Topic: National" Borders- Trouble at The Cornwall Crossing

[Bruce Monkhouse]

You mean someone who wants to earn their wages? CF members don't have the option to walk off the job when the going gets rough, neither should they (armed or unarmed, they chose the job). I hate the term scab, I could give the names I have for 'strikers'...but they aren't good for polite company. There's lots of talk among union employees about what they're entitled to...but often little about what their responsibilities are. Striking is the organised and legitimized form of a child's temper tantrum. I kind of expected better from you Bruce...

Piper, keep taking that raise you get every year because OTHERS are willing to go without pay if negotiations for that raise do not go well.........I guess ya prefer not to think about that.

I hope I'm still alive 25 years from now when you actually grow up,and maybe get a real job with an employer who only puts in safety measures when ordered to, and then you'll need to delete your profile for the 9th time because you don't want others reading how stupid you sounded back then....................hmm, 1/3 of the way there already.

Keep chuggin.....

[Old Sweat]

I agree with ZC's position on this. Cornwall Island is Canadian territory and to move the post is to surrender it to a third party. This also would recognize the legitimacy of their claim, which would set a precedent that could have the potential to do real harm.

This morning the mayor of Cornwall was interviewed on CFRA Ottawa. He confirmed that Cornwall council had passed a resolution supporting the Mohawk position and that it was hoped the CBSA would agree not to arm its officers at the customs post. It should be noted that whatever happens as far as Cornwall is concerned, the problem will not go away nor can the city be picked up and moved. The closure of the crossing is having a negative economic and social effect both on the reserve and on the city itself.

In the big picture, stoppage of traffic at Cornwall will be more in the nature of an irritant than a serious impediment to cross-border movement. Given that Highway 416 leads directly to the bridge at Prescott, traffic to and from the national capital area can be routed over it. At the same time the crossings south of Montreal are not too far out of a direct route, especially as the Cornwall crossing is at least an hour's drive from the interstate system.

[milnews.ca]

In the big picture, stoppage of traffic at Cornwall will be more in the nature of an irritant than a serious impediment to cross-border movement. Given that Highway 416 leads directly to the bridge at Prescott, traffic to and from the national capital area can be routed over it. At the same time the crossings south of Montreal are not too far out of a direct route, especially as the Cornwall crossing is at least an hour's drive from the interstate system.

CBSA's traffic diversion notice
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/eo-ou/109151T112447-eng.html

Map of alternate crossing sites
http://www.quikmaps.com/show/105330

[milnews.ca]

The CBSA officer's were ordered off by management at 23:45 hrs, because the "peace loving" Mohawks said they would raid the port and force an armed confrontation. So the managers did the nest thing they could do and what is expected of them.

What CBSA said:
"As a result of a risk to the health and safety of the travelling public and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) employees, the CBSA closed the Cornwall (Ontario) Port of Entry Office located on Cornwall Island as of 11:45 p.m. on May 31...."

[Bruce Monkhouse]

Makes Piper's rant even sound stupider doesn't it?

I guess he would have "earned his wages" and stayed......................

[Haggis]

There's an on line petition supporting the "No Guns for CBSA At Akwesasne" stand at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/NoGunsForCBSA/index.html

Most of the comments are similarly worded regarding concerns for safety, Mohawk sovereignty, etc.

.... and then, from signatory number 28, there's this one:

"FOR ALL YOU INFERIOR WHITE PEOPLE TRYING TO RAIN ON OUR PARADE, SHUT YOUR STUPID FUKIN MOUTHS BEFORE I PUT A BULLET IN EVERYONE OF THEM....TIM, WHITE BROAD, ...... IF THEY WONNA ARM UP AND START A FUKIN WAR LETS DO IT. WE GOT GUNS TOO"

If the MCA wants to be taken seriously by the Federal government and CBSA they have to absoultely and completely distance themselves from the likes of this "speaker" and his Warrior Society brethren.

