[Ruxpercnd]

IceOwl IceOwl:

Ruxpercnd Ruxpercnd:

I think Canada needs a publicity campaign to convince the American people that Canada has security and that we are all on the same side. This might sound silly, but we need something to offset the political pandering.

I think America needs to wake up realize that their security is their responsibility. If some guy that wants to blow up a passenger jet makes his way past the border, it's not because Canadian border guards let him out of Canada, but because American border guards let him into America.

I respectfully disagree...

- If a security threat seems to originate from Canada, then it invites American interference in your affairs. We don't stop our security efforts at our borders. I would rather see things go the other direction to where there is easy cross border commerce, like between Washington and Oregon states. Really! Isn't is silly to make such a deal about this border. But that would require a certain level of security. Actually, I think Canada is probably doing a fine job. There are problems, but America also has problems with outsiders slipping in unannounced. We all need to work together for a common benefit.... and that's a fact.

- Terrorist really don't play favorites. Whoever thought they would be trashing Denmark? The biggest threat of terrorist attack is in the Muslim countries, then Russia, then Europe. Ironic that we beat up on the French, they are in line for a terrorist attack before America is. So, Canada, don't get too smug. If Denmark can fall out of favor with these islamic nut cases, then anyone can.

The main difference America has with the European model is that Europe (and perhaps Canada?) treats terrorism as a police matter. America treats it as a strategic threat and military type threat. The answer might be somewhere in between.

[BurytheNDPforgood]

IceOwl IceOwl:

Ruxpercnd Ruxpercnd:

I think Canada needs a publicity campaign to convince the American people that Canada has security and that we are all on the same side. This might sound silly, but we need something to offset the political pandering.

I think America needs to wake up realize that their security is their responsibility. If some guy that wants to blow up a passenger jet makes his way past the border, it's not because Canadian border guards let him out of Canada, but because American border guards let him into America.

Right.

That's why they have been tightening it up.

[BartSimpson]

If some nutcase who wants to attack the USA goes to Canada should Canada stop him from going anywhere?

Not without reasonable cause.

Also, to be fair, if someone is in Canada and behaves themselves while in Canada then I see no reason for Canada to do anything about them.

At the same time, there is a war on, there are people who have clearly stated their intent to harm the USA (and have done so) so the USA is not out of line in securing our borders, north and south, as best we can.

Again, so long as our border security people stay on our side of the border I see no problem.

[DerbyX]

You are right. What security measures you guys take is not only your right but your responsibilty to your citizenry.

Your gov't has often said that it believes our security is lax and has warned us that because they believe its lax they must raise the level of security on our border. It isn't that they suspect Canadians per say of sending terrorists down to the US but they are concerned about us letting someone into Canada who is a terrorists and gaining access to the US easier because US-CAN security has historically been very mild.

Mind you that isn't saying that our security is lax only that washington believes it may be.

Another point that should be brought up is the tendency for any US breech (from a non-CDN source) and your people will be far more specific in assigning blame (ie the guys at the individual airport/port) whereas if the breech happens along any CAN-US crossing then blame will be heaped on the entire border as a whole rather then the people at the Ambassador bridge for example and the whole border will likely suffer. Human nature I'm afraid. The closer you are to something the more specific the blame.

[Ruxpercnd]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

If some nutcase who wants to attack the USA goes to Canada should Canada stop him from going anywhere?

Not without reasonable cause.

Also, to be fair, if someone is in Canada and behaves themselves while in Canada then I see no reason for Canada to do anything about them.

At the same time, there is a war on, there are people who have clearly stated their intent to harm the USA (and have done so) so the USA is not out of line in securing our borders, north and south, as best we can.

Again, so long as our border security people stay on our side of the border I see no problem.

This kind of response reflects the basic difference between Euro/Canadian approach and the American approach. The Euro approach is that terrorism is a police matter. Policing is passive in that no action is taken until the terrorist commits his act. America wants a more pro-active approach - monitor who is planning the acts and stop them before they commit their act.

Actually, I don't agree with America's over-militarizing the border, especially with Canada. I would rather see an open border. If Canada is a security problem, we should handle it diplomatically and have a healthy population of American undercover agents around Canada to sniff out trouble. If we were to identify a real bad guy in Canada, I am sure that by notifying Canadian authorities, that problem could get neutralized. Also, we could take irregular measures to neutralize a problem.

I believe that Ahmad Ressam, who crossed over to America for terrorism, had raised money by committing crimes in Canada, so it's not in Canada's interest to entertain guys like him.

This whole thing is blown out of proportion by politicians and right wing nut cases. It is a politician's dream to be able to point to a fear inspiring boogeyman and say, "Vote for me!". It has already started here in America and there will be a lot more. Candadian politicians tried it in the last big election. The Canadians were able to separate out that political bla bla and focus on real issues, thank goodness!

[BartSimpson]

Terrorism is truly neither a police nor a military matter, specifically, it is a problem that requires a unique hybrid response. Tanks and fighter-bombers are not always the way to handle it, but then batons and pistols are not always up to the challenege, either.

I think what we will see in the not-so-far-off future is a military-police hybrid organization that will have foot patrol officers who will be able to call in armor and air support - and then armor and air specialists who will be able to call in less-dramatic police responses when appropriate.

[ziggy]

I used to do guided snowmobile tours in southwestern Alberta and BC and we would cruise into Montana all the time no problem.Allways amazed me how easy it was to get into the states.

[Ruxpercnd]

Here is an example of American - Canadian co-operation:

Human smuggling ring busted
More than a dozen people are arrested in an alleged cross-border human smuggling ring. CTV's Jim Jurkin reports. (February 15) - CNN Video:

http://www.cnn.com/video/partners/click ... ggling.ctv


U.S.: Estimated 200,000 are on terrorist database:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/n ... mes15.html

Intelligence and Cooperation is the answer, not airplanes...

[Ruxpercnd]

[ziggy]

Avro Avro:

ziggy ziggy:

I used to do guided snowmobile tours in southwestern Alberta and BC and we would cruise into Montana all the time no problem.Allways amazed me how easy it was to get into the states.

Better watch out next time I hear Cheney is hunting in the area.

Btw...

$1:

used to do guided snowmobile tours in southwestern Alberta and BC

.....I'm jealous.

Only choppers I heard were the ones out looking for us after 2 or 3 days.
Clicking my www link takes you to my sisters place.

inn on the border

Neat place on the border,long distance from one room to the other. kitchens in Alberta and the dining room and bar in BC.