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TechnographBlaming Canada and how good fences make good neighbors
By Sujay Kumar
Posted: 1/26/07 Section: Opinion Columns
Oh Canada, our friendly neighbor up north. From the beaches of Normandy to Shania Twain, the Canadians have always been a loyal friend of the United States. What better way to return this neighborly love then by constructing a 15-foot-high, 5,500-mile-long, steel mesh, barbed wire-covered fence along the border?
A fence would provide security to the United States from those trying to sneak in from Canada to spread terror or work illegally.
Eh? Are the Canadians a threat to the United States? Our friends in Mexico haven't taken too much offense regarding the proposed fence for their border. But then again, they also have had no say in the issue.
In the Secure Fence Act of 2006, the Department of Homeland Security announced that within 18 months, surveillance technology and personnel would be improved to ensure full control over all of our borders. The bill also approved the construction of a 700-mile fence along the Mexican border.
Former Mexican President Vicente Fox has compared the proposed fence to the Berlin Wall. Rocky Balboa himself (Sylvester Stallone) has said that nations should be able to interact without walls. Seems simple enough, but it's never that easy.
The symbolism of a fence or a wall has always been a loaded idea.
The Berlin Wall separated communism from capitalism. The Great Wall of China was built to keep the Huns out. The Israel security fence was made to defend against violence.
So if there's a fence between Mexico and the United States, shouldn't there be one for the Canadians?
Less than five percent of the estimated 20 million illegal immigrants who currently reside in the United States hail from Canada while 57 percent are from Mexico, according to a study by the Pew Research Center. On the other hand, the United States' border with Canada is almost three times the size of the Mexican border, which means more possible entry points. Furthermore, Canada has actually had some recent terrorist threats.
A fence would provide security to the United States from those trying to sneak in from Canada to spread terror or work illegally.
Eh? Are the Canadians a threat to the United States? Our friends in Mexico haven't taken too much offense regarding the proposed fence for their border. But then again, they also have had no say in the issue.
In the Secure Fence Act of 2006, the Department of Homeland Security announced that within 18 months, surveillance technology and personnel would be improved to ensure full control over all of our borders. The bill also approved the construction of a 700-mile fence along the Mexican border.
Former Mexican President Vicente Fox has compared the proposed fence to the Berlin Wall. Rocky Balboa himself (Sylvester Stallone) has said that nations should be able to interact without walls. Seems simple enough, but it's never that easy.
The symbolism of a fence or a wall has always been a loaded idea.
The Berlin Wall separated communism from capitalism. The Great Wall of China was built to keep the Huns out. The Israel security fence was made to defend against violence.
So if there's a fence between Mexico and the United States, shouldn't there be one for the Canadians?
Less than five percent of the estimated 20 million illegal immigrants who currently reside in the United States hail from Canada while 57 percent are from Mexico, according to a study by the Pew Research Center. On the other hand, the United States' border with Canada is almost three times the size of the Mexican border, which means more possible entry points. Furthermore, Canada has actually had some recent terrorist threats.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
George
posted 1/26/07 @ 8:09 AM CST
I strongly suspect that George W. Bush and the others of his ilk who clamor for more fences between the U.S. and our neighbors have never read Robert Frost. (Continued…)
wayward
posted 1/26/07 @ 3:21 PM CST
Is it really to keep Canadians from sneaking into the US? After a couple more years of Dubyah, the problem might be Americans trying to sneak into Canada. (Continued…)
Tyler Friederich
posted 1/28/07 @ 9:51 PM CST
Interesting that yet again there are critiques and whines about Bush, but no offers of alternative solutions.
Rachel Maurer
posted 2/01/07 @ 1:52 AM CST
Just as locks only keep honest people honest, a fence is not going to dissuade any serious threat.
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