It's official I'm a threat to national security

[spiderman]

There you go, now I have to change my name to notorius spiderman, evil neardowell.

I've just spent the last 3 hours sitting in a US customs office getting told that my 24 year old simple possession charge ( a joint) claissifies as a felony and I am not elegible for entry. They would not let me board my plane to a trade show in Chicago. 3 weeks ago I flew to LA and spent 12 days there, but this week, I'm a threat and they have actual banned me unless I get special permission that takes about 1 year to process.

Guess I'm not going to the trade show, hope I don't get fired!

Woo Hoo. I seriously think there are parinoid delusions in the homeland security office, but maybe I'm wrong......

[spiderman]

I guess the bright side of this is,

Now I have 3 days to paint

[redneck]

3 days to paint, do you travel with your compressors and airbrushes

[spiderman]

No Red,

They wouldn't let me in, so I'm cooling my heals at home. Just me and my compressor.....

My wife and I were going to Chicago from Toronto, they wouldn't let me into the US (Canadians clear US customs in Canada before ever setting foot on US soil), my wife got on the plane, but I had to stay here..

I really wanted to go as it is the National Art Materials Trade Association annual show. I'm bummed.

sorry for your hassles

I should be going taking the magazine but the thought of all the politics involved once you get there really turns me off to going.

Anke and Mike are going taking the Harder Steenbeck brushes and I believe Jens will be there also.

Maybe next year.

[spiderman]

Thanks Don,

Walking the floor and doing the seminars is fun. Displaying your stuff at the show is work, so I hear you.

I was going to do the first. I hope I can get the paper work done in time for next year, never been to Reno!

[Faxxxy]

Who knew keeping people out of the country was as simple as giving them joints..

(Now, where is that Mexican border..)

[Icewolf0927]

I am sorry to hear that. That really sucks. I honestly taking the homeland security thing a little to far.

[spiderman]

Thanks guys,

With all the problems going on in the world, it really makes you wonder. Oh well, nothing to do about it. The security check is underway and I might be able to cross by christmas. Lets hope so, I wanted to go to Denver and do some skiing this winter.

Hey faxxxy, ironically, I don't think they're actually charging people in Canada with "simple" possesion anymore.

spiderman, you're not missing a lot in Reno although they wouldn't want me to say that.. My sister lives there & I'll be going for a visit in Oct.. Vegas is the ultimate for pleasure & fun in Nevada's gambling mecca--it's meant for every age & preference for gaming & it's quite a sight to see--Lake Tahoe is absolutely beautiful & you find a very high class gambler likes to stay there, & then you have Reno & this is where you see people who are died in the wool gambling junkies & they look like people who don't have any business playing with money much less wagering it.. They have a number of nice casinos they,ve built though & they're trying to attract convention crowds..I hope you get this mess straightened out soon so I can sleep better at night..You're such a dangerous threat & especially in Reno.. ..

[spiderman]

Thanks Darla,

I've been to Sin city 3 or 4 times. The last place I worked we did a trade show there every April, so I would spend a good 10 days a year working and playing in that fun city. There is so much to do and see, I would recommend anybody go for a weekend and have some fun. The shows were my favorite. How many places can you go and actually see an elephant disappear?

I hope it clears up soon, however I fear the wait will be long and drawn out and not set in stone in the end. They've actually already changed the rules once, and there are no guarentees they won't change them again and I'll be doing this all over again. Nothing to be done about it but wait

Oh well, more time to paint

[stormer]

Oh no! I didn't know you are a dangerous international terrorist! Now I have to erase all traces of communication with you, even my comments to your art!

No really, I'm very sorry about what happened. It's crazy when things go too far. Yes, there are dangerous people moving around the globe and they need to be found, but I think the work hours spent on you could be used in a better way!

Also, I think the security controls are too inconsistant; some people pass through without showing any papers of some sort (yes, I've seen it myself) and last time I was going to fly I had my toothbrush and toothpaste in my pocket, and I had to throw the toothpaste away because the tube was labeled 110ml and the limit is 100ml. It didn't count that it was only half full, the label is enough...

And just think about all the tax free booze people have to throw away because it's more than 100ml...


Niclas

[spiderman]

Thanks Stormer,

I agree, it's the waste of time and energy that is really a shame. I know they are doing their jobs, and their jobs need to be done, it's still a shame about the wastage.

Oh well, on a positive note, my fingerprint search came back with no results! Woo Hoo, I'm not connected with any current investigations by the RCMP! That's always a good thing to know LOL Wonder what that costs, oh yes $300, I had to pay it cha ching!!!

[stormer]

Whaaaaat??? You had to pay because they are barking up the wrong tree??

Niclas

[blackdragon]

if it was me then i would seek legal advice mate cos that's OTT

[spiderman]

Originally Posted by stormer

Whaaaaat??? You had to pay because they are barking up the wrong tree??

Niclas

No, I had to pay, because I want to go back to the states. In order to do that you must provide lots and lots of proof that you are not a threat, this costs money. When I was sitting in the customs office giving my deposition, I was told that I was not a citizen of the United States and therefore had no rights unless I was claiming citizenship. I have no legal recourse as a Canadian citizen.

Originally Posted by blackdragon

if it was me then i would seek legal advice mate cos that's OTT

Thanks Black, I have a professional firm working on my case. It's apparently happened to more than 10,000 Canadians last year alone. Good money making business!

