[Bamboozled]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
I only agree with her to the extent that it is surprizing that a Customs Agent would allegedly treat PM's friend the same way she might treat a "profiled" person. As I recall Librasoul (I think -- hope I'm not falsly attributing here) agreed somewhere above that this is not racist under the context.

First, let me say that while Librasoul is cool as all get out, I don't see why you had to point out that she agreed with you. We are not the same person and don't always hold the same beliefs. With that said, I'm not saying that you or PM_Mama are racist for your surprise at the profiling, just that I'm amused that you're surprised. Like white people can't be terrorists. We ALL know that that's not true. So, let me ask you this? Is profiling a racist act? If so, then isn't the opposite also racist? To assume that someone is not dangerous because of the color of their skin? The assumption in itself is not racist, but at who's expense is the assumption made?

And to be 100% honest, I just don't like PM_Mama. If anyone else had started this thread, I would have gently disagreed. But knowing PM_Mama's background, I know I'm dealing with a person that admittedly embraces "prejudism".

By the way, the fact that we may or may not read something differently doesn't make either of us wrong or bad. I'm a little touchy about the, "Well, I'm not suprpixed," comment. I think there is an underlying edge to that comment. What, if anything, are you implying?

I never said you were wrong or bad. And I stand by my "I'm not surprised" comment. I don't have children and therefore have never been though childbirth. A mother who has been through childbirth would not be surprised that I can't understand the pain of delivery. I wasn't attempting to be condescending in the least and wasn't implying anything besides the fact that I'm not surprised because you're not directly affected.

Making some assumptions here aren't you.? Do you know that I'm a "white man in this country?" Truth is that I pretty much am, however I do have a fairly significant Native American heritage. That it has never been an impediment, so I'm not playing that card -- just wanted to point out that you're making assumptions about someone you know little or nothing about. What is more distressing is that I'm over fifty and heavily discriminated against in the workplace. However, that has noting to do with a Customs Agent being nasty, does it?

LOL, I did make an assumption, but it turns out that it was a correct assumption. And you're correct ... being over fifty and heavily discriminated against in the workplace has nothing to do with anything in this conversation.

As for the paperwork, I lived in Detroit and crossed the border many times and have never -- ever -- been asked for a birth certificate. It's real easy of selectively enforce "rules." That shouldn't be a surprize to you.

Again, see my comment above about her friend vis a vis profiling. It IS surprizing that a young white woman would be treated that way. There is nothing in that comment which in any way condones profiling.

The whole paperwork issue is the least of my concerns. But, as others have pointed out, we're living in post 9/11 times and it should be common knowledge to take proper identification with you, especially when travelling to another country.

You're right. He painted fences, too.

Guilty. I'd rather not deal with things that make me uncomfortable. However, as a manager, a father, a husband, etc., I can't hide from most of them. Attacking people in "public" generally isn't a way to further a cause or argument, though. It took me a long time to learn that. As for "healthy dialogue," I'm highly in favor of that, but, again, experience tells me that attacks accomplish little.

Poor attempt at humor.
Again, I don't truly feel as if I "attacked" anyone. The word attack connotes unprovoked hostility or violence and believe me, this was not unprovoked.

In terms of walls, they impede communications no matter how you look at it. They should be avoided whenever possible.

Finally, if you're suggesting that I'm ignorant, you may be right. I don't really think I'm all that intelligent, but I don't think that life's experiences have left me dumb. There's a difference.

Hope you are having a happy holiday season, despite our hopefully respectful disagreement.

Again, I'm not interested the whole wall concept. That's not my mission here. I actually wasn't referring to you with the "ignorant" comment. And as you pointed out, there is a difference between being ignorant and dumb. We're all ignorant about some things in this world.

No doubt that this is a respectful disagreement. It's always good to dialouge with people I otherwise wouldn't in real life. On that note, I hope you have the best of holidays as well.