious, and dense as rocks.

 

[maroonedsailor]

MARINES huh? I tried to join the marines once but they found out my parents were married.
Actually most Canadian border guards are selected from former service men and women. I did apply once and was accepted. Unfortunately they took too long to make the offer and by that time I was on a deep sea tug in the South China Sea towing ammunition barges for the US Army. One of life's little twists.
So Krustee, does the extremely undisciplined civilian include you or are you a disgruntled vet?

Show's how little you know there Einstein.

Many of these border guards are former Marines & extremely disciplined. (the polar opposite of most civilians like we have here)

I have NEVER had a problem crossing the border going south, but our own boys have strip searched my car twice & harassed me on numerous occasions.

Never found anything to justify their actions but still failed to appologize for the BS they put me through.

I'll take the US border patrol over our Canuckleheads anytime!

 

[lenny]

I have NEVER had a problem crossing the border going south, but our own boys have strip searched my car twice & harassed me on numerous occasions.

Never found anything to justify their actions but still failed to appologize for the BS they put me through.

I'll take the US border patrol over our Canuckleheads anytime!

I've also been harrased/searched returning from LOS most of the time. Even though nothing was found to justify it, and there were long waiting periods afrer a lengthy and tiring flight overseas. Also renewing my USA passport was a piece of cake, whereas doing the same with my Canadian requires numerous hoops.

However, in Canada we also have certain liberties the US does not have, such as legal prostitution, online betting, and a relative slap on the derriere re pot, so all in all, we have it much better here, as an unofficial state of Uncle Sam.

 

[jnewton]

Show's how little you know there Einstein.

Many of these border guards are former Marines & extremely disciplined. (the polar opposite of most civilians like we have here)

I have NEVER had a problem crossing the border going south, but our own boys have strip searched my car twice & harassed me on numerous occasions.

Never found anything to justify their actions but still failed to appologize for the BS they put me through.

I'll take the US border patrol over our Canuckleheads anytime!

Shows how little you know there Einstein. I'm a US citizen, never even been arrested in my life, let alone convicted of anything, and I still am hassled every time I cross. It's reached the point where I simply allow an extra 2 hours, over and above any expected wait time for traffic, every time I cross the border into the US. No matter what my attitude, they are almost without exception rude, cranky, and distinctly unpleasant. They act like bullies, hence why I call them that. In some twenty crossings in the last 2 years, I have had a grand total of two guards who acted like the civil servants they are supposed to be.

 

[lenny]

Shows how little you know there Einstein. I'm a US citizen, never even been arrested in my life, let alone convicted of anything, and I still am hassled every time I cross. It's reached the point where I simply allow an extra 2 hours, over and above any expected wait time for traffic, every time I cross the border into the US. No matter what my attitude, they are almost without exception rude, cranky, and distinctly unpleasant. They act like bullies, hence why I call them that. In some twenty crossings in the last 2 years, I have had a grand total of two guards who acted like the civil servants they are supposed to be.

I've heard USA airport personnel seem to often cause hassles for travellers. I'm sure every country
has assholes like this.