The Sculpin
Nomad
Posts: 401
Registered: 9-3-2002
Location: Back in the Saddle
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Mood: Riding into the Sunset, looking for a sunrise.
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Why is it........?
Fred's board had an interesting thread on traffic stops, and it reminded me of something that happens everytime I return to the states. Why is it the
Mexican law enforcement, and the military, for the most part, are respectful, tolerant, and polite (even when they're trying to rip you off), and US
Border Patrol, as well as most US law enforcement and military, treat you like you're a criminal?!?! OK, I realize this is a broad brush. I have had
experiences on both sides both good and bad, but generally, I find it to be true. Are the mexican authorities being nice to me because of my perceived
lack of speaking skills? Because I have money? Do they treat mexicans the same way? Are US Border Patrol agents nicer to migrants than to US citizens?
Do I approach both sides differently, and my tone to them dictates how they treat me? Maybe that baja buzz we all feel when we're down there radiates
out to all we meet, and we're so depressed when we get back to the states that we treat the first american we see like crap? Hell, I dunno.......any
thoughts?
 
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4863
Registered: 2-2-2003
Member Is Offline
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Pretty much anybody
can get a job with the border patrol. Like those fired from mcDonalds, Walmart, etc.. Something tells me that these people haven't had the best of
lives so now that they hold a position of power, they are able to get there revenge by making others miserable!
Just a thought.
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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| Quote: | Originally posted by The Sculpin
Fred's board had an interesting thread on traffic stops, and it reminded me of something that happens everytime I return to the states. Why is it the
Mexican law enforcement, and the military, for the most part, are respectful, tolerant, and polite (even when they're trying to rip you off), and US
Border Patrol, as well as most US law enforcement and military, treat you like you're a criminal?!?! OK, I realize this is a broad brush. I have had
experiences on both sides both good and bad, but generally, I find it to be true. Are the mexican authorities being nice to me because of my perceived
lack of speaking skills? Because I have money? Do they treat mexicans the same way? Are US Border Patrol agents nicer to migrants than to US citizens?
Do I approach both sides differently, and my tone to them dictates how they treat me? Maybe that baja buzz we all feel when we're down there radiates
out to all we meet, and we're so depressed when we get back to the states that we treat the first american we see like crap? Hell, I dunno.......any
thoughts?
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Yes, ???????????????.......... remember pound for pound we have many more a__holes on the roads
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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I haven't been stopped by a U.S. cop or CHP in 10 years, treated well when I was. My only dealings with the border petrol is the stop when it's open
on hwy 94. Customs at the border while not usually friendly they have been respectful or at least not disrespectful.
Mexican police have been respectful and friendly.
Federales have been arrogant jerks when I had to deal with them on insurance matters.
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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I have never had a rude officer at the border crossing. but if you are ever mistreated you can request to see there supervisor.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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surfer jim
Super Nomad
Posts: 1891
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
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Another way to waste time there....and you name will go down on the "people to hassle list".....
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Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
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Mood: wait and see
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
I have never had a rude officer at the border crossing. |
I have. Several in fact. But to be objective about it, it's been something like one in ten over the years. The last time, I got sent to secondary
where a Kustoms Agent went out of his way to inform me that if I did not maintain complete control over my dog, he would have to shoot him. Chu was
on a leash and hadn't even growled. Was this necessary? I submit it was not. The guy just felt like establishing his buttcrack credentials.
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Oso
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
I have never had a rude officer at the border crossing. |
I have. Several in fact. But to be objective about it, it's been something like one in ten over the years. The last time, I got sent to secondary
where a Kustoms Agent went out of his way to inform me that if I did not maintain complete control over my dog, he would have to shoot him. Chu was
on a leash and hadn't even growled. Was this necessary? I submit it was not. The guy just felt like establishing his a--hole credentials. |
Oso I would draw the line there and need to file a formal complaint. that is uncalled for I agree.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4863
Registered: 2-2-2003
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Years ago
We were returning from somewhere down here and were pulled into secondary. Carol, my daughter, the dogs and our stuff.
