ZOT!!! Nine tales of a society scared into stupidity (Tale of a troll, zotted into oblivion)

Toronto Star ^ | HAROON SIDDIQUI

[BlueLancer]

"of"="off"

[glock rocks]

[Auntie Mame]

Even the meekest American is treated like sh## in many foreign countries.

You've got that right. I visited England in the early 70's and I barely (at least it seemed that way at the time) squeaked through their customs/immigration people after being questioned with far stupider questions than these for over an hour. Not only that but I had to show all the money I had and my credit cards. It was only after the shift changed and another "agent" took over that I was allowed entry.

After visiting the country for two weeks, I found it hard to understand why ANYONE would want to stay any longer than I did. I took a two hour alternating bath-shower when I got home. Apparently hot water in any quantity is scarce there along with decent food.

But the most noticeable and stark difference in America and England (at that time, I don't know if anything's changed), was the attitude of the people. Over there it was "Well, things are tough, we'll just have to learn to live with it." Until my visit I'd never noticed the attitude in America was, "Things are tough, we'll have to make them better." I prefer the American version.

I literally wanted to kiss the ground when I set foot back in America.

But the people were lovely and the fish and chips were great!

[ccmay]

That's nothing. You want to see a hassle, try crossing from the US into Canada in a pickup truck with a gun rack and an NRA bumper sticker.

-ccm

[fatrat]

i came under extensive scrutiny last summer while trying to enter canada via a lightly trafficed gate just northeast of Glacier National Park. My sister and I were in a small motorhome and both of us were carrying retired us navy identification cards in addition to valid drivers licenses. we were asked numerous questions, then told to park and come inside the station. there they photocopied all our identification papers and then called me into an office for about another 5 minutes of questioning, then sent me out and took my sister in for questioning. at that point i had had enough and i began to raise a stink. i asked how often american citizens were given this sort of scrutiny and got nothing but smirks, then i told them if they needed any other information from us, they could shove it because i was no longer interested in visiting their country and if i was allowed to do so would not spend one dime there if i could avoid it. they terminated questioning my sister and let us go. we spent just one day in canada and on the way out, we were asked just a couple of questions and waved on through by the american inspectors. i asked them if they had any idea why we were scrutinized so closely by the canadian inspectors and they said that at the gates with light traffic the inspectors have a lot of time on their hands and often tend to spend a lot more time looking at papers and questioning folks.

[Devil_Anse]

Yes--the people there are for the most part very kind (except London hack-drivers) and the people in Ireland practically worshipped the ground Americans walked on. (It was embarrassing.)

But the darn customs people are just on a power trip, I guess.

[Leatherneck_MT]

I'd dare say we weren't scared enough. As far as I'm concerned, every visiting Arab should be issued their very own tracking collar so that we know where they are at every moment of every day.

[redhead]

""I used to go all the time," said one, "but not any more." Thank you.
Close the border.
Let 'em enjoy each other's company.
DITTO"

Bean Go!

[dighton]

"Take it away, Øløf the orchestra leader."

[Alouette]

The last time I went to Canada, here is the conversation that occured between me and the Canadian officer on the other side of the border.

CANADIAN (Skinhead sporting a shaved head & tattoos): Bonjour! Bienvenue au Canada! (Excuse me? This is Windsor. Last time I checked, everyone there spoke English)

ALOUETTE: Hi.

CANADIAN: What's your citizenship?

ALOUETTE: United States.

ALOUETTE'S DAUGHTER: United States.

CANADIAN: Can I see your proof of citizenship?

(My daughter gave him her passport. I realized that I left mine in my other handbag. However I did find my voter registration card in my wallet.)

CANADIAN: Where are you going in Canada?

ALOUETTE: Toronto, to visit my son.

CANADIAN: Planning to stay long?

ALOUETTE: Just the weekend.

CANADIAN: What are you bringing into Canada?

ALOUETTE: Myself, my daughter, our luggage and presents for my grandchildren.

CANADIAN: How much did you spend on these presents?

ALOUETTE: Oh, I don't know. The receipts in one of the bags but I'd have to dig it out.

CANADIAN: Are you bringing any alcohol?

ALOUETTE: A bottle of Absolut that I bought at the duty free store.

CANADIAN: Is that also for your grandchildren?

ALOUETTE: It's for my son.

CANADIAN: Are you planning on drinking it all in Canada?

(at this point I was positive this guy is a #1 grade A @$$h*le. But wait, it gets better.)

ALOUETTE: Once I give it to my son, he can do whatever he wants with it (what I really wanted to say: Non of your freaking business!)

CANADIAN: What are you bringing for your personal protection?

ALOUETTE: Huh?

CANADIAN: Guns, knives, Mace, teargas?

ALOUETTE: I didn't know Canada was that dangerous.

CANADIAN: Any guns, knives, Mace or teargas?

ALOUETTE: No.

CANADIAN: What are you bringing for your personal protection?

ALOUETTE: I'm, uh, not bringing any weapons.

CANADIAN: OK you can go now. Enjoy your stay in Toronto!

[Former Proud Canadian]

Even I didn't know what that plate of poutine was, at first. Instant artery hardener.

[Bob Mc]

CANADIAN: What are you bringing for your personal protection? "

ALOUETTE: Trojans.

[Darksheare]

You're Whizzard from yesterday aren't you?

Buh bye.

[mansion]

Okay, I admit - I don't know much about "Zotting"...

What got this guy banned? Was it posting something from the Toronto Star? Or that he dared post it so soon after joining? Or that it portrayed US border security in a negative light?

Just need to know, so I don't get disappeared...

[ladyinred]

All these are signs of a society scared into stupidity.

Well honey, then you must be shakin' in your boots!