Comments on: A tale of two journeys http://politicsandpress.com/2007/a-tale-of-two-journeys/ The interaction of the press and politics; public diplomacy, and daily absurdities. Sat, 22 Nov 2008 08:24:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.3 by: Mackenzie Brothers http://politicsandpress.com/2007/a-tale-of-two-journeys/#comment-1997 Sun, 06 Jan 2008 02:24:50 +0000 http://politicsandpress.com/2007/a-tale-of-two-journeys/#comment-1997 The border crisis seems to have hit a raw nerve as comments have been flying in from around the globe including what might be Hades for Mr. Belazaeebub, and Planet X in the latest effort. I phoned my brother Doug in his remote retreat to query about the accuracy of the supposed Mr. Wallach's memoirs and he asked me to immediately correct one of his fantasies. He says he did not learn how to read after getting married. The border crisis seems to have hit a raw nerve as comments have been flying in from around the globe including what might be Hades for Mr. Belazaeebub, and Planet X in the latest effort. I phoned my brother Doug in his remote retreat to query about the accuracy of the supposed Mr. Wallach’s memoirs and he asked me to immediately correct one of his fantasies. He says he did not learn how to read after getting married.

]]> by: Chris Wallach http://politicsandpress.com/2007/a-tale-of-two-journeys/#comment-1995 Sat, 05 Jan 2008 16:05:34 +0000 http://politicsandpress.com/2007/a-tale-of-two-journeys/#comment-1995 In 1962 I crisscrossed Western Europe (East Berlin included) with 50% of the Mackenzie Brothers. He was a kindly lad, already afoam with traditional Mackenzie family values, and allowed me to repair our ratty $150 Mercedes night and day as he drank in the sights. But say what you will, the man knows his border crossings. Really. Somewhere along the line he married, learned to read, and moved to Canada, where his driving and his politics still make people nervous. Chris In 1962 I crisscrossed Western Europe (East Berlin included) with 50% of the Mackenzie Brothers. He was a kindly lad, already afoam with traditional Mackenzie family values, and allowed me to repair our ratty $150 Mercedes night and day as he drank in the sights. But say what you will, the man knows his border crossings. Really.

Somewhere along the line he married, learned to read, and moved to Canada, where his driving and his politics still make people nervous.

Chris

]]> by: Jeff http://politicsandpress.com/2007/a-tale-of-two-journeys/#comment-1986 Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:31:27 +0000 http://politicsandpress.com/2007/a-tale-of-two-journeys/#comment-1986 I kind of wondered whether anyone would come to the defense of my pals, the Mackenzies. As it turns out, they have traveled to more countries than most long-term enforcement officers and they simply wonder whether waiting for hours at a border of the U.S. is really necessary. I actually think it disgusting that the U.S. cannot do better with this stuff and frankly, "whining" about it is a public service. I have traveled to over 30 countries and the U.S. comes in last in terms of efficiency in managing its borders. As for keeping us safe ("blah blah blah" - Rudy Giuliani)I think it is not such a great idea to scare the crap out of us all to further the destruction of our civil liberties. But then, to quote the great Canadian Leonard Cohen, "And theres a mighty judgement coming, but I may be wrong". I kind of wondered whether anyone would come to the defense of my pals, the Mackenzies. As it turns out, they have traveled to more countries than most long-term enforcement officers and they simply wonder whether waiting for hours at a border of the U.S. is really necessary. I actually think it disgusting that the U.S. cannot do better with this stuff and frankly, “whining” about it is a public service. I have traveled to over 30 countries and the U.S. comes in last in terms of efficiency in managing its borders. As for keeping us safe (”blah blah blah” - Rudy Giuliani)I think it is not such a great idea to scare the crap out of us all to further the destruction of our civil liberties. But then, to quote the great Canadian Leonard Cohen, “And theres a mighty judgement coming, but I may be wrong”.

