A Grave Injustice...

[KrzyCanuck]

He was found guilty.

Bullshit. Bull-fucking-shit.

[b5kalad]

I would recommend staying against getting all your information from the various blogs. The local newspaper of where this sad event took place "the times herald" has better and more recent coverage. The most recent article is from dec 17th.

[FatalScab]

A grave injustice indeed..

[freethinker3161]

this is so fucking sad. i can't believe this could happen here, but this somehow does not surprise me. nothing does anymore.

[Neeboopsh]

not the first time something like this has happened. at the british columbia border, US customs agents beat and maced some other guy for asking why he was being hassled. authority figures often end up being huge dicks, and stricter punishment should be dished out for abuse of power

[swinewarrior]

it never happens to the muzzies

[TheAtheistPaladin]

All those cops need to loose their jobs and be jailed for assault.

[Vogter2100]

Same shit is starting to happen in Denmark.

[stealthbadger]

It's interesting how "non-lethal" techniques have become used with increasing frequency at the same rate as our civil liberties have been taken away - "for our safety," of course.

Politics matters, period. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

[Mahoivlich]

I have heard quite a few stories from Indians getting mistaken as muslims and reamed at the border.  Most times they are just refused.

[moety2]

Are you surprised? I am sorry this happen to your friend but you need a wake up call buddy. Stuff like this has been going on for so long it's practically part of the culture. The people that usually get this kind of injustice DAILY are minorities that ARE american citizens. Look up Gena 6 if you haven't heard of it already. I am not trying to compare one injustice to another but to point out stuff like this is old news. To often people don't pay attention until it effects them directly.

[Keippernicus]

"To often people don't pay attention until it effects them directly. "

You are absolutely right of course. I was pretty in the dark at how abusive the border patrol could be and I've heard about this stuff on the southern side but that things are so bad up in canada came as a shock. That said, you gotta pick your battles, man. Thanks for stopping by.

[moety2]

I hear you. But if you are against injustice it's not a matter of picking battles it's about fighting injustice everywhere not just when it's on your door step. Some argue how you go about that is by dealing the root causes of the problems instead of dealing with the aftermath. If you don't, the same thing will keep repeating itself and I completely agree. It's like cleaning up the water from broken pipe and never going to the source to stop the leak. I hope your friend can be cleared. GL

[snoman99991]

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me. -Martin Niemöller

Use that poem, it's very good for illustrating your point.

[Maphisto86]

Yet another example of injustice from the US border guard. My god . . . it is terrible to hear of such miscarriage of justice from the very people who we depend on to protect us. Police and military brutality against there own civilians is the work of totalitarian regimes and does not belong in "democratic" countries like the USA.

[Keippernicus]

God damn right. We are better than that and I am ashamed of my country at how often this bullshit happens.

[Maphisto86]

It happens plenty here in Canada as well, especially to Aboriginal folk. It happens everywhere even with a lot of oversight and reduced powers. You cannot argue with someone with a gun. Yet we need law enforcement but more efficient oversight is needed.

Still I have heard horrible things about the US border guard in particular especially in the south.

[dawn0293]

When I was about ten years old, I watched two officers confront my dad about a broken tail light after we had just pulled into our driveway. Asked him to get out of the car, handcuffed him, made him kneel on the ground and then sprayed him in the eyes with mace and hit him repeatedly in the head and back. I have always had a severe distrust and dislike of police officers after that.

[nixonfanatic]

Bollocks. I like Watt's writing, but I hadn't heard of this at all! I'll buy a book or three, send him what I can afford - not much, sadly - and favorite this. Well done, Kei!

Nix ~ thanks you for keeping us informed.

[Keippernicus]

Hell I've gotten like 6 copies of blindsight as presents over the years and just donated like 30 bucks for my free reading of the entire rifters epic.

I just can't believe more people aren't already aware of who he is and how awesome his books are.

[CommS007]

What the... o_O

[awreslr2]

I heard about this from Angry Aussie's YT channel. This is really a major embarrassment for the USA. I'd like to know what the heck those border guards are doing. As if law abiding Canadians are a serious threat???

I want a full investigation as to what goes on at the US Canadian border.

[Keippernicus]

Ah, I'll see if I can find the Angry Aussie, would you mind linking me in a PM or something?

[unknowndrone]

lol America sucks so much dick, but good fake war you cock bags got going on.

[Keippernicus]

Difference between gov't and people my good man. I can't wait to get out of Iraq and Afghanistan.

[10thAngel]

Wonder how/if FoxNews will report this?

[Keippernicus]

I can see the headlines now "Atheist Scumbag Canadian riotously beaten, terror plot thwarted in michigan"

Fucking clown shoes.

[10thAngel]

urgh I hate when Youtube doesn't give all the message of new comments. Didn't see this one in the message box =(

"Cocky Author Arrested!" Ya, know he just went cocky on them and swear and all dat ya know.

