Don't they have freedom of speech in Canada or something?

Marcus Aurelius: Don't they have freedom of speech in Canada or something?

This isn't a free speech issue.

See...That's what happens in a socialist country!

We don't need no stinking Socialism! We need more hero's like Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck to bring this country back where it belongs to god fearing conservatives instead of all of you Obamabots. You can have your Socialized medicine in Kenya with him and your Dan Fogleberg and hula hoops. I just want my conservative cup and ball on a string and my insurance company which may or may not deny my services in the name of a buck.

So the question is this...Why isn't she asking questions about the 2010 Winter Olympics? Is she to good to report on them? I thought all of you hopey McChangey journalists liked socialized events like the Olympics.

12 paragraphs in before you learn she's a "Democracy Now!" journalist.

Not to excuse the Inquisition she got on the Border, but OTOH, to hell with her.

I see lots of quotes but not a single "Eh!" There is no way this story isn't made up.

Worthless country acts in worthless manner.
Makes sense.

Amy Goodman is a douche, me thinks this was probably overblown a bit.

This is only her side of the story, and nothing about her strikes me as especially credible. Maybe the Canadians can investigate and find out what really went on.

As a canadian, I am a little appalled by this and I know a lot of others are too. Too bad we're all so damned polite and will never actually do anything about it.

We are not putting our best foot forward as olympic hosts.

/I don't know what you're talking aboot.

Boo farkin Hoo
Border crossing agents are pricks, on both sides.

Why would the boarder guards question her, and how would they recognize her? Who cares about the olympics? They're neat and all, but really what's the big deal?

mama's_tasty_foods: This is only her side of the story, and nothing about her strikes me as especially credible. Maybe the Canadians can investigate and find out what really went on.

That's kind of where I'm at. I want to hear the border guard's perspective. If she was being douchey, they're likely to be douchey right back, just because they can. Hell, they might have harassed her about the Olympics just to be funny, assuming she couldn't possibly be attacking them, trying to show her they're wasting her time on something utterly irrelevant.

If she'd tried to pull any kind of "let me through, do you know who I am? I'm going to be late." kind of BS, this is likely what happened.

I'm Canadian, and all I can say is 'typical', I'm just amazed that she didn't get tazed or shot in the back of the head in 'self defense'.

Oh, and the other side of the story doesn't matter when you can't trust a thing that comes out of a BC officials mouth. The RCMP there burned that bridge, and Border Services never built it to begin with.

/You couldn't PAY me to go to the Olympics.

One thing I discovered during my time working for a major Canadian company is how arrogant asses Canadians are. Saying that a country has a right to control their borders as they see fit and I don't have a problem with this (assuming this is remotely true which I doubt). I've seen worse from other countries (that includes the US).

That's... uncharacteristic of our border guards. If it happened, it's appalling. But this journalist doesn't strike me as being especially credible.

She's from DemoCrazy Now. I'd like to hear the other side of the story. Guaging by some of her prevously recorded arrests, I'm reserving judgement.

Being known for conveniently being in the middle of where riots are being provoked doesn't help.

She knows that no one can prove whatever she says about the alleged interview is wrong.

Sounds fishy to me.

Troll_Master3000: Worthless country acts in worthless manner.
Makes sense.

Be more specific, less stinky.

So yeh want ta cross da boorder, eh?

What is the sound of dozens of baloney detectors going off at once?

Da Bum: See...That's what happens in a socialist country!

We don't need no stinking Socialism! We need more hero's like Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck to bring this country back where it belongs to god fearing conservatives instead of all of you Obamabots. You can have your Socialized medicine in Kenya with him and your Dan Fogleberg and hula hoops. I just want my conservative cup and ball on a string and my insurance company which may or may not deny my services in the name of a buck.

So the question is this...Why isn't she asking questions about the 2010 Winter Olympics? Is she to good to report on them? I thought all of you hopey McChangey journalists liked socialized events like the Olympics.

Not bad, I'll give you an eight out of ten. It's sort of a balance issue: you came on too strong, but you also managed to throw in a lot of different subjects in, so it evened out.

Good work, keep it up!

"Journalist" is stretching a bit, don't you think? She's a professional activist. A journalist reports facts and (perhaps) draws a conclusion, whereas she just goes into a situation with pre-determined opinions and objectives, then makes a big noise to try to push those opinions and objectives.

This is quite possibly the most one-sided article I've read in a quite a while. And yet, reading the comments, it looks like most people have decided to accept it as gospel.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that she's only telling a tiny piece of the story. Even the supposed quotes in the article ('You're saying you're not talking about the Olympics?'-Canadian border agent) are purely hearsay.

I'd love to see the border agency come back with an audio or video recording of the incident. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it showed that she was being obstinate and confrontational the whole time.

Sure its not as 'free' but at least obvious trolls like her and Phelps are kept at bay.

The borders aren't free.