[recceguy]

The petition is a sham. It's being edited. Any comments for Canadian law, government and CBSA are being deleted. Less than 400 votes total for such an 'inflammatory' issue ? I picture one beat up 486 computer in a community centre, with a bunch of, ahem, people hammering away on the coffee and cig stained keyboard.

I also find it ironic that one of the advertisement banners at the top is for Front Site Firearms Training Center

[2 Cdo]

Piper, keep taking that raise you get every year because OTHERS are willing to go without pay if negotiations for that raise do not go well.........I guess ya prefer not to think about that.

I hope I'm still alive 25 years from now when you actually grow up,and maybe get a real job with an employer who only puts in safety measures when ordered to, and then you'll need to delete your profile for the 9th time because you don't want others reading how stupid you sounded back then....................hmm, 1/3 of the way there already.

Keep chuggin.....

Spoken like a true union flunky. Personal insults and a sob story from directing staff no less.

[Jammer]

DS,
Before this get out of control and violates the ROE.
I might suggest a lock or VW for some members.

[Bruce Monkhouse]

Spoken like a true union flunky. Personal insults and a sob story from directing staff no less.

Me, a Union flunky??  How many of my compatriots would laugh at that comment.

Here is an email I sent to the members of OPSEU when our leaders put it out that they wanted OPSEU members to support the "coalition".


All,
Today, I received my email that OPSEU Communications forwarded from the Labour Council.
 
I realize that OPSEU politics differ greatly from my own and I live with that as I know that if it meant enough to me I would get involved and I don't.
This is because the Union means more to me than petty politics..............however let it be said here and now that if OPSEU puts it's public support behind any coalition that includes the Bloq Quebecois than I will do anything I can [television, call in shows, etc] to bring disgrace to the Corporate OPSEU.
 
I hardly think I am the only one that thinks this way and do we really need to divide ourselves at this point in very hard negotiations?
 
I implore all to think long and hard about putting ourselves in a situation that will severly divide us and possibly, backfire into our own leader's faces.
 
Thank you for your time,
Bruce Monkhouse
VP Local 229

[Bruce Monkhouse]

Forgot the nice title I gave it also...."OPSEU SUPPORTING TRAITORS?".

[zipperhead_cop]

This morning the mayor of Cornwall was interviewed on CFRA Ottawa. He confirmed that Cornwall council had passed a resolution supporting the Mohawk position and that it was hoped the CBSA would agree not to arm its officers at the customs post. It should be noted that whatever happens as far as Cornwall is concerned, the problem will not go away nor can the city be picked up and moved. The closure of the crossing is having a negative economic and social effect both on the reserve and on the city itself.

Ah, but in for a penny, in for a pound.  Cornwall city council has sided with traitors, thugs and gun runners.  That city should starve and wither until the people take action and eliminate the fools that they misguidedly elected.  And if the people support their elected officials, then that city is a write-off. 

I think a nice 33 CBG engineer task would be to do a detonation of the Cornwall bridge after the alternate route is sufficiently brought up to speed.  Then the "peaceful warriors" can have their little private paradise just like they want.  Win/win. 

[recceguy]

Now that Cornwall council has caved, I wonder how long it will be before the domestic terrorists claim that town too, a la Caledonia.

[zipperhead_cop]

And then shortly after that, Dolton buys it and gives it to them. 

[IrishCanuck]

Thanks to most for your support of CBSA.

It was a decision made at the top, noone "abandoned" their post... by the sounds of some people on here, I wonder how they survive in / survived the military running around disobeying orders from brass, and staying in a fight when they are overwhelmed in firepower, manpower, and tactically hopeless... AND there is an alternative that allows for personnel to come out safe, security is not compromised, and you can regroup and come back with the proper resources.

[X-mo-1979]

I support CBSA 100%.However I don't support their policy that governs them.This is the front lines of our country,the men and women at the border should be given the powers to deal with situations that arise.

Getting a threat shouldn't shut down part of our border period IMHO.It seems the people making those decisions are most likely the same people who fought against having weapons in the first place.

If CBSA was forced to walk off by higher,why not send in the military to guard it.
Send a lav and a section down there,VCP.Meet the threats with force.Or the police.

