I too have been inconvenienced by border agents and customs officials. When do I get my newspaper article? I really need that kickstarter campaign.
BINGO! You’ve got it! The Occam’s Razor answer.
I’ve been told by many people who cross the border regularly that if you manage to run into the wrong immigration officer when he’s having a bad day, you are going to have trouble.
I’m also told that in general the Canadian guys are worse than ours in this regard.