Border crossing closed (US - Canada/West Coast)

[DS1]

February 16, 2004 - 1:15 pm PST
By: Treena Wood

The Peace Arch border crossing has been closed in both directions. Customs officers at the crossing won't give us any information, saying only there is a "situation" at the border. We'll have the latest information for you as soon as we get it.

(that's the entire article) Broke 4:30 EST

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article.jsp?content=20040216_161523_3932

Updated -> A vehicle heading into Canada from the US that was carrying explosives caused customs officers to shut down the Peace Arch border Crossing in both directions. We don't know much more than that, but we're now hearing the border will be reopened in about two hours.

:shrug:

It was breaking, it was late, it was news :hi:

[treepig]

1. oh well, it was a good run

http://www.ci.blaine.wa.us/page.cfm?pageid=419

The International Peace Arch stands near the western end of the unfortified United States-Canada boundary existing from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It is unique in that it is the only portal of its kind in the world. Construction began July 1920. Workmen from both sides of the border labored with donated cement and steel to complete the great monument. Samuel Hill, eminent road builder, dedicated the Peace Arch September 6, 1921, assisted by John Oliver, premier of British Columbia, and several additional guests.



The Peace Arch is a white bipedal structure with the extreme base dimensions equal to its 67-foot height. With footwalls grounded on either side of the border, the massive edifice rests equally over each country. On the outer wall of the American side is a bronze tablet bearing a replica of the Mayflower. On the Canadian side is another tablet displaying a replica of the Beaver, the first steam-propelled vessel to navigate the Pacific Ocean. In the footwall below the cornerstone is another enclosure containing historic documents of peaceful relationships between the United States and Canada.



Within the Arch are two iron gates, wide open and turned back against the walls. Over one appears the inscription, "1814 OPEN ONE HUNDRED YEARS 1914." Over the other is expressed this hope: "MAY THESE GATES NEVER BE CLOSED."

[JoFerret]

4. Are we now exporting terror

to Canada?

[Mrs. Overall]

5. Why not? We exported it to Iraq.....n/t

[woofless]

2. Wow, that's close.

We live about 5 miles from the Sumas crossing, 20 miles or so inland from Blaine.

[Mrs. Overall]

3. Seattle News is saying it was a grenade

in a car heading north.
A homeland security spokesperson didn't know if anyone has been taken into custody.

[JoFerret]

9. One grenade?

.

[Mrs. Overall]

12. Now reporting it was the wife of a Fort Lewis soldier

who was stopped and that her husband (the soldier) accidently had left the grenade in the car.
What?????

[megatherium]

6. I was stopped at that border

after being asked if I had any firearms in my car. I had Mississippi plates and had a beard, so I must have fit some kind of profile. I waited in the lobby (enjoying a Chihuli sculpture they had there) while they popped my trunk. I had no guns, so I was soon on my way.

The comic Steve Wright says he wants to answer the question "Do you have any firearms?" with "What do you need?"

[Tesha]

11. Canada routinely asks this question now.

I guess they're getting to know Americans. :(

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Ok this one is out of bizarro word

but I wonder if the Department of Fatherland Security will make
something out of this?

Into Canada? Hmmmm

Yes this desserves one of them

:tinfoilhat:

[ConcernedCanuk]

8. Isn't it Canada that's supposed to be the concern for the US ??

.
.
.

Or has the "pre-emptive" begun . .

after all,

we gotta be on that adjustable list for the "Axees of Eeevul"

don't we? :shrug:

and I don't understand the closing, even if it took forever, just check each vehicle real good ?

and

who pushed for the closing I wonder- hmmm

and why bring explosives INTO Canada

aha-

it's the BFEE's "war on drugs" gonna blow up some of dat BC "bud" !!

[dArKeR]

10. U.S. again brands Canada terrorist haven

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040216.wvanc0216/BNStory/National/