[pete975]

Only a news organisation would report this - not a bunch of PR lackies of ruling class who will saying nothing about abuses by the hired thugs of the ruling class except call their victims names and victimise them further.

[10thAngel]

Aka like allmost all news organistations in the rest of the western world.

[gordon1201]

Sickening... The people who are there to protect us end up being the ones harming us.. What is the world coming to.

[FantasmaBAnco]

Border police in the US are just complete bastards... did you hear what they did to Dr Lemur?

I never want to go there.

[10thAngel]

Dr Lemur?

[FantasmaBAnco]

/watch?v=Zz_bOFyTLuM

/watch?v=UiqcyivJivE&feature=c­hannel

[10thAngel]

aah yes, "lets inprision a guy just because we can and don't explain why"

[Keippernicus]

No!

[azumaninjay]

@Keippernicus I more ment in self defence. proly should have said that...

[Keippernicus]

I figured but that's more of a protecting the borders of your house/land than crossing over into a sovereign country. I just don't wanna read about you getting turned into a bullet sponge in the icy north next week.

[Robin12340]

Ugh as if I needed another reason to scared of cops.

[Xethavosh]

Subbed 'cause of this video pretty much.

[Keippernicus]

Thanks man, I do have like 80 others. But if nothing else just check out PW's backlist. It will freak your beans if you're not already a fan.

[hoodedmanxz]

They must not like his books I guess.

[tattooskin72]

Sounds pretty fucking insane...

[xNAgff]

Think about how fucked he would've been if he were poor and not well connected.

[Keippernicus]

Oh yeah, that's exactly why I want everyone SCREAMING about this because if it was you or me or any regular ol' citizen there wouldn't have been a peep about it.

[SexyMelon]

The authorities seem to be getting worse by the day up there, no?..

Although it may also be a factor that police force in US are one of the most neglected and stressed out groups there are, so it should be of little wonder they just go berzerk randomly. Doesn't address them getting away with it though.

[thereprieve]

What? How could this happen in Obama's America. Everything is supposed to be fixed now... he promised.

[Keippernicus]

Not really fair to blame one man for a corrupt local police unit but it is depressing how often you still hear about crap like this. Not that i expected an Obamatopia but I did hope at least that no innocent civilians would get beat up and kicked over the border in my lifetime.

[thereprieve]

The article doesn't say exactly where he was crossing over into Canada but as an avid border crosser myself, I know that there is no place to hide from the cameras. If he didn't do anything, the tapes will show that. If he assaulted an officer, the tapes will no doubt show it.

I too, cannot believe something like this would happen in our lifetime and I was only bustin chops about Obama.

One person commented on the article stating the obvious - you don't mess iwth the border patrol...

[thereprieve]

... if they say jump, all you can say is "how high?" and your feet better be leaving the ground before they begin their next sentence.

Best of luck to your friend though... I hope he is exhonerated of all charges and returned at least some of his dignity.

[Keippernicus]

Oh I know, I don't mess around with cops. Last time I got pulled over I had to tell the cop that I did have some weapons in the car 2 guns, an axe, a machete, 3 knives, a box cutter and a can of tomato soup "but i swear I am just driving to work officer" I thought I was gonna get curb stomped.

Still, last time I checked we're a free nation and no one should have to put up with such nonsense. I hope it all blows over but it's still a tragedy for this to happen to one of the most useful people

[bewarethelizards42]

When I went to and from Canada whilst living in the States, the American border control guys scared the shit out of me. Having questions barked at you by a big man with a gun when you're clearly just a single girl on a travelling holiday was a bit weird.

Unless I maybe have a suspicious face. That could be true.. ;)

I shall go check out the articles on Peter Watts. Sounds crazy.. :/

[Keippernicus]

He will seriously fucking change the way you look at the world.

[mbruck77]

This is a systematic problem. Foreigner have essentially no rights when entering the US. You even used to sign on the visa waiver card (this was replaced with an online registration a while ago) that you give up your rights to appeal any decision by the immigration officer. So you are at the mercy of an individual who's executive decisions are not subject to any judicial oversight. So the best advice at the border is to put on your nicest smile and when told to jump only to ask how high.

[Keippernicus]

Yeah, but whatever happened to 'get back in the car sir!' or something other than reaching for the pepper spray.

[mbruck77]

It went the way all professional conduct goes when people are not accountable for their use of their position of power.

[Widgetas]

From what I've heard of US Police/ Border Patrol (yeah I know, not the same thing) this doesn't surprise me at all. Not one bit.

I compare it to myself and a friend arriving back at Dover in a battered old Vauxhall estate car after driving to, around and from Morocco. Date: 23rd July '05 - the month London was bombed, nearly bombed again, and an unarmed man shot and killed on the Tube.

[Widgetas]

Two bearded and swarthy looking males were politely asked where they'd been, what they'd done, where they'd stayed, whether or not they had any drugs, guns or explosives.

