23 people slain along Mexico-US border

And of course you have the obligatory BP agent asking where you are going and if you an American citizen.

I completely understand. I was pretty furious about being interrogated about our comings and goings through New Mexico and Texas in May. Not only the citizenship question but all sorts of other intrusive and police-style questions (all in the primary line).

I'm getting pretty tired of how they are trying to acclimate us (Americans) to checkpoints, roadblocks, and "papers, please" wherever we dare drive or fly. Yet doing nothing about the actual problem.

Exactly my feelings as well. Even though most of the time it's no big deal other than the inconvenience of the lost time, it's the whole concept that bugs me. A few years ago I was driving from El Paso to Carlsbad and got stopped at a smaller checkpoint. The guy was a real jerk, kept asking me the same questions over and over again, like, "where are you going, where are you coming from, etc.", besides having to show my papers.

As I didn't want to escalate the situation, I just remained polite and answered his questions, but there was a part me that wanted to tell the guy to STFU because this is not communist Russia.

I’m so relieved that I am not the only one. We had driven to San Antonio and then back along Big Bend and the borderlands. The whole national and state park area was fine and we met amazing people. But then we started seeing the BP lined up everywhere. I tried to wave to them but mostly they just ignored me. Fine.

Then we got to the checkpoints, and the Hispanic BP were so mean. “Where are you coming from? Why did you go? How hot was it there?” (trying to trick me) I remained calm and polite although I wanted to pull a Steven flight attendant :0)

We had my husband’s F-150, no tinted windows, empty except for a couple of small suitcases/duffel and shopping bags, pretty clearly not smuggling anything. Yet dogs are circling the truck (not just ours, everyone’s) and we have to be treated like criminals.

I was about to blow by the final checkpoint near the NM-AZ border. I was ready to take on the jack-boots and was angrily muttering under my breath to my husband (I was driving). This time it was a non-Hispanic guard and all he asked us was our citizenship.

The only reason I bring up ethnicity is because here in AZ they’re always whining and crying about how it’s the Hispanics being profiled. Well, based on my experience, it works both ways.

After we got back, I posted on our local board. A few other AZ posters said that all the BP is Constitutionally allowed to ask is our citizenship, after that nothing. But I’m not testing that. Plus, they mostly grilled/peppered us with questions BEFORE asking that one.

I’m thoroughly disgusted because my parents and grandparents escaped from Stalin. And here we are again, falling behind some sort of Communist curtain.

Thanks for letting me vent :0)

“I’d like Mexico to modify their Constitution to adopt our Second Article of Amendment (translated into proper Spanish of course) and thence to begin to arm and train their citizens to shoot violent criminals”

“The citizens of Mexico need to start with that guacamole chopper in the presidential palace. Mexico City is GZ for corruption in Mexico.

Why I’m afraid to say anything to the BP jackboots:

http://azstarnet.com/article_8b2348d9-0229-5830-ae50-8f995b7fa9b7.html

“Tempe pastor cleared in checkpoint confrontation”

excerpt:
“After he wouldn’t move to a secondary inspection area, Anderson says a state police officer and Border Patrol agents broke both windows of his car, shocked him with a stun gun, dragged him out and slammed him onto the ground.”

You want to really get ticked off? I travel to El Paso on a secondary paved road on the border and there is no permanent checkpoint. About once a year BP sets up one for a day or two. Guess which route the smugglers use? If you know the area you can travel from El Paso all the way to Nogales, AZ on paved roads without ever getting on the freeway.

It is really not rocket science that we need to secure the border—at the border itself.

A few other AZ posters said that all the BP is Constitutionally allowed to ask is our citizenship

That was true before Border Patrol and a few other agencies were reorganized under Homeland Security. The reality now is Border Patrol can ask you whatever they want, and do pretty much what they want (search your vehicle, etc.) and things can get very ugly for you if you don't comply.

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