aphid

To quote you - "While I appreciate what you are trying to do, there are a few key points that you are missing:" Of course I was being tongue-in-cheek, but I do wish your civilian population and media was more aware of the significant number of legitimate retired Canadian vacationers/visitors that are now being refused at your northern border, denied entry (and sometimes outright banned) because CBP alleges they are entering to "work" surreptitiously and illegally. From the 70 year old geezer with his winter home in FL who was banned for 5 years because he had a very basic hand-tool kit in his automobile trunk. Or the equally-retired skydiver who has wintered annually in Eloy since 1993, but couldn't convince CBP that nobody was paying him for his video jumps, and is now the recipient of a 5year ban. Did I mention that these people have no legal recourse via the US Courts to challenge CBP's allegations? * But of course! #5 Orange ROCKS!, but I hear they closed the Yale last year (if you're in the Okanagan, try Cheetahs in Kelowna - they've picked up the clientele after world-famous Slack Alice's burned down last year) John ETA: * (I can't even get the legal-beagle skydivers that post here to take even a sniff of interest in this denial of Habeas Corpus rights as guaranteed by your Constitution)

And my first encounters (numerous) with "illegals", were the abundant numbers of conscientious-objectors from 1968 through 1971 that entered Canada, and were met with compassion, understanding and acceptance. Many still choose to live here even after the official American amnesty granted them by the US government. Many have made some very positive contributions to our country.

HEY, WAIT A MINUTE! Do they have green-cards? You should arrest and deport every last one of those illegals! http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/ontario-hydro-sending-200-workers-to-join-us-power-restoration-efforts/article4385817/ (sarcasm fully intended)

Pretty simple - if, for example, a tourist is here legally from Yokohama, constitutional safeguards that are not specific to U.S. citizens still apply. Not quite so simple. If you're a tourist standing on US soil at a US Port of Entry intending to enter legally, and the US Customs convert your request to attempting to enter illegally, your access to challenge/appeal the over-reach to the US courts via Habeas Corpus (as embedded in your Constitution) is categorically denied. So far. But still fighting. :) John

Yes. But damn, they ARE sexy! (This one is owned/flown by the former chief-pilot for my skydive aircraft. Image captured above Okanagan Lake in BC, Canada)

Thank you for your candid reflection. In my country we are currently having a debate about the budget for specific new military hardware. I'm of the opinion that we could shelve just one F-35 jet and pay for every bit of assistance our soldiers might require after returning from a hostile environment. I hope your civilian friends repeatedly express their gratitude and support for your service.

Amidst all the noise about Occupy Whatever, Romney vs/Obama, tax cuts vs increases, Fox vs MSNBC, I hope news like this motivates you and yours to be serious about supporting your soldiers. They could use it... http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/06/07/us-soldier-suicide-war.html John

I cannot recommend Peart's "Ghost Rider" enough. I gift about 4 copies a year to friends when they are struggling with loss or personal demons. Reading as a man deals with and ultimately recovers from the tragic losses of his daughter and his wife is as cathartic an autobiography I've encountered. His words are eloquent and resonant, the support of his bandmates and famous friends is refreshing. If you're ever in pain, or if you're just a biker, try it. Great work. Oh, and I love their music. :) John

This word is used quite commonly in this topic. Pardon my foreign ignorance, but what does that catch-all actually define/describe? Thanks John

My lack of knowledge and tiredness contributed to me in the body scan. It was middle of night and airport empty. They just said step over here and then the doors shut. I was in there before I could even ask for patdown. They should be required to ask if you want body scan or patdown before they send you in. +1 and then ask again. and then be willing to stand in the chamber with you if it is so "safe". BEST response I've heard in years!

Do your jurisdictions not have court-ordered mediation/arbitration?

hmmm. bureaucrats refusing to acknowledge that the elected gov't has changed the law. refreshing. yeah, right, I guess I didn't see that.... Sadly, what is lost in this exchange about the specific law, government and independent provincial CFO's is that the Conservatives made it one of their campaign pledges to remove the long-gun registry. A significant majority of the electorate placed them in power. So my issue is that these uniformed bureaucrats are not just in contravention of a legitimate Law of the Land, but one that succeeded on the will of the citizens.

Nice play.

From the outside looking in, I think there is a distinct possibility that if both men use their oratorical and debating skills and stay away from partisan cheap-shots, portions of any debates between stand a reasonable chance of being very interesting, even bordering perhaps on rather intelligent. I, for one, look forward to it in that case. If I'm correct however, the debates will only be followed by a small segment of the electorate.

