I have a busy morning today, followed by an exhausted afternoon, and so you may have to take a little less today. This is an anniversary, of course, but I decline to participate in the national introspection. If you’re looking for bloggage to discuss, here’s a good start: The formerly friendly Canadian border, gone, gone, gone.
Dick Law of Gibraltar can remember boating across the Detroit River to Crystal Bay in Canada as a young man and seeing the customs officials go by and simply wave.
But beefed-up border security from customs officials, the Coast Guard, county sheriffs and local police have complicated what once was a simple trip to Ontario waters across from Grosse Ile.
As of Jan. 31, Americans will be required to carry a passport or similar document to return from Canada, a requirement formerly reserved for overseas travelers. Customs officials plan to phase in the requirement until the public becomes more aware, but it’s expected to increase the time it takes to cross the borders.
The new rules will be backed up with more spot checks. Law said boaters near Gibraltar face a gauntlet of law enforcement from U.S. or Canadian customs agents, the Coast Guard, the Wayne County sheriff and local police from Gibraltar and Grosse Ile.
It isn’t just boaters, either. They’ve started putting portable toilets along the approaches to the crossing at Port Huron. Live near a border? What’s it like where you are?
Back later today, in one form or another.
Danny said on September 11, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Going south into Mexico is no problem. Coming back north, there can be a wait, but it is part of the regular morning traffic report and so people know what to expect.
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4dbirds said on September 11, 2007 at 2:17 pm
There’s life outside our borders? Who knew.
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Danny said on September 11, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Well, this is turning out to be a real interesting thread. Tomorrow, maybe we cen get one rolling on what each of our favorite colors is.
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nancy said on September 11, 2007 at 3:24 pm
It’s only reflective of the effort that went into it, Danny.
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LA mary said on September 11, 2007 at 4:38 pm
I don’t see colors, only shades of grey. (liberal AND affecting British spelling)
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Danny said on September 11, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Then you meant to type “colours.” See, even a conservative can see that. 🙂
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mouse's moom said on September 11, 2007 at 5:16 pm
When I was a kid in Sault Ste. Marie (the Michigan side), we used to “walk” to Canada. At that time there was only a ferry and, if we just wanted to shop Queen Street and have lunch, we’d park our cars on the Michigan side and walk on to the ferry. I was ten when the International Bridge was built. I rarely go to Canada now. One look at the backed up vehicles coming back is enough for me. I waited an hour the last time I went over there, summer 2006. Just to go hiking, ferchrissake.
Cheers,
Anne
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LA mary said on September 11, 2007 at 6:40 pm
My day has been so tedious and boring I’m excited about picking up my drycleaning on the way home. My black linen blazer will be clean. Ooooh.
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Mindy said on September 11, 2007 at 7:30 pm
I’m hearin’ ya, Mary. Got my freezer defrosted today. Oh, what a thrill.
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Jolene said on September 11, 2007 at 7:49 pm
Hey, I listed some of the things I’ve decided I can live without (and are actually worth money) on eBay–something I’ve been meaning to do for a long time. It’s a little better than drycleaning. At least I won’t have to do it again!
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brian stouder said on September 11, 2007 at 9:48 pm
We bought a new (to us) mini-van today…woohoo! As was discussed the other day, executing serious financial moves like that are emotionally burdensome, and it is a big relief to have it behind us rather than upon us. I took a vacation day to deal with all the contingencies, and it was well that I did that.
So at 9 this morning, I found myself between tasks, and turned on msnbc and watched part of their uninterrrupted replay of Katie and Matt’s 9/11/01 broadcast from that other Tuesday morning.
Back on that day, I was at work, and traded phone calls with Pammy until I literally no longer believed what she was telling me in successive calls. Watching the synched ‘realtime’ coverage on tv was wrenching. I genuinely admired Jim Mickelschevski’s (sorry about the spelling) coverage from the Pentagon, and Katie’s unwavering and steadfast calmness in New York City; the professionalism they displayed, as they kept the information flowing and kept their emotions in check was nothing short of marvelous.
Hell, the pictures and the unfolding, horrible panorama choked me up until I had tears in my eyes this morning – and at about 10:30 I shut the damned tv off, and we proceeded with our mini-van acquisition.
And I felt older.
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