Toronto Star: New passport rule a surprise to Bush and Clinton

[tuvor]

The two men who preceded Barack Obama in the White House admitted Friday they had no idea the United States was implementing a new rule Monday that would require Canadians and Americans to have passports to cross the border.

George W. Bush and Bill Clinton were caught off guard during a 90-minute joint appearance in Toronto – the first ever by the two – when moderator Frank McKenna, the former Canadian ambassador to the U.S., spoke about how Canadians feel slighted by the new rule.

"I'll be frank with you Frank, I don't know about the passport issue," Bush told the crowd of 6,000.

"I thought we were making good progress on using a driver's licence to cross the border. What happened to the easy-pass card?"

Clinton too said he'd only heard about the passport requirement a day earlier, adding that in all likelihood most Americans were completely unaware of it as well.

...

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/642857

[MineralMan]

1. I imagine that Bush is surprised about most of the things

that were implemented during his administration. He should ask Cheenie about this.

Clinton may be excused, since they didn't happen under his.

[John Q. Citizen]

5. they are both out of touch. But excuse who you will. The other side does so you should follow their

lead.

[d_b]

2. so where's the video

of the bush/clinton reach-around fest? I haven't puked yet this week.

[Dennis Donovan]

3. Irony... meet the Ex-Presidents...

"Easy Pass?" Ex-Dipshit-in-Chief doesn't know that EZ-Passes will get you over the BRIDGE, but NOT the border!:eyes:

[Captain Hilts]

4. It wouldn't affect Bubba, but GWB implemented it because Canada is so dangerous, he should know. nt

[John Q. Citizen]

8. The bush admin put the rule in place, the Obama admin implemented it. It's 2009, right?

[Captain Hilts]

12. I was supposed to be implemented earlier. But the trucking industry got

a delay on passports for ground transit for a year or two.

You needed a passport to fly as of a few years ago. The requirement to have one for driving is new.

I drive the border regularly.

[John Q. Citizen]

13. True.

[Statistical]

16. Need a passport for cruise ships that stops in caribbean ports now too.

I think that went into effect about a year and a half ago.

[hedgehog]

6. My husband works for a company that rolls aluminum n New York that is smelted up in Quebec.

There's going to be a small problem starting Monday when the truck drivers from this side go up to Canada to pick up there loads and can't cross back. Their credentials haven't come through yet.


Papers, everyone show your papers.....

[John Q. Citizen]

10. I've been trying to buy an Amtrak ticket to Quebek for months,

but the system won't let you unless you have a valid passport number to give them.

I just got mine last week and bought the ticket.

[imdjh]

7. "New passport rule."

The way they say it, it sounds like this huge change. Then they go on to say:

"Once the new rule takes effect, using one of the following will be accepted: A U.S. or Canadian Passport, A U.S. Passport Card, A Trusted Traveler Card or an enhanced driver's license, which is offered by a limited number of states and provinces. Washington State does offer Enhanced Driver's Licenses.

There are exceptions to the rule. Those under the age of 16 can still show a birth certificate at the Canadian boarder for exit and re-entry."


The enhanced drivers license is the kind we have in Florida (where there are a lot of legal aliens in residence full or part time).

[Gormy Cuss]

15. Haiving grown up in a state bordering Canada, it IS a big change.

One could satisfy the border inquiries with a birth certificate if under age 18 or for adults, a standard (not "enhanced") drivers' license or other ID and a birth certificate, even back when most drivers' licenses didn't include photos.

There also wasn't an automatic criminal records check.

[imdjh]

17. The most ridiculous border crossing is the Maid Of The Mist.

You get on a boat. Go out into the river. Turn around and come back, and then have to pass a border guard. Granted, he's the moral equivalent of a Walmart greeter, but all you have to do (when last I did this) was state your country of citizenship.

The enhanced drivers license is now the standard license here in Florida, so I don't imagine it will be too long before it's universal. The point being that Americans and Canadians apparently will not be required to show a passport to cross the border if they have another acceptable form of ID.

[hedgehog]

19. The guys at the Niagara Falls and Buffalo border stations may look like

Wal-Mart greeters, but believe me, they know their stuff! I'd trust a sharp eyed Customs agent over a piece of paper any day!

[Captain Hilts]

21. I used to go through blaring "Immigration Man" on my car stereo. They started to remember me and

once, when I had two cases of Utica Club beer with me to give friends, the woman who recognized me said "You're only allowed one per person, but go ahead." They were always nice.

Then, about four years ago I started getting the paperwork version of the Full Body Cavity Search. Going into Canada, going into the US. This is at the 1000 Islands. Time before last heading into the US, I was "randomly" chosen for a garage search. I walked in and told them they'd picked the perfect person for the garage search as I have gotten good at it because I get "randomly" chosen so often. They went through all my papers and punched things into a computer and then said, "you're right, we don't need to search you, have a nice day."

I'm told the US and Canada are sharing their records now.

[Gormy Cuss]

20. The economy of many border communities is built on easy passage.

The border guards know most crossers by sight. It's quite common to cross the border for groceries, or dentists, or other little every day tasks. The new rules are a PITA and will make work without dubious effects on the level of security.

Yes, it will be possible to cross the border without a passport, but until recently nothing as stringent as a passport was required and now it is.

[WolverineDG]

25. For those of us who live on the border, it IS a big change

and a major expense for families, especially those who have members on both sides. Above the age of 13, EVERYONE has to have a passport or a passport card, which means 2 photos each (around $10 per person), a separate application, & separate fees. All just to do what we normally do, go across to shop or have dinner or visit family along the border. Stupid Stupid Stupid

dg

[grasswire]

9. I thought criminals couldn't enter Canada.

I remember that Chuck Colson was not allowed to travel to Canada in the 1980s or early 90s. I think they are pretty strict about that.

Bush, of course, has a DUI under his belt, at least one other arrest that we know of, and a probable drug arrest that has been covered over.

To say nothing of the war crimes, but there are no arrests or convictions for those -- yet.

[imdjh]

23. Bush has a diplomatic passport.

[Stinky The Clown]

11. This is what happens when Stupid's stupid takes on a life of its own

Homelanders Run Amok

[onehandle]

14. So what? Bill is right. Most people would be completely unaware. nt

[Captain Hilts]

22. There's no reason Bubba would be familiar with this. I imagine when he

flies into Tee Oh they just waive him through.

What kind of passport would he have? Any guesses? Diplomatic as an ex prez or regular or one of each? I've no clue.

He's still got a security detail, perhaps they handle it.

[hedgehog]

18. The worst part about all this? After everyone gets all their papers in

order, entry into the US will be streamlines. As it is now, a customs guy comes around and eyeballs everyone in the car, asks a few questions and either admits you or pulls you over for a deeper inspection. I think these guys have a pretty good handle on things. They didn't blink at one co-worker who is a naturalized citizen from India. They didn't even ask to see his green card or citizenship papers. He was US Citizen, he knew it and they saw no problems. My boss, on the other hand, had a trunk load full of booze. He thought he was doing something illegal, and they pulled him over for a thorough check of car and contents. (It turned out he was within the import limit, but he didn't know that and acted guilty as hell!)

Under the new system, eventually if the car or truck has the proper tag, you'll drive right through with no interference from a human being. So, if you want to smuggle someone or something into the States, just hijack the right vehicle or forge the right sticker!

[WolverineDG]

24. More proof Cheney was in charge nt