Some bio info from a separate website: ABOUT THE DIRECTOR: James Vong is an aspiring film maker attending Grand River High School in Kitchener, Ontario. He enjoys all aspects of production and is completely immersed when working on any of his projects. Gaining his inspiration from music videos where the director’s skills are tested by their ability to tell a story within a short amount of time. James enjoys producing many youth outreach videos because he wants his video to have an impact on its viewers and spread a strong message. IMHO, very well done. Hope you enjoy them. http://vimeo.com/35531176 http://vimeo.com/35531919

Positive earth with Lucas equipment... you have no alternative but to service it yourself ! (grin)

Formerly just a heartbeat away from the leading the entire free world. Damn those uppity Canadians... "Cheney has cancelled an April appearance in Toronto citing concerns that Canada is too dangerous." Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/news/Canada+dangerous+visit+Cheney/6292701/story.html#ixzz1p3d9Bb1V http://www.theprovince.com/news/Canada+dangerous+visit+Cheney/6292701/story.html#ixzz1p3aPrpri

Spoke to a friend who owns a fleet of LR's and has about 14000 hours flight-time. He says there are two possible fixes: 1) Because it is an A-Star, the pilot could have tried to immediately get off the throttle with the rotor brake system "possibly" saving the day. He figures that is about a 50/50 shot at best. 2) In any helo, the fix is to load the rotor immediately to synchronize the blades. If caught soon enough, the helo may not have to actually lift off. He also said that the window of opportunity for the pilot is about 4 seconds.

In my sick 'n twisted mind, this actually might have a positive law enforcement impact. Imagine if you will, Johnny Scumbucket notices you have a fairly good arsenal and decides to liberate you of your weapons to augment his criminal enterprise. He comes for a snatch-and-grab and is met by the lawful owner/resident pointing the business end of one of his toys. Lawful owner keeps stuff. Cops/Court exempted from having to chat with Johnny Scumbucket ever again. Could be a win/win? (Disclaimer: I'm Canuck and don't much care for guns)

For your reference: source (one of a few):http://www.weeklyvoice.com/world-news/immigration-makes-canada-no-1-in-population-growth-among-g8-countries/

If you believe that, it's sad that common-men are so willing to concede defeat.

If you want to know how a story ends, frequently you need to know how it started. The explanation of how it began gives you a pretty big clue as to why it's not ending. Having asked for specific clarification for my own education and receiving none, I attempted to teach myself some history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aviation_and_Transportation_Security_Act Perhaps I'm too stupid, but I read suggestions here it's because of "regulation" of the airline industry, even though it was deregulated in 1978, or that it's lobbyists and businesses that created it. What I see, rather, is the result of a massive knee-jerk reaction in 2001 that hasn't fixed anything, apparently hasn't prevented anything, has cost your nation (and countries wishing to fly to and within the US) a load of money and massive inconvenience and continues to grow unabated courtesy of the DHS. And it won't change, in my opinion, not because of those bad lobbyists, or businesses, or either because of less or more regulation of airlines, but simply because too many people still buy the message that they are being kept "safe", are more concerned they have power for their Prius, a Big Mac is still under $2, and America is still the world's best (pick pronoun). That's just my opinion. I was hoping to solicit alternative viewpoints for me to consider objectively. John

Sadly, even with a Freedom Of Information request, you may have more success in determining the number of iPads they've stolen. I'm curious. Just "when" are the American's going to "take their country back?" (Sorry, I'm a sucker for catchy slogans)

Correct. The Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which created the laughable TSA, was, in point of fact, written by airline lobbyists. It's the same with every industry that is "regulated" by the government. Corporatocracy at its finest. Wow. This has certainly derailed from the original question, which wasn't about who is to blame, but is it EVER going to be fixed? Regardless, I may need a History Lesson here. I seem to recall the US airline industry was deregulated in 1978. This, because our carriers began immediately whining they couldn't compete with unregulated US companies serving large airports just across the border*. Seattle, for example. Or is the suggestion that ANY regulatory oversight is wrong? Say, like Annual Inspections, or FAA pilot licensing requirements. And that's what is to blame for the exponential growth and onerous actions of TSA against the flying public? *ETA: Which, as it turned out was nonsense. We have just as many Carriers as before, and they are, on balance, financially stronger.

That would be overkill. Literally. I guess the sarcasm failed to be visible dripping from my sentence Absolutely no argument from me on this. I venture things won't change much until the pandering of keeping the citizenry safe fades from the average mindset.