the webmaster thinks carlos is making up this stuff
Date: Mon, 03 Apr 2000 10:40:23 -0700
From: carlos@THERIVER.COM ("Carlos A. Alvarez")
Subject: The strategy of encroachment
To: AZRKBA@asu.edu
Some on this list may remember, or have read about, what happened when the
social security ponzi scheme was first suggested. There was a national
outcry at the thought of everyone being forced to have a national identity
document. There was also the outcry against the obvious pyramid nature of
the proposed social security system. To quell this, and pass the scheme,
lawmakers assured us that it would be strictly voluntary (except for
railroad workers, whom the scheme was originally intended for), and that it
would NEVER be used for identification. Where are we today?
A similar pattern emerged when the driver's license was suggested. Of
course, then it was proposed as merely a convenience for the traveler, and
for his own protection. Slowly it was required for a few more things, and
insurance companies popped up to offer to "protect" you from the acts of
reckless drivers. Of course, these guys wanted a way to keep track of you,
so they required the newfangled license in order to provide you the
"benefit" of insurance. Look where we are today.
What has brought about this reminiscing? The current example being set by
our friends in green, the Border Patrol division of the INS. Many years
ago INS, and its enforcement division, were created to "protect" us from
the scourge of those damn foreigners. Americans being xenophobes to some
extent, liked the idea. They would only be on our borders keeping out the
undesirables, of course.
Here in Arizona, a novel experiment was tried about ten years ago. They
moved away from the border, and set up checkpoints in a few places on roads
that lead from the border. Just North of Nogales and Douglas are a couple
of them. But they were only a couple miles North, just to catch any
wetbacks that should jump the fence and then get on the highway. You know
how many starving, desperate Mexican border-jumpers have cars, right? Of
course, they were also there to "protect" us from the evil Evil EVIL drugs
that are brought into the country. I guess someone forgot to add the "D"
to "Immigration and Naturalization and Drug Service", INS.
This went on for a few years, and then they tried another experiment. They
moved many miles North, to Peck Canyon road. This, purportedly, so they
could catch even more of those Mexicans who throw their cars over a fence
and then drive across sand, onto the interstate in searh of the American
Dream.
Sure, there were some complaints about racism and profiling. Well, if
you're at a checkpoint looking for Mexicans, how can you claim with a
straight face that you're not?! Of course, much like Cheech Marin learned,
it doesn't matter if you were born in East LA. If you look the wrong color
you are asked for your traveling papers. But the complaints were washed
over, the media got bored, and hell, it was just those damn Mexicans
complaining anyway.
So this past Saturday, the experiment reached Phase Three. They moved
again, this time about 50KM within our borders. This puts them about half
way to Tucson. Who wants to bet me against me that one day I'll be driving
down Valencia and be forced to stop for an immigration and drug
checkpoint? I'll give you odds. Real high ones.
This is all part of getting us accustomed to police presence, checkpoints,
showing our papers, and having our property and persons searched. You see,
we're a nation of lazy people, and conformists. As long as it doesn't
surprise us, we'll go along with anything.
I'm not lazy, and any of you who have met me in 3D would hardly call me a
conformist. I'd like to apply a little pain and pressure on the Border
Patrol. I need about fifteen people who will join me in writing a few
letters to the media, and Border Patrol themselves. Also, someone with
experience with FOIA requests is critical. If you will help me, and I
promise to make it as easy as possible and not too time-consuming, please
e-mail me PRIVATELY, not on the list.
Now for some fun, a transcript of my encounter with the checkpoint guys on
Sunday is below. They were waving everyone through when I came back from
Patagonia on Saturday, but stopping everyone and looking in/under cars on
Sunday. Warning, strong language ensues, which I used for effect, to
express emotion, and to put them on the defensive.
BP: Hi.
ME: (With arm outstretched) SIG HEIL!
BP: What??
ME: Just saluting Der Fuhrer's good soldier, out here looking for the
Unclean and their contraband.
BP: Sir, I don't think that's necessa...
ME: I'll tell you what's fucking unnecessary, is a dozen of you assholes
sitting around on your asses here leaching your living off the sweat of
honest Americans, now THAT'S fucking unnecessary!
BP: Sir, I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't use such lang...
ME: Yeah, and I'd fucking appreciate it if you wouldn't harass citizens
who are traveling peacefully.
BP: Sir, we're just trying to do a job out here.
ME: BULLSHIT! For one thing, your job is t patrol the borders, see how
that's right on your badge there? Not to sit up here and harass traveling
citizens. And two, when the Nazis went on trial in Nuremburg the "we're
just following orders" defense didn't work, did it? (The officer's name
was Helman...I love irony.)
BP: Sir, can I ask you to pull up over there and speak to my supervisor?
ME: Ask all you want, won't mean I'll do it.
BP: Sir, I have to insist that you...
ME: And I have to say, "Fuck off." Look, what are you going to do if I
refuse to cooperate, if I just leave?
BP: You really need to just pull over and talk to him.
ME: No, what I really need is to get home and... (Supervisor walks up, and
is now speaking to the officers standing by my car. I get a map out from
the door pocket and unfold it. He comes to talk to me.)
BP: What seems to be the problem here?
ME: You guys are fucking lost!!
BP: Excuse me?
ME: (Holding map of AZ) See this? This is Mexico, and this, this is the
border. Up here is the land we USED TO CALL AMERICA, until you worthless
assholes turned it into Germany.
BP: Look sir, never mind, why don't you just move along now.
ME: (Deflated, I rolled up the window and dropped the accelerator.)
--
Carlos Alvarez, Tucson, AZ, USA, Earth, Sol System, Milky Way Galaxy
http://www.neta.com/~carlos
"Duct tape is like The Force. It has a light side, a dark
side, and it holds the universe together..."