We were used to the border but after 45 minutes without being checked, I was getting a little peeed. Especially since we were watching a group of
these "well trained" migras bullsheetin and doing nothing but blabbing the entire time.
So, one finally comes and my daughter ( about 10 or 11 then ) takes Amos out of the van on his leash. Amos proceeded over to the migra discussion
group, towing my daughter and lifts his leg on one of the officers.
I hear "get that dog back in the van, we have dogs that are trained to kill around here." She obeys the orders and it didn't take long before we
were in hysterics. Including the guy checking the van! There are some good ones working there, just few and far between these days.
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yankeeirishman
Banned
Posts: 1070
Registered: 3-5-2004
Location: Kalifornia
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it was some years ago.......
I remember the cop pulling me over. Red lights and all his drama Queen garbage followed. I was searched, and my car was somewhat spewed about after
the inspection. Sure, sure...my long hair and "Don?t submit to Authority" bumper sticker didn?t help either. It?ll be the last time I?ll drive through
Modesto! The south of the border authorities have never given me grief, in 19 years of traveling there. Now about them ol? Canadian border
blokes??..well?lets not go there, my story will just get worst!
What control freaks there are here. Don\'t believe that post you just read!
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4863
Registered: 2-2-2003
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" The south of the border authorities have never given me grief,"
It's the ones on the north side of the border that generally have the "Atitude"!
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yankeeirishman
Banned
Posts: 1070
Registered: 3-5-2004
Location: Kalifornia
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Echo in here?
What control freaks there are here. Don\'t believe that post you just read!
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Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
Member Is Offline
Mood: wait and see
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
| Quote: | Originally posted by Oso
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
I have never had a rude officer at the border crossing. |
I have. Several in fact. But to be objective about it, it's been something like one in ten over the years. The last time, I got sent to secondary
where a Kustoms Agent went out of his way to inform me that if I did not maintain complete control over my dog, he would have to shoot him. Chu was
on a leash and hadn't even growled. Was this necessary? I submit it was not. The guy just felt like establishing his a--hole credentials. |
Oso I would draw the line there and need to file a formal complaint. that is uncalled for I agree. |
Welllll... In all fairness, to continue being completely objective about it ... While Chu Foon rarely growls and almost never barks, he does have a
rather malevolent stare- somewhat reminiscent of Christopher Walken or Jack Palance in one of their psychopath roles. He is a black chow/lab mix
about 75 #. Most people and almost all Mexicans don't trust him and give him a wide berth. Those who don't sometimes get bit. I think the officer in
question sensed that Chu did not like him. He was correct. Back in NC, he briefly acquired the nickname "Chew Tires". One day in a supermarket
parking lot, he disobeyed me- I think he smelled a feminine "invitation"- and ran from the truck. Another redneck in a truck ran over him (without
seeing him, I think) and stopped when I came running up yelling at him. The guy's left front tire was on top of Chu's leg. He did not appreciate
this and proceeded to bite the tire, puncturing it. I heard the hiss and saw the tire deflating. In that instant, I knew if it went all the way down
to the rim, it would have to crush his leg. I pounded on the guy's hood, screaming "back up, back up!" The guy stared at me in shock, momentarily
not knowing what to make of this obvious madman. But then he did back up. Chu got up, I lifted him, put him in my truck and took him across the
road, where by pure luck was our family vet's office. Chu lost some skin, but his leg was not broken. The only other visible effect was some black
rubber residue on his two main upper "canine" teeth. On the way home, I saw the other guy's truck, still in the parking lot with a flat tire. I
probably should have stopped and offered to help change it, after all it wasn't really his fault. But I guess I was still too worked up about it.
Chu limped a bit for a few days but was otherwise fine.