When we laughed at the latter question we were told of recent events, politely.

Then we were allowed on our way.

No threats. No being talked down to.

Does this sort of thing happen in the UK? I doubt very much, if at all, that it happens in any other EU countries either.

[teaboyaudio]

This could be true, but is it fair to assume that Peter's story is true and the police officer's story isn't true? What basis was used to determine one person's side is correct and the other isn't? Is is based soley on your friendship? I would imagine the police officer would have friends that would insist that person wouldn't do such a thing base on their friendship. Let's try to hear both sides. If it turns out the officer was wrong, then charges can be filed. But an investigation is needed.

[Keippernicus]

Well he had a witness in the car to corroborate his side of the story and apparently there was video footage taken as well. But I do know this guy pretty well and while is writing is visceral and scary the guy himself is a teddy bear. I mean he's got a paypal account for donations to help take care of his sick cats. And he's a brilliant and pragmatic dude so imagining him stirring up shit at the border is pretty unfathomable. We'll find out though. And you're right to question of course.

[h8uall66]

That happened to pastor Steve Anderson at the Mexico border not too long ago. You may remember Steve Anderson as the "I pray that God kills Obama" and the "bring your guns to the President's public speeches" pastor. The guy that brought the AR-15 to the speech in Arizona and made national news is a member of Pastor Anderson's congregation. But he was beaten for asking like a crazy nut job at the border. The Canada border got pretty rough after 9/11.

[blurglide]

Great ad hominim. He still has 4th ammendment rights, and he wasn't crossing the border. It was just a checkpoint along the road. They gave me a hard time at a point that was about a 70 mile drive from the border (about 50 mile straight line)

[h8uall66]

First of all, the term you are thinking of is "ad hominem" and you are misusing the term. An ad hominem is a type of logical fallacy, which means it must be employed as a part of an argument. Simply stating Steve Anderson's crazy ideas is merely a presentation of fact. Now were I to say that he was wrong about "X" because of his crazy ideas, that would be an ad hominem. And no, he does not have a 4th amendment right. He lost that when the dogs started barking. You're right about his location.

[blurglide]

You're correct, but wasn't your implication to discredit him based on unrelated opinions he holds that you disagree with? I thought that was implicit- no real reason to bring it up otherwise. But, if you just wanted to give us an impromptu biography totally unrellated to the topic for some reason, I apologize.

[h8uall66]

Well my point was to reference something about him that would be easily recognized and those are the only widely recognized things I know about him. The point is so that anyone reading it will think "Oh that guy!" It's sad but true that people are often remembered for the bad stuff they do, and nothing else. I mean, Ghengis Kahn isn't remembered for his vegetarianism after all. I was trying to relate a similar account of brutality in the US and why it happened.

[h8uall66]

Now I find your assertion that I was trying to discredit him a little bizarre. What possible reason would Anderson need my help to discredit his character? We're talking about a man that has prayed for the death of the president and encourages others to do the same. Now of course, I do not believe that he deserved to be beaten, but he does freely admit that he did not comply with the officers when they informed him of the K-9 unit barking. Again, that does not excuse the officers actions.

[blurglide]

This story is not about Anderson being a douche bag. No contest there :). Still, he has fourth amendment rights, and the point is the border patrol is known for violating them.

The dog didn't do anything. He said the dog didn't do anything, and since nothing was found, I believe him. They were just making stuff up since this guy wasn't respecting their au-thor-i-taiy (which, based on the fourth amendment, they didn't have any- no probable cause)

[blurglide]

Come on- asking a question isn't a felony. What is the real charge?

The US border patrol are some real assholes down here by the Mexico border. I had a run-in with 'em once (about 100 miles from the border, too!) I think it is the favored career path for redneck bullies. Check out this border patrol brutality... watch?v=YUzd7G875Hc

[jamminjago]

nevermind.. you were just trying to be clever and didn't realize how much i hates the governments...

[jamminjago]

Sounds more like the us border patrol

[simsi1616]

This does scare the shit out of me. I don't understand why the border patrol isn't looking into this case more seriously.

Shame on you America.

I'll try to bring as much attention to this issue as I can.

Hope it all turns out ok.

[Keippernicus]

There's been a much stronger reaction elsewhere on the web and I guarantee that enough people get pissed and they'll want to make this disappear but still. It's a god damn catastrophe.

[simsi1616]

agreed.

[PT109Boat]

Thanks for posting this

[dopeskies]

i'm Canadian this type of shit tends to happen when u cross borders by car American cops are Bastards

[Keippernicus]

Word. Some of us are much more easy going I promise.

[samdavjunjun]

Wow, that is total bullshit. I'll try to spread the word in any way I can. I can envision this happening in Mexico where police officers expect you to pay them bribes, but in the US? That's just shameful.

[BILLYRUBAN]

this makes me feel deep shame for my country for all the freedom we preach, how could we threat our neighbor this way.........