Canada continues to express skepticism about U.S. Homeland Security. Here’s the latest shot.
In this sad “security trumps trade” era of United States border protection, we in this corner have more than once used the word “paranoid” about certain government policies of our friends to the south. But the latest news from the frontier makes us seek even stronger language: “surreal” perhaps.
The New York Times reported last week that at the striking new border post at Massena N.Y. – just across from Cornwall, Ont. – workmen were removing from the exterior of the building the glossy, bright yellow, 6.4-metre-high letters that spell out “United States.” This identification of the country you’re entering is apparently a security risk.
The Times quotes a spokesperson for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency: “There were security concerns. The sign could be a huge target and attract undue attention. Anything that would place our officers at risk we need to avoid.” Courageously, however, the post will continue to fly the U.S. flag.
Few Canadians will be surprised to learn that the border agency is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, whose leader, Secretary Janet Napolitano, thought the Sept. 11 terrorists had come through Canada. Now she seems determined to enroll her whole country in a witless protection program.