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Oso
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
| Quote: | Originally posted by Oso
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
I have never had a rude officer at the border crossing. |
I have. Several in fact. But to be objective about it, it's been something like one in ten over the years. The last time, I got sent to secondary
where a Kustoms Agent went out of his way to inform me that if I did not maintain complete control over my dog, he would have to shoot him. Chu was
on a leash and hadn't even growled. Was this necessary? I submit it was not. The guy just felt like establishing his a--hole credentials. |
Oso I would draw the line there and need to file a formal complaint. that is uncalled for I agree. |
Welllll... In all fairness, to continue being completely objective about it ... While Chu Foon rarely growls and almost never barks, he does have a
rather malevolent stare- somewhat reminiscent of Christopher Walken or Jack Palance in one of their psychopath roles. He is a black chow/lab mix
about 75 #. Most people and almost all Mexicans don't trust him and give him a wide berth. Those who don't sometimes get bit. I think the officer in
question sensed that Chu did not like him. He was correct. Back in NC, he briefly acquired the nickname "Chew Tires". One day in a supermarket
parking lot, he disobeyed me- I think he smelled a feminine "invitation"- and ran from the truck. Another redneck in a truck ran over him (without
seeing him, I think) and stopped when I came running up yelling at him. The guy's left front tire was on top of Chu's leg. He did not appreciate
this and proceeded to bite the tire, puncturing it. I heard the hiss and saw the tire deflating. In that instant, I knew if it went all the way down
to the rim, it would have to crush his leg. I pounded on the guy's hood, screaming "back up, back up!" The guy stared at me in shock, momentarily
not knowing what to make of this obvious madman. But then he did back up. Chu got up, I lifted him, put him in my truck and took him across the
road, where by pure luck was our family vet's office. Chu lost some skin, but his leg was not broken. The only other visible effect was some black
rubber residue on his two main upper "canine" teeth. On the way home, I saw the other guy's truck, still in the parking lot with a flat tire. I
probably should have stopped and offered to help change it, after all it wasn't really his fault. But I guess I was still too worked up about it.
Chu limped a bit for a few days but was otherwise fine. |
remind me not to mess with your dog Oso
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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Gypsy Jan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4275
Registered: 1-27-2004
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Mood: Depends on which way the wind is blowing
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I second Oso
the job of la migra collects all kinds, but it seems to offer career opportunities to certain "closed-minded individuals" (cough, a--hole rednecks).
I can't add up the amount of times that, when going north by myself or with another female companion, that the conversation has consisted of
insinuations that my purpose for traveling to Mexico was, (Pick a, b or c, or all of the foregoing) a) "Why do go to such a dirty country, you must be
stupid"; b) "Why do you go there, you must be a drug dealer; or, c) "You must be a skanky hoar". This dialog is delivered in various degrees of
masking and subtlety, from obliquely offensive to downright racist and xenophobic, but the themes reman the same.
Also, I have been threatened with the immediate execution of my dogs on the spot, on more than one occasion.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
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bigzaggin
Nomad
Posts: 441
Registered: 5-27-2004
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Mood: way too ites
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Strange to hear all this...
Never had a single serious gripe about US Border Agents. Not that I'm often met with a warm "how are you!" but who can fault 'em for being a little
testy, crammed in a booth all day. My lone complaint would be that for some time there was serious inconsistency about crossing policy and what
constituted official ID...9 out of 10 agents would be fine with a CA driver's license where one random would insist I needed a passport.
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bigzaggin
Never had a single serious gripe about US Border Agents. Not that I'm often met with a warm "how are you!" but who can fault 'em for being a little
testy, crammed in a booth all day. My lone complaint would be that for some time there was serious inconsistency about crossing policy and what
constituted official ID...9 out of 10 agents would be fine with a CA driver's license where one random would insist I needed a passport.
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yes the job sucks. but they took it and they represent the U.S.A. and they should be friendly and polite or be fired.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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