Editor:
On the evening of Sunday, June 3, I had the pleasure of spending 3.5 hours at the Buck Board Saloon in Danville, Wash. with two other couples, one occupied my car and the other drove their own.
I was the designated driver and had one coffee and one tea.
Returning to the border, I was asked how long we had been down and where we went. I replied honestly and was commanded in to do a breathalyzer test. I had nothing of an alcoholic nature to drink. I presented the border person with the facts that I did not smell like alcohol, look drunk or act drunk and asked why I had been brought in. He said that 3.5 hours in a bar was enough reason.
I blew a 0.00. He gave me back my keys. I asked him for his ID and told him I would be filing a complaint. He refused to give me my passport back until I got back into my car and he could hand it to me through the window. Petty, insulting and an exercise in control. “I own you!” he was saying and I can make you jump like a puppet if I want.
Most of the officers at Carson crossing treat you with courtesy and respect. But I feel there are persons at this border crossing who have an agenda of their own and will use their position to further this agenda.
They may not like your lifestyle and will do whatever they can to change that, or to at least convey to you that you are not welcome at “their” border crossing.
These people see the world going to hell in a handbasket and they see you as part of the problem and themselves as the saviours.
If you believe you have been abused at the Carson/Danville crossing, or you have not been treated with the dignity you deserve as a Canadian citizen, please take a moment to provide the details and email them to borderabuse@yahoo.ca.
Phil McGirr, Grand Forks