What most likely happened is that the guards were asking her exactly how much she was being paid for her speaking engagements, told her how much she would have to pay in tariffs or taxes or whatever, and she tried to argue that she shouldn't have to pay anything and should have the right to earn money in their country because she just wants to. Border guards hate it when you do that.

the mexican border is easier, or so it seems.

More like, it was less than 5 minutes and they just wanted to know how long she'd be in the country and what she would be doing.

I smell an attention whore.

altxatu: Why would the boarder guards question her, and how would they recognize her? Who cares about the olympics? They're neat and all, but really what's the big deal?

True. Some hairy-armpitted "journalist" is going to somehow damage their precious snowflake olympics? Meh, meh and more meh.

Say what you want aboot Canada, but I've had nothing but good encounters with Customs and Border agents there. In the US, its hit or miss but I've dealt with some flakes and weirdos in the CBP.

I'm guessing she went into full provocation mode at the border stations as a low-risk way of keeping her name in the paper. Of course, I didn't read the article...

ModernLuddite: What most likely happened is that the guards were asking her exactly how much she was being paid for her speaking engagements, told her how much she would have to pay in tariffs or taxes or whatever, and she tried to argue that she shouldn't have to pay anything and should have the right to earn money in their country because she just wants to. Border guards hate it when you do that.

Or she said that she was entering the country for business purposes -- the first question they usually ask after "Citizenship?", and didn't have the appropriate documentation to show that she's authorized to work in Canada for an extended period.

The questions about the Olympics were probably more about determining how long she planned to stay in Canada vs. what sort of things she planned to say. (The Olympics aren't until February.)

Border Services are a well-known group of fascists. I'm not even joking. They've been known to confiscate and destroy stuff for no farking reason.

no2010

mama's_tasty_foods
This is only her side of the story, and nothing about her strikes me as especially credible. Maybe the Canadians can investigate and find out what really went on.

Other anti-Olympics activists have been harassed or prevented from crossing by Canadian border guards. They're using the border to stifle criticism.


Perducci
she just goes into a situation with pre-determined opinions and objectives, then makes a big noise to try to push those opinions and objectives.

That makes her different from the MSM journalists how, exactly? Because she admits it?

RanDomino: no2010

mama's_tasty_foods
This is only her side of the story, and nothing about her strikes me as especially credible. Maybe the Canadians can investigate and find out what really went on.

Other anti-Olympics activists have been harassed or prevented from crossing by Canadian border guards. They're using the border to stifle criticism.


Perducci
she just goes into a situation with pre-determined opinions and objectives, then makes a big noise to try to push those opinions and objectives.

That makes her different from the MSM journalists how, exactly? Because she admits it?

First thing I looked at on your link

The Olympic Resistance Network presents

A WEEKEND OF WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING
November 28th - 29th (Sat-Sun, 10am - 6pm each day)

In preparation for the convergence in February of 2010 the Olympic Resistance Network will be hosting a weekend of workshops on practical and important aspects of demonstrations and resistance. The workshops are free, food will be served and childcare will be provided. The space is not wheelchair accessible.

Centre for Socialist Education
(706 Clark Dr, Vancouver, Coast Salish Territories)

************************************
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH

10am - 12noon Media
A hands on crash course in answering tough questions by unfriendly media
hounds. Learn how to keep your cool and how to stay on message.
Manipulate the media before it manipulates you

12:30pm - 2pm Surveillance & Counter surveillance
A workshop on surveillance & counter-insurgency methods used by state
security forces to repress social movements, and how to counter them.

2pm - 4pm Know Your Rights
Basic legal information and advice on citizen rights when interacting with
the police.

4pm - 6pm Street Tactics
An overview of the different strategies used by protesters to protect
themselves and meet their strategic goals. A rough overview of manoeuvres
used by anti-globalization protesters to overcome security forces.

I'm sure there's a lot more "interesting" stuff there but I also noticed that they're not really wanting cripples there...I guess a cripple would mess up their provoking violence, manipulating the crowds and such.

I might die if south park gets a hold of this.

Don't they have freedom of speech in Canada or something?

No, they don't. Here's a quote from Dean Stacy, investigator for the Canadian Human Rights Commission: "Freedom of speech is an American concept, so I don't give it any value. It's not my job to give value to an American concept".

Da Bum: We don't need no stinking Socialism! We need more hero's like Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck to bring this country back where it belongs to god fearing conservatives instead BLAH BLAH BLAH LOOK I AM TURNING THIS INTO AN AMERICAN PARTISAN THING ONCE AGAIN BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY I SEE EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD

I really - without any hint of sarcasm or exaggeration - feel sorry for people like you.

RanDomino

no2010

Ah, yes, the 'non-violent protest' activists. Giving the government the excuse they need to spend on security.

Other anti-Olympics activists have been harassed or prevented from crossing by Canadian border guards. They're using the border to stifle criticism.