[stormer]

Originally Posted by spiderman

No, I had to pay, because I want to go back to the states. In order to do that you must provide lots and lots of proof that you are not a threat, this costs money. When I was sitting in the customs office giving my deposition, I was told that I was not a citizen of the United States and therefore had no rights unless I was claiming citizenship. I have no legal recourse as a Canadian citizen.



Thanks Black, I have a professional firm working on my case. It's apparently happened to more than 10,000 Canadians last year alone. Good money making business!

Oh man! I'm so sorry! Must be the fewer because I'm almost shedding a tear here because this is really awful!

Niclas

[Neder/Brit]

Well Spidey I think i,ts a bummmer too. But I must tell you I had a problem getting into Canada five years ago but to be honest it was my own fault, you have to fill out one of those stupid forms on the plane stateing that you do not have any fire arms, food, and a bunch of other senless things needless to say I did not fill it in. In the end they let me in but what a hassle and my poor uncle had driven up from Port Dover to Toronto to pick us up he was the one I felt most sorry for having to wait for so long. As far as the joint gose you should take a trip over here to Holland need I say more

[Kaiilla]

So I WAS right, it does appear that you ARE a Dangerous, Evil Registered AIRBRUSHER.. This confirms IT!

Sorry to hear about your hassels

[spiderman]

Originally Posted by Neder/Brit

Well Spidey I think i,ts a bummmer too. But I must tell you I had a problem getting into Canada five years ago but to be honest it was my own fault, you have to fill out one of those stupid forms on the plane stateing that you do not have any fire arms, food, and a bunch of other senless things needless to say I did not fill it in. In the end they let me in but what a hassle and my poor uncle had driven up from Port Dover to Toronto to pick us up he was the one I felt most sorry for having to wait for so long. As far as the joint gose you should take a trip over here to Holland need I say more

Hey neder, been there twice Can I see the menu please?

legality is a function of geography!

[spiderman]

Originally Posted by Kaiilla

So I WAS right, it does appear that you ARE a Dangerous, Evil Registered AIRBRUSHER.. This confirms IT!

Sorry to hear about your hassels

Damn, never should have registered, that would have made me Dangerous Evil Airbrusher = DEA for short LOL

[redneck]

Originally Posted by spiderman

Damn, never should have registered, that would have made me Dangerous Evil Airbrusher = DEA for short LOL

now that you are registered you can call yourself DEAR
Dangerous
Evil
Airbrusher
Registered

[theairbrushguy]

I thought that I have heard it all. Who has a perfect past? Not me, thats for sure. Not that it will make you feel any better, but I got screwed and I was flying in state! Going from Connecticut to Michigan to do a job, and had two cases of water base paint. Not only could not get on the plane but with the observation of many super qualified flight security personel, I had to open each container of paint (that was sealed with tape and in its own zip lock bag) to prove thats what it was. I still dont know how opening a bottle proves it is anything but that was what they wanted and after 2 hours, I got the next flight and another disaster was avoided.
I know that this does not really parallel your situation but I thought that it might make it a bit easier to know that everyone is dealing with the aftermath of recent events.
TABG

[spiderman]

Thanks Red!

AB Guy, they don't like zippo lighters much either! I ran into that problem comming out of Vegas from a trade show. I bought a souvanir for my mom, not thinking at all. They gave me the option of mailing it home though, that was nice. I couldn't possibly go back through the security line and still catch my flight though, so I had to have them toss it

O well, my mom shouldn't be smoking anyway

Apperently non fillable disposables are ok, zippos are re-fillable so I guess the theory is they can be used with bio threats

[Tuesday]

Well at least you now don't have to put up with airplane food.

[jwmcink]

Spidey..what was the out come of the 24 year old charge? I got caught with a joint in my pocket in1974 up here in Thunder Bay...Local police and my lawyer said (no problem, absolute discharge)........Stood up to it, told the judge I was guilty..(now you have to realize..this stuff was no where near quality as it is today) He gave me 31 days in the DJ The worst part was that when the police delivered the summons a week later. they gave it to my DAD who has the same name as me Cops wouldn't leave till Pops assured them he wouldn't kill me before the court date


Jim.

[spiderman]

Originally Posted by Tuesday

Well at least you now don't have to put up with airplane food.

Tuesday, Nice always looking for that silver lining Not that they actually serve food anymore.

Originally Posted by jwmcink

Spidey..what was the out come of the 24 year old charge? I got caught with a joint in my pocket in1974 up here in Thunder Bay...Local police and my lawyer said (no problem, absolute discharge)........Stood up to it, told the judge I was guilty..(now you have to realize..this stuff was no where near quality as it is today) He gave me 31 days in the DJ The worst part was that when the police delivered the summons a week later. they gave it to my DAD who has the same name as me Cops wouldn't leave till Pops assured them he wouldn't kill me before the court date


Jim.

Hey Jim, you're probably in the same boat as me. I had to plead guilty to get a conditional discharge. It's the guilty plea that causes the problems. I think you would have been better to take the absolute discharge. You should contact Canadian Pardons at www.canadianpardons.ca. Hey I just noticed they're offering a sale! Ahhh parents, gotta love them! My mom wasn't too pleased at the time either Good luck!

Shawn

[Joyce]

Even though I do not fly, you could not get me on one of those things for nothing