It is fine to call this one bad decision but it challenges the meaning of what is local and what is security:
...officials wonder whether increased border security cost the firefighters precious minutes. Mr. Hébert said fires double in intensity about every minute. The six Quebeckers showed their firefighter photo ID but were told it wasn't good enough because it didn't have a date of birth or expiration date, Mr. Hébert said. "It's gotten harder since 9/11," the fire chief said. "We don't blame the United States – they say they've got to protect their borders – but we were going over there to help. When you're answering a call at midnight, all you think about is putting on your pants. You don't think about taking your wallet."You pass through Rouses Point when you drive to Burlington Vermont via Cornwall, Ontario. Here is the Plattsburgh coverage. I heard a bit about this yesterday on NCPR as Rouses Point is at the north east corner of their coverage zone but they didn't quite say that it just seems nuts. In this St. Lawrence river valley region, we have cross-border doctoring, cross-border shopping, cross-border media and cross-border security. Doesn't it make sense to have that interdependence, to have that greater security?
Comments
Ben (The Tiger) - November 15, 2007 10:58 AM
I say, leave it to the Americans. It's their citizens who suffer -- Canadians can decide whom to let in for cross-border services themselves.
I see this as an excellent passive-aggressive approach. (<i>Oh, you won't let our guys in to help? Let's watch that inn burn to the ground from the customs house.</i>)
Alan - November 15, 2007 11:04 AM
I recall that Inn from driving by a number of times to and from the East Coast. It looks pretty snazzy so I expect someone my receive a statement of claim for negigent administration of public duty in holding back the fire department.
Gordo - November 15, 2007 11:06 AM
Al, keep in mind that fire trucks generally come with a water cannon. The poor customs guy was just keeping a big gun out of the country. ;-)
sean liddle - November 15, 2007 4:54 PM
But Gord, does that mean professional wrestlers must declare and register their arms when crossing said border?