Which they do every time something important happens (G8/20, large petroleum conferences, environmental conferences, etc). Bad apples and good apples regularly get turned away. It's called 'duh'.

That makes her different from the MSM journalists how, exactly? Because she admits it?

Yeah, those damn MSM journalists, attending workshops on disrupting the events and attracting media coverage!

/wait, what?

The Gordie Howe Hat Trick: Say what you want aboot Canada, but I've had nothing but good encounters with Customs and Border agents there.

Fine, I'll say my experiences are exactly the opposite. The worst experiences I've ever had were with Canadian customs.

They apparently can't comprehend American companies having offices in Canada, so every time I fly into Calgary I have to spend 30 minutes explaining why I have a laptop, and no, I'm not selling anything or leaving software with any Canadian customer.

And by "can't comprehend" I mean "just farking with me for the sake of being dicks". Half of the oil companies alone in downtown Calgary have US headquarters (Halliburton, Schlumberger), so it's not like it is some crazy concept.

Also, I grew up on the Manitoba/North Dakota border, don't tell me that there aren't redneck Canadians who like to revel in their limited sense of power at the border.

Sounds like a case of 'no work permit'. It happened to me a few years ago. I was giving a two-day course to one of our Canadian offices.

When I crossed the border, they asked the usual question: "Why are you visiting". When I said, "training course", they asked "giving or taking". When I said "giving" they asked for my temporary work permit (which I didn't realize I needed).

Net result - I got sent to secondary immigration, where a nice lady explained that I needed a work permit if I wanted to teach a course, and then wrote one out for me.

Of course, I didn't rant at them, or maybe I just got lucky - who knows.

If you believe freedom of expression is only for people you agree with, then you don't actually believe in it.

Scorched Colon: More like, it was less than 5 minutes and they just wanted to know how long she'd be in the country and what she would be doing.

I smell an attention whore.

Rightwing whacko here. And I believe her completely.

More or less the same thing happened to me. Except they held me for three hours and then DEPORTED me.

The francophone retards running the remote crossing were convinced I was on a DHS secret mission to kidnap and render some suspected terrorist back to the US. The Mohawks working as security guards were cool and said they were dicks to anyone who looked government or military.

And yes they demanded to search my computer. FOR PORN.

I asked, "Dude, don't you guys EXPORT that stuff?"

turingtest: No, they don't. Here's a quote from Dean Stacy, investigator for the Canadian Human Rights Commission: "Freedom of speech is an American concept, so I don't give it any value. It's not my job to give value to an American concept".

Well, he's right. What, you thought your laws were universal?

We have something similar, but it's irrelevant here anyway, since she isn't being arrested for saying something the government dislikes in Canada.

Oh, and yes, we're free to close our borders to anyone we bloody well want to, thanks. There's nothing about being American that gives you the magical right to go wherever you want in the world.

Procedural Texture: If you believe freedom of expression is only for people you agree with, then you don't actually believe in it.

She's free to express whatever the hell she wants to. We even let her into the country.

Nothing about freedom of expression requires us, as a nation, to give foreign nationals carte blanche to spend as much time as they like working here without the proper documentation.

And this article is missing a ton of information. The border guards' point of view, for one. Like I said, if she was belligerent or arrogant when they started the process, they quite easily could have done everything they did just to be pricks. It doesn't make them pleasant people, but it doesn't mean there's been some horrible miscarriage of justice, either.

Journalist was questioned a bit and then let across the border. Oh heavens no, the horror.

Proof that border guards can be dickish on both sides.

They make up their own laws and you can't do a thing about it.

I will say though, they probably do this because US guards can really be out of line sometimes.

I can understand border guards acting like this. It's far from the only story like this I've heard. But ytf would they care about the Olympics of all things? I don't get it.

In other news, the 2010 Olympics will be held in Canada.

/been living under a rock

No_One_Special: I can understand border guards acting like this. It's far from the only story like this I've heard. But ytf would they care about the Olympics of all things? I don't get it.

The Olympics are taking place in hippie utopia this winter and they've been getting a lot of bad press. I guess someone's asked them to keep a lookout for dissent.

Geoff Berner's The Official Theme Song for the 2010 Vancouver/Whistler Olympic Games (The Dead Children Were Worth It!) (new window)

Just for the record, Amy Goodman doesn't count as "just another journalist".

She practices a kind of reporting that governments should fear, and we should all fear that one might succeed in silencing her and her kind.

Unfortunately, she does have something of an annoying liberal slant, which makes it all too easy for the conservative crowd to tune her out... But as far as the quality of what she presents, she's covered more stories (of the sort that we should all feel outraged about) than I can count, months or years before mainstream media caught on (case in point, "extraordinary rendition", which she covered a full 18 months before the networks, and indeed, personally gathered more information about what we really did than all the major networks combined even after they started caring).