[recceguy]

Thanks to most for your support of CBSA.

It was a decision made at the top, noone "abandoned" their post... by the sounds of some people on here, I wonder how they survive in / survived the military running around disobeying orders from brass, and staying in a fight when they are overwhelmed in firepower, manpower, and tactically hopeless... AND there is an alternative that allows for personnel to come out safe, security is not compromised, and you can regroup and come back with the proper resources.

Thanks IC. Some know how the real world works. Unfortunately, others are still looking out of their insular balloon through rose coloured glasses. Karma is a *****, especially when she comes out of nowhere someday and smacks you so hard you wonder what your doing there.

[Haggis]

If CBSA was forced to walk off by higher,why not send in the military to guard it.

Because it's not within our mandate to step in until all other police/law enforecment options have been exhausted. We're nowhere near that yet.

And have you ever been to Akwesasne or Cornwall island? What you propose, "send a LAV and a section down there", would be placing those soldiers at far more risk than the one faced, and dealt with, by CBSA.

Yes, I'm pissed that Cornwall city council has chosen to support the MCA.  There is far more to this issue than what is being reported in the press.

[Larkvall]

If the Cornwall crossing is the only point of entry without armed guards would this not increase the amount of 'dodgy' traffic going through there? Does this not deflect the argument of having armed guards is more dangerous to the local community?

[2 Cdo]

And something for those who support the CBSA being armed.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/yes_guns_cornwall_island/

[Haggis]

If the Cornwall crossing is the only point of entry without armed guards would this not increase the amount of 'dodgy' traffic going through there? Does this not deflect the argument of having armed guards is more dangerous to the local community?

In the minds of the CBSA and government decision makers, it does.  In the eyes of those who oppose the arming of "federal agents' on "Indian territory", it makes no difference.

As stated earlier, Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service (AMPS) have an office adjacent to the port of entry.  But thier responsibility is not solely to provide armed protection to and for CBSA.  They are responsible for policieng the entire canadian portion of Akwesasne.  Would not the arming of CBSA agents alleviate some of the pressure on the AMPS, thereby allowing them to more effectively serve ALL the citizens of Akwesasne?

Kinda makes you wonder if those protesting this move are doing it for "personal gain" rather than for the good of the community as a whole.

[Kat Stevens]

Pretty simple fix:  Close the crossing permanently, then remove all access to the reserve from the Canadian side, and increase police patrolling of the river.  Seize and search any boats coming from the reserve.  Done.

[zipperhead_cop]

Pretty simple fix:  Close the crossing permanently, then remove all access to the reserve from the Canadian side, and increase police patrolling of the river.  Seize and search any boats coming from the reserve.  Done.

Which is a great idea, but you still will be engaging them in fire fights, just on the water.  Somebody in Ottawa needs to decide that if a native is shooting or pointing a firearm at a LEO, they can be shot.  Currently, there isn't enough moral and political fortitude to do that. 
As for the AMPS, do not expect them to side against their own to protect federal employees.  They are not on the same page. 

[Haggis]

Which is a great idea, but you still will be engaging them in fire fights, just on the water.  Somebody in Ottawa needs to decide that if a native is shooting or pointing a firearm at a LEO, they can be shot.  Currently, there isn't enough moral and political fortitude to do that.

Like what happens to the rest of Canadians who try that?
 

As for the AMPS, do not expect them to side against their own to protect federal employees.

I know a few AMPS officers.  They have tough row to hoe in a pretty unique and rough neighbourhood.

Perceived motivations or biases aside, my argument wasn't that the AMPS wouldn't or couldn't protect federal employees.  My argument is that they shouldn't have to, at least no more than Windsor Police have to have a permanent presence at that port of entry solely to protect CBSA agents there. 

[zipperhead_cop]

Agreed.  That was one of the ideas behind arming them in the first place.  Like it or not, CBSA is a bona fide enforcement entity in Canada now.  They need the same support that the RCMP and regional/local police enjoy.