S2Kwhite,

No need to thank me for anything, I'm glad you gave me a call to let me know what was going on. I did try to get you some help, but as I told you earlier, my "contacts" just wouldn't because your situation was a little bit out of their control.

I am sorry you had to go through this, and as I was with some of the New England group this weekend, I did let them know that we will all get together when you do finally get down here.

I'm not sure how HIN actually turned out, as I ended up not going anymore since you were the main reason I was going... but from the few reviews I heard, it wasn't that great. And HIN didn't even take advantage of the whole facility. So if it's any consolation... you didn't miss anything. BUT... there is another big show coming. Import Xpression is coming September 13th. I will be there with the New England S2000 Owners and my car (hopefully). And I will also be the Head Judge for the show. So I hope you can make it to that one.

Best of luck with your battle with US Customs, as I know this will not be an easy one. If you have any questions or need my assistance on anything, please feel free to ask, and I will try my best to help you out.

Have fun and I hope to see you soon!

 

S2K White,

Are you sure you haven't left out some of this story?

Like maybe there were some seeds in the floor? Or you or your g/f mouthed off?

You have to admit, trying to cross the border with an Iranian passport in a highly modified car with dogs hitting on it could cause some problems.

Just asking.

 

the interesting thing with this thread is how (for the most part) posters who live outside the US or on the left coast are bleeding their hearts out over this situation.

it's not the first, nor is it the last time this will happen.

terrorist search or drug search, or a terror seach disguised as a drug search... it makes no difference to me. the officials at the border suspected something. they took steps necessary to secure the united states against threats. you're not going to sue them, you're not going to get an apology, you're not going to get any compensation.

if only the security clowns at logan airport had been this diligent on Septmeber 11, 2001.

btw-i though by the title of this thread, i thought that there was going to a brewhaha at the bookstore or something.

 

Ace, you ought to pay a little more attention to the whole thread rather than attempting to single out an "interesting" trend which doesn't exist.

Searches are necessary. Dismantling a kid's car and then sending him home with a box of parts is not. Put it back together like it came in if you find nothing.

UL

 

S2Kwhite,

Sorry to hear about what happened. It doesn't sound like the customs s necessarily suspected you of being a terrorist or anything like that...it sounds like they might've actually been looking for drugs. But, whatever the reason, it makes no difference, what happened is still crap.

Unfortunately, I don't think you're going to have much recourse. The government can pretty much do whatever it wants, and in the wake of recent events these days, public opinion supports it. I doubt you can sue (although I wish you could). In theory, what happened is screwed up, but in reality, it happens with frequency, and the assholes get away with it.

Anyway, I wish you the best, and hope things work out. For what it's worth, it really sounds like you ran into someone on a power trip who went totally overboard on the drug search. It doesn't sound like it's necessarily related to your being Persian.

Take care...

 

While I agree that there is no excuse for the border patrol behaving in an unprofessional, destructive, and insensitive manner, I believe that you're more than out of line here. The fact is that if you are from a known terrorist state that advocates the destruction of the US and the killing of Americans, then you will come under more attention than someone that comes from a country that is friendly to the US. This has nothing to do with any physical characteristics. Unfortunately, since documentation can be faked and terrorists or drug dealers lie, they can not just take someone's word that they have not been to Iran since they were three. I really hate it that the actions of a few bad people in this world end up putting good people through total hell, but please consider that the terrorists and smugglers are the ones to blame, not America and not conservatives. You are exactly right about human beings are human beings. That is what I believe as a conservative. While liberals can see no further than a persons physical characteristics in order to put them in this or that group, I believe that it is only what is inside that matters. If you believe that conservatives think otherwise, then you do not have an understanding of what being a conservative is. As for moving away, go ahead and pack your bags. I'll gladly pay for your one-way ticket to the destination of your choice.

I agree fully. Please do not think that the overzealous actions of some border guards mean anything more than they can't handle the power and responsibility that their job requires.

I guess that we should just open the border for all smugglers and terrorists to come in? The fact is that they have already captured quite a terrorists and have stopped several terrorist acts. This has saved lives!

 

Here come the political flames. Even within America, public opinion on current foreign policy is divided, and I think that's going to be illustrated here very shortly.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ultimate lurker
[B]Ace, you ought to pay a little more attention to the whole thread rather than attempting to single out an "interesting" trend which doesn't exist.

Searches are necessary.

 

I'm ashamed of this country and it's present administration.

 

As an American, I'd like to apologize to you also. I think what happened to you and your girlfriend was reprehensible and is against every principle in the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution. It's as if the customs buildings aren't on US soil.

It's not a conservative or a liberal thing. I don't think any conservatives or liberals want there rights violated. It's really hysteria about drug smuggling. The fed's can seize your home, cars, personal effects, property, bank accounts, etc. if you're spouses, 14th step-cousin 12 times removed is arrested for drugs. You can only get it back if you are found innocent of any wrong doing. If you're never charged, you don't get a day in court and you don't get you property back.

My guess is that the car was the reason for the search. I was stopped one time by a cop and he asked me if I was the CEO of my company. I'm thinking to myself "No, he drives a ferrari". I realized the cop didn't know the S2000, but figured it was a really pricey car. Like you said, I bet the customs guys saw a young guy driving an "expensive" sports car and figured they'd hassle you. It's near the end of the month and maybe they hadn't taken apart their quota of cars yet.