Once, a couple of American Customs Officers boarded the train I was on and asked everyone to show their ID. When they came to me, I explained that I was an American Citizen and no I didn’t have any ID. They were pretty shocked and asked me how I could prove I was a citizen, or what would I do if they didn’t allow me to proceed. I explained that I would call my mother and she could vouch for my place of birth. After some time, the older officer asked me what hi-school I had gone to in California. “San Diegito Hi”I replied and they let me continue.

I scarcely believe I could get away with it now.

Nevertheless after living in Canada for well over 30 years, I am feeling increasingly uneasy about the policies and apparent paranoia of the land of my birth. This fixation on papers is, IMNSHO, one of the symptoms of this disease.

It is much easier to influence your constituents through fear, than lead them through inspiration. I find it sad that environmental degradation, global warming and fossil fuel depletion are considered less threatening to the well being of the USA, than terrorism!

Oh Well,
Good Night and Good Luck!
Elainna

Last year the Supreme Court ruled that a suspect in a criminal investigation can be required to give his name. But it has never upheld a policy of requiring ordinary citizens to carry ID and present it on demand.

I have to agree that this situation was outrageous and handled horribly wrong by the authorities. However, checking ID’s going into Federal Installations isn’t a vialation of anyones rights and it doesn’t constitute a search and seisure violation either as far as I know, but I have been wrong before.