US Investigates Border Hassles

The US Government has launched an investigation into whether Muslims and other minorities are being systematically harassed at Michigan international border crossings. We would like to add to that list an admittedly rather general, seemingly all encompassing, yet equally harassed group: any and all law abiding American citizens.

This is not to exclude Muslims and other minorities, or anyone else for that matter, from that class of people. A law abiding American citizen is a law abiding American citizen, period. To the degree to which they have been or are subjected to a more intense scrutiny, then they have indeed been more deeply offended. Still, one doesn't have to be part of a more offended group in order to be properly offended.

People at the border, returning to their own country at either one the crossings right here in Detroit, are routinely asked what can only be seen as provocative and insulting questions. Say what you will, to be asked where have you been, what were you doing, and how much money do you have on you (US and Canadian) are ultimately none of the government's business. We understand the reasons for the questions: to try to trip a person up in the search for wrongdoing or ill intent. We simply question whether that justifies the inquiries.

Particularly when we are asked, 'When was the last time you were in prison?'. Does that matter, when you are a US citizen who has presented to the border guard your proper and true credentials? Do you have no less right to re-enter your own country even after you may have paid the price of an indiscretion to it?

If and where Muslim Americans and other loyal yet minority Americans have been unduly and wrongly hassled, then that must be addressed and properly handled, to insure the future respect of all our people. Indeed, the right tone of respect must be addressed to all Americans of any stripe.

It has been said many times and in many ways that when we change our way of doing things solely because of the war on terror, the terrorists have won anyway. We must not allow that to happen. For if we do, we will find ourselves engaging in our own little petty acts of terrorism anyway. We will have made ourselves little different from them.