U.S. border closing plans revealed

[kalian]

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1073086208977&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154

The United States would virtually close the Canada-U.S. border if a terrorist attack were launched anywhere near it, according to documents obtained under access-to-information legislation.

"One additional terrorist attack, that had its origins in Canada or occurred at, or along, the Canada-U.S. border, would likely cause Congress to lift the drawbridge," warn the documents from the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

The confidential government documents also sound the alarm over newly implemented U.S. anti-terrorism legislation, warning it could wreak havoc on Ontario manufacturers.

I wonder what the true motives are? I strongly believe that the
US-Mexican border is much more poreous than the US-Canadian border.
But then again...I could be wrong. :shrug: I still think that the US
is out to "punish" the Canucks...

[Jim Sagle]

1. Also to prevent our escape?

[kalian]

3. Hmmm....

quite possible.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Here is the other questin

If I was an Ontario businesman would I be looknig for new markets? You betcha

How long until Canada gets fed up and PULLS OUT OF NAFTA?

The same goes for Mexico, where the press is virtually up in arms over the abuses.

[IndianaGreen]

18. Exactly, closing the border would trap us inside the Fourth Reich

and we would be slaughtered to the cheers of the Christian Right.

[Military Brat]

2. It isn't to keep them out, it's to keep us in

I guess you've pegged it, kalian. The next attack will be in the vicinity of the border. This will ensure that few of our youth get to Canada to avoid the impending draft.

But of course, in the meantime, it will hurt Canada. "If implemented, as Congress probably intended, entry/exit could create monumental delays at the border, with devastating effects on Ontario's export industries," read the Oct. 23 documents.

I guess bush hates Canada for its freedoms.

[kalian]

4. To keep us in....

Stalinist Russia.... Why don't I feel safe anymore, not like I was
feeling safe during these past few years...

[Missy Vixen]

6. The US Canada border and Washington State

>"One additional terrorist attack, that had its origins in Canada or occurred at, or along, the Canada-U.S. border, would likely cause Congress to lift the drawbridge," warn the documents from the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.<

I'd be interested in the fallout if this article were more widely circulated among businesses close to the US/Canada border in Washington State. Since the border (up to this point, at least,) is fairly easy to get across if one has the permission to cross it, many Canadians cross to get the more inexpensive food, clothing and household items at the local malls. When I was a single girl :eyes:, we used to drive to Canada for dinner on the weekends every once in awhile. We were also just in Canada last month for a cat show.

Here's my point: After reading the above article, we'll be thinking twice about visiting Canada, (what if we can't get home, even with a passport?) and I agree with you: This will accomplish two action items -- punishing the Canadians, and impacting the economy of Washington State as well.

Julie

[Art_from_Ark]

15. So much for the Peace Arch?

Inscription at the Peace Arch at Blaine, WA/White Rock, BC: "May these gates never be closed".

[ithacan]

7. what f***ing idiocy

you can tell the idiots behind this have never lived near the border. This is not really a border in most parts of the frontier, it's a line that divides communities and families, and across which is tons of back and forth traffic.

This is not about security.

It's about the extreme right wing ideology ruling in the WHite House that sees Canada as dangerous evidence that the right wingers are absolutely wrong on everything...

[Minstrel Boy]

8. what it's about is terrorizing Canadians into surrendering control

of our own borders, by the threat of economic retaliation, and so compelling us to adopt a unified continental security zone. Our immigration laws would be brought into accord with the US, and American border control would effectively encompass our land. Canada would become, at best, a protectorate.

This would be our anschluss.

[Valerie5555]

9. Maybe Canada should do it BEFORE the US did it

to keep the chickenhawks out of Canada and also when we get wind of another impending visit by the Moron In Chief.

On edit: In regards to them both "We hear you knocking, knocking but you can't come in." Bwwwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa :7 :evilgrin:

[soothsayer]

10. ya can't close the mexican border (like with a wall or something)

cuz part of it is the Rio Grande river, and it shifts its course from time to time, so sometimes the US is bigger and Mexico smaller, and sometimes vice versa. It's not a fixed line

[tlcandie]

14. You can't close the Mexican border....

You might be interested to google the Mexican border wall and find the nice wall separating the two countries which will cover the ENTIRE border when done...









BTW, these are not the best pictures I've seen of this wall. There is one that goes into the ocean in California. This wall is built with the metal strips from old ocean carriers where the jets take off and land. The information regarding it is jaw dropping...much like the Israeli wall actually.

[PsN2Wind]

11. The US Mexican border is very porous

The news was saying the Border Patrol is bracing for an influx from Mexico. The reason? They go home for the holidays. I'm assuming that most illegals feel confident they can get back across or they would not risk going home for the holidays.

[preciousdove]

12. All Hat and No Cattle once more.

In an interview on border security some months ago the fellow in charge of Minnesota through Montana said he and his few assistants were definately much too short handed if this should actually occur and he had not seen any additional money for beefing up security. Best they could do is close and lock the few legitmate entry points.

[Hippo_Tron]

13. Draft = me moving to England...

Then pursuing a political career and hopefully getting a seat in the house of commons. God that would be so much fun.

[muriel_volestrangler]

16. Probably not a good idea

since Britain is rolling over and asking Bush to tickle its tummy when it comes the extradition. The USA can now extradite someone from Britain just by making the accusation - they used to have to give the kind of evidence that would be needed to start a trial. Your chances of avoiding a draft must be pretty small. Of course, Britain still has to give evidence to America to extradite someone. Remember, the 'special relationship' is special because the benefits are one-way.

http://www.statewatch.org/news/2003/jul/25ukus.htm

"On 31 March, David Blunkett, UK Home Secretary, signed an Extradition Treaty on behalf of the UK with his United States counterpart, Attorney General Tom Ashcroft, ostensibly bringing the US into line with procedures between European countries. The UK parliament was not consulted at all and the text was not public available until the end of May. The only justification given for the delay was "administrative reasons", though these did not hold-up scrutiny by the US senate, which began almost immediately.

The UK-US Treaty has three main effects:

- (1) it removes the requirement on the US to provide prima facie evidence when requesting the extradition of people from the UK but maintains the requirement on the UK to satisfy the "probable cause" requirement in the US when seeking the extradition of US nationals;

- (2) it removes or restricts key protections currently open to suspects and defendants;

- (3) it implements the EU-US Treaty on extradition, signed in Washington on 25 June 2003, but far exceeds the provisions in this agreement."

[davsand]

17. Geographic issues aside, they can't afford to close that border.

Other than the little problem of physically closing that border (and I'm certain the Michigan Militia guys can tell you how impossible THAT would be) you have to look at the economic impact that closure would have. That border is closing no time in the immediate future, and IF it does it won't be shut for long. Our economy will be in the toilet immediately if that border closes down for any period beyond about 24 hours.

I'm not being snarky, but the Star is not noted for stellar reporting--or even fact checking for that matter.

Laura