]]> by: preacherbbb http://politicsandpress.com/2007/a-tale-of-two-journeys/#comment-1985 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:46:20 +0000 http://politicsandpress.com/2007/a-tale-of-two-journeys/#comment-1985 I know for a fact that the Mackenzie brothers have travelled extensively all over Europe and parts of Asia. I also know that they have had a passport for many, many years. I am both Canadian and American (dual citizenship). I was born in The US and grew up in Canada. I currently reside in The USA. I do feel that the borders have changed since when i was younger. I have been pulled over (at the border) on a random check and had my car searched, something that would never have happened pre-2001. My question, is why should the borders be more heavily guarded now? Because of 9-11-01? Should the borders not have been guarded as well before 9-11-01? Were there no terrorists prior to that? Why were the borders not "beefed up" after the bombing of the USS Cole? That was a Terrorist attack, right? My point is that while most Americans think they are free, i doubt that they are free as they believe they are. Homeland security was a great excuse to intrude on peoples lives, in the name of the preservation of democracy. The Stasi would be proud. I know for a fact that the Mackenzie brothers have travelled extensively all over Europe and parts of Asia. I also know that they have had a passport for many, many years. I am both Canadian and American (dual citizenship). I was born in The US and grew up in Canada. I currently reside in The USA. I do feel that the borders have changed since when i was younger. I have been pulled over (at the border) on a random check and had my car searched, something that would never have happened pre-2001. My question, is why should the borders be more heavily guarded now? Because of 9-11-01? Should the borders not have been guarded as well before 9-11-01? Were there no terrorists prior to that? Why were the borders not “beefed up” after the bombing of the USS Cole? That was a Terrorist attack, right? My point is that while most Americans think they are free, i doubt that they are free as they believe they are. Homeland security was a great excuse to intrude on peoples lives, in the name of the preservation of democracy. The Stasi would be proud.

]]> by: j hammer http://politicsandpress.com/2007/a-tale-of-two-journeys/#comment-1972 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:44:16 +0000 http://politicsandpress.com/2007/a-tale-of-two-journeys/#comment-1972 http://www.greatdreams.com/terrsm.htm http://www.greatdreams.com/terrsm.htm

]]> by: cole cordray http://politicsandpress.com/2007/a-tale-of-two-journeys/#comment-1969 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 14:39:32 +0000 http://politicsandpress.com/2007/a-tale-of-two-journeys/#comment-1969 my wife is canadian and we have a place above osoyoos, just over the border from oroville, wa. i am an american citizen and work for the us gov. have for 40+ years in law enforcement of one type or another. what is your problem? have you really been anywhere else in the world? so you have to wait for awhile....that is the small price you pay to enjoy your vast freedom, both americans and canadians. get a passport and don't worry about it. read a book while in line, listen to some music, talk to your significant other, etc., but please stop this incessent whining! i cannot believe the spoiled brat comments on this and other blogs from people who have most likely never went in harms way, faced hardship, or had to do anything more stressful than consider which latte to buy. get a grip and wait with the rest of us and thank the guard for doing his job. man, i just cannot believe you. cole cordray colecordray@msn.com my wife is canadian and we have a place above osoyoos, just over the border from oroville, wa. i am an american citizen and work for the us gov. have for 40+ years in law enforcement of one type or another. what is your problem? have you really been anywhere else in the world? so you have to wait for awhile….that is the small price you pay to enjoy your vast freedom, both americans and canadians. get a passport and don’t worry about it. read a book while in line, listen to some music, talk to your significant other, etc., but please stop this incessent whining! i cannot believe the spoiled brat comments on this and other blogs from people who have most likely never went in harms way, faced hardship, or had to do anything more stressful than consider which latte to buy. get a grip and wait with the rest of us and thank the guard for doing his job.

man, i just cannot believe you.

cole cordray
colecordray@msn.com

]]> by: Belazeebub http://politicsandpress.com/2007/a-tale-of-two-journeys/#comment-1968 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 08:09:53 +0000 http://politicsandpress.com/2007/a-tale-of-two-journeys/#comment-1968 A quick couple of corrections: a) there is no (direct) highway between Winnipeg and Minneapolis; you would have to take route 29 from Winnipeg to Fargo and then jog left onto route 94 from Fargo to make it to Minneapolis, and b) as for a single terrorist captured at a Canada/US border crossing, I nominate Ahmed Ressam who was captured crossing from Vancouver Island to Port Angeles, Washington aboard the M/V Coho equipped with nitroglycerin and four timers. As far as stricter border measures are concerned, the US is welcome to continue the Mexico-US fence up on their northern border. I guess that makes the Mexicans and Canadians the new Palestinians. I wonder if all this moat building will work out any better for them than it did for the Soviet bloc... A quick couple of corrections:

a) there is no (direct) highway between Winnipeg and Minneapolis; you would have to take route 29 from Winnipeg to Fargo and then jog left onto route 94 from Fargo to make it to Minneapolis, and

b) as for a single terrorist captured at a Canada/US border crossing, I nominate Ahmed Ressam who was captured crossing from Vancouver Island to Port Angeles, Washington aboard the M/V Coho equipped with nitroglycerin and four timers.

As far as stricter border measures are concerned, the US is welcome to continue the Mexico-US fence up on their northern border. I guess that makes the Mexicans and Canadians the new Palestinians. I wonder if all this moat building will work out any better for them than it did for the Soviet bloc…

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