My Mk1 importing days may be on hold... :(

[mardak at cogeco.ca (Mark)]

Allyn wrote:

> Mark,
> 
> some things you might be able to use as ammo before your next attempt:
> - who do those customs people answer to? someone must surely be in 
> charge of ensuring they keep civil rights in check... otherwise they 
> could just tell everyone to screw off and die.


The thing is they basically CAN tell ANYONE to screw off and die...  I 
was reminded several times today that anyone crossing can be turned back 
at the officers discretion and there's nothing you can do about it.  I 
don't have any "rights" to enter the States.  They don't have to grant 
me access if they don't want to (which I don't have a problem with - 
every country should have that right).  My beef was that my story was 
completely plausible and confirmable, and there is a history to back it 
up...  I have literally crossed this same border close to 100 times in 
my life, and NEVER had a problem.


> - there *should* be some sort of dispute handling, other than having to 
> deal with someone accusing you of everything under the sun. knowing 
> their procedure better then they do will usually halp you prevail (and 
> its usually not hard with a small bit of research).


I talked to a supervisor, which is about as high as I dared take the 
situation.  I believe if I had been interviewed by a different official 
I would have been fine - this woman seemed to have it out for me the 
minute I tried to tell my story.  She immediately "pshawed(?)" the fax 
confirmation that I presented - she didn't understand it, so she 
discounted it as unimportant.  There was very little respect given to 
ANYONE in the office that was being interviewed - especially after the 
deplorable waiting/standing room conditions and wait.  The whole ordeal 
left a real sour taste in my mouth...

I overheard a border guard telling someone that starting in January 
every single person crossing will be screened - going into and out of 
the U.S.  I can't imagine the mess...

Later,

Mark.