We Stand on Guard for Thee...Unless Bad Guys Come, in Which Case We Flee.

**Don Corleone** · 01-31-2006, 23:37

Amusingly, Goofball was totally right. In their relative defenses for their policies, the Americans and Canadians posting in this thread have highlighted the difference between the two.

Anyway, good luck with all our dregs coming your way. If they know you won't even bother to try to slow them down, where do you think they're going to high tail it to next time the heat is on? My guess would be the path of least resistance...

**Beirut** · 02-01-2006, 00:30

Originally Posted by Don Corleone

...the Americans and Canadians posting in this thread have highlighted the difference between the two.

For my part, I do not want the first Canadian a visitor to my country sees to be someone with a gun. Simple as that.

A cop ten feet away watching is fine. But the first person the visitor talks to should absolutely not be carrying a gun. It's not who we are and not who we want to be.

**Papewaio** · 02-01-2006, 00:35

Let police or SWAT deal with an armed crossing.

The guards are the eyes and ears, not the armed forces.

Security guards in Australia are generally unarmed except for those transporting valuables.

**Gawain of Orkeny** · 02-01-2006, 00:53

Security guards in Australia are generally unarmed except for those transporting valuables.

These are far from security guards. So is there a RCMP there to back up these guys and if so where were they this time? If not you guys are in real trouble.

**Papewaio** · 02-01-2006, 00:55

We also have state and federal quarantine guards and they are generally unarmed... unless you include beagles.

**Crazed Rabbit** · 02-01-2006, 01:06

I guess this underscores a fundamental philosophical difference between Canadians and Americans. If given the choice between engaging in avoidable armed conflict that will most likely result in loss of life but offer no real benefit, versus walking away from a situation and letting it diffuse to the point where it might be resolved without anybody ending up dead, Americans tend to choose the former, while Canadians prefer the latter.

Oh well. You say tomayto, I say tomahto...

So you wouldn't mind the guards walking away and then the crazies getting through and shooting up some crowded place like The Collosus movie theater or a wave pool in southern BC? Huh.

I think the real difference is that these Canadian guards seem all to willing to avoid conflict even if it means more trouble lately, an offspring of the naive belief that all violence is bad, unnecessary, and uncivilized. Like the above example; not confronting two fugitive murderers because you might kill them is best, despite the fact that they would most probably do great harm to innocents later on.

American guards, on the other hand, would put themselves in harm's way to stop murderers from escaping justice or injurying people.

@Gawain-
No, there's no RCMP cars parked there now.

What really angers me is how the Canadian's refusal to defend their borders means more fugitives will be speeding through Whatcom county trying to get to the land where you can force your way across the border with a pistol, knife, or working car.

Crazed Rabbit

**Papewaio** · 02-01-2006, 01:12

Modern economics requires the use of specialists.

The border guard specialise in import infringements and writing tickets, smiling and directing tourists.

RCMP specialise in chasing criminals.

Problems occur when non-specialists try to perform specialist roles. Also specialists without the correct equipment and environment may find it hard to perform their duties adequately.

**Crazed Rabbit** · 02-01-2006, 01:14

but rather with making sure no import violations occur, and collecting the appropriate duties/taxes at the border.

And what if an 'import violation' occurs, and the person refuses to cooperate and just continues through? What are the 'customs agents' going to do? Talk sternly to them as they drive off? What if a bunch of gangsters drive through looking for trouble? Your 'customs agents' would be powerless to stop them from going into the suburbs of Vancouver.

The difference is that we don't view ourselves as an armed camp that needs to be defended because we are surrounded by enemies who covet all that we have and want to make it their own.

Hmm. In the fantasy world that is the Canadian Psyche, there must be no such people as violent criminals or small time crooks acting independently of countries and nations.

Crazed Rabbit

**Goofball** · 02-01-2006, 01:36

Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

Hmm. In the fantasy world that is the Canadian Psyche, there must be no such people as violent criminals or small time crooks acting independently of countries and nations.

Before you start the country bashing, maybe you should look at the fantasy world of the American psyche: where line dancing is a good way to get laid, Iraq really did have WMDs, and Jesus would be in favor of the death penalty if he was here today.

Or maybe it could be that both of our countries are very different, and beliefs that may reflect reality in the USA do not reflect reality in Canada, and vice versa.

Do ya think?

**Strike For The South** · 02-01-2006, 01:47

Originally Posted by Goofball

where line dancing is a good way to get laid, .

man, How do you think I was made brotha

**Kanamori** · 02-01-2006, 01:48

At least we have proper dinner jackets and slacks in the States!

**Goofball** · 02-01-2006, 01:29

Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

So you wouldn't mind the guards walking away and then the crazies getting through and shooting up some crowded place like The Collosus movie theater or a wave pool in southern BC? Huh.

Riiiiigghhhhht. That's exactly how I feel. I would rather see women and children get shot full of holes than have our customs agents carry handguns.

Please dial 1-800-GET-REAL.

Can you tell me the last time one of your armed, violent citizens charged through our border and went on a wild killing spree that would have been prevented if only our border guards carried pistols? Would these be the same crack-head axe-murderers I'm always hearing about when pro-gun types are telling me why they need assault rifles for home defence?

Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

I think the real difference is that these Canadian guards seem all to willing to avoid conflict even if it means more trouble lately, an offspring of the naive belief that all violence is bad, unnecessary, and uncivilized. Like the above example; not confronting two fugitive murderers because you might kill them is best, despite the fact that they would most probably do great harm to innocents later on.

Sorry, but how were these customs agents going to have any hope of killing (or even slowing down) these fugitive murderers? Were they supposed to bore them to death reading them customs regulations?

At any rate, you are prefectly welcome to think that. And guess what? Luckily for you, you live in the U.S., and luckily for me, I live in Canada.

Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

American guards, on the other hand, would put themselves in harm's way to stop murderers from escaping justice or injurying people.

Yes, trained, armed American law enforcement officers would do that. As would trained, armed Canadian law enforcement officers.

But Canadian customs agents are not trained, armed law enforcement officers. They are there to enforce customs/excise regulations. Arming them and telling them to shoot it out with armed fugitives would be like giving an accountant agent a gun and telling him to go and capture people who don't to pay their taxes.

So please, don't go any further with your line of thinking that Americans are so much more selfless and brave than Canadians are.

There are cowards and heroes on both sides of the border, and whether you sing The Star Spangled Banner or Oh Canada has nothing to do with which category you fall into.