Remember and Ramblings...

If you will recall, a few months ago, I wrote about all the complaints regarding Border Patrol checkpoints up North. Even though they have been effective for years along the Southern border, apparently, according to politicians and press, they are not effective on the Northern border. Well oh my goodness, Border Patrol just seized 200 lbs of BC Bud at the checkpoint in Tupper Lake, NY. By the way, that does meet the threshold for federal prosecution.

I had actually posted last week, but due to technical dificulties, it did not appear. It was pretty much a rant about the risen abolished phoenix and how more and more it seems to be controlling much of what we do. What a mistake to put them in leadership roles when facilitation was their status quo.

Every time we began to head in the direction we have retreated from, we seem to slow down and lose momentum. We have done some great things lately, but it is always at the lower levels and it does not seem to be meaningful, when the upper echelon doesn't get it and continues to rely on less than stellar subordinates at those upper levels. Every once in a while, I see something that makes sense, like a recent memo emphatically condemning flushing traffic. He understands, he has been there, but from him to the troops the phoenix filter as well as those who have never done the job have way to much influence.

I keep hoping, wishing, and always working to make a difference and promote interdiction... as do many others. If they would just get out of the way, of course, most of them would not know a good job from bad, but we would.

BT

It has to be said again...

The abolished Phoenix has risen...

After the London bombings, I thought maybe the momentum was changing, but I see new scenarios and they repeat the same mistakes of the past.

The goals is to prevent terrorists and other bad guys from entering the country through interdiction.

I am training people to conduct threat assessment on people and things coming into the country.

Based on that threat assessment, these people or things are either admitted or detained/arrested.

That is what it is about, conducting proper threat assessment takes care of the facilitation of legitimate travelers and goods, because they do not pose a threat, hence, they are released.

It runs from DC on down, they should have put the abolished leaders in a place where they can take care of the bureaucratic tasks that may be necessary, WITHOUT distracting from the mission.

They should not be running programs or training. When they do, it perpetuates the mindset and the mistakes of the past.

It is a constant struggle from those of us who are used to providing training at a superior level to interact with those who continually perpetuate mediocrity or below as the status quo. Especially when they are at upper levels and making decisions based on their exerience which, supposedly no longer exists. Rod Serling would fit right in....


BT

Border Officer Acquitted in Excessive Force Case

I really don't know very much about the above case, but here is the mantra
I preach to my trainees:

Is what you are doing reasonable?
Can you articulate why you are doing it?
Is it within policy?

If they can yes to the above three questions, they are in good shape.


For those looking from the outside in, remember, don't judge on hind sight. You have to judge based on what the Officer was experiencing at that moment, in a very rapidly evolving situation.
Remember, these Officers are placed in precarious situations quite often, they are expected to be able to resolve these situations and that calls for making these kinds of judgements.

BT

Just a Sample...

If you recall, I told you what Bush's legacy was going to be and it had to do with keeping the economy going after 9/11. There will be another addition to his legacy, but I will save it for later. During the legacy posting, I gave a few examples of what could have happened to the country if the economy had gone down the tubes.

There is a current example of what things can descend to ongoing. Take a look at New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina. Immediately there were claims of racial discrimination in that most of the people who stayed were Black. Help wasn't coming soon enough, so criminal behavior became rampant. I don't mean taking food to survive, I mean stealing non-essential items for gain. Shooting at incoming emergency responders. Even away from the area, the gouging gas prices for no just cause, just more stealing.

This is just a small example of what will happen if our economy collapses. There will be no harmony, no peace, just surviving... if you can. Bush's administration saved the economy and
a hell of a lot more than that. If you doubt it, head on down to New Orleans. I have already volunteered...

Black Bands....

I lost a colleague and good friend a couple of days ago. She lived the job, it was everything to her and some sorry s.o.b. stole her from us.

Tammy,
We will miss you, never forget you and think about you often... with a tear and a smile.


BT

Canada, Oh Canada.....

Just a short additional note about the previous post:
It was reported today the Customs Officers in Ontario, Canada walked off the job because they had an armed and dangerous subject headed in their direction. Not just a few of them, but all of them. They were shown a photograph of a subject who had escaped from custody in Kentucky and were told to let him through the border. He was considered to be armed and dangerous.

Now I know that they are not armed, but if our Customs Officers did that, the country's economy would stop. Canada doesn't trust their feds with guns, so their contract states they can leave if they feel they are in danger.

The whole reason for bringing this to your attention is the previous post which references an article, that claims that Canada has done a better job at addressing border security concerns. It doesn't appear to be accurate.

BT