June 1 - A Day of Infamy for Detroit

**Lowell** · June-01-09, 09:53 AM

It is a double witching day for Detroit.

1. Mighty General Motors is bankrupt and now Government Motors with uncertainty, job loss and more suffering in sight.

2. The mini-Berlin Wall of our border just grew higher and is now sealed to all but the passport-bearing. While old enemies in Europe freely cross borders, we must face indignities, more delays and snooping to visit another part of our town, our friends and relatives with whom we have been at peace for almost 200 years and our allies in war today.

The first event was inevitable and self-made, the second ridiculous, avoidable and insane.

The damage to our metropolitan economy by these combined events is terrible and huge. We are left to suck it in on our own and figure our way out of this growing mess on our own. Like it or not it is our mess. Time to start digging -- harder.

Thank goodness for the bread and circus of the Red Wings or this would be a truly gloomy day.

DetroitDad · June-01-09, 10:03 AM

I forgot we are not allowed to go to Canada anymore. A sad day indeed.

Sorry, I just don't care about the Red Wings anymore. Many once wealthy Metro Detroiters I know no longer have cable to watch the games, can't afford tickets, or work a second [[or first) job during game time. It's amazing how priorities can change when the cash is all gone, your employment is up in the air, and the credit runs out.

**Flanders** · June-01-09, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by daytwa

Cry me a f%^*ing river

Buy a boat & paddle made in China first, then we will cry a f%^*ing river for ya.

Don't forget to bring your f%^*ing lifejacket.

**Danny** · June-01-09, 10:46 AM

This is the fall of General Motors back to primative classic company and not a corporation. Who would but a car from bankurpt company?

**Lowell** · June-01-09, 11:25 AM

If you you are unable comprehend the millions of dollars that are wasted by discouraged travel and tourism, delays to the passage of commerce, created by the ever-increasing border restrictions, there is little that can be explained to you. When you have two countries like France and Germany, who murdered millions of each other citizens in the last century while we were allies and friends with Canada, where citizens and commerce flow freely, perhaps you may begin to understand the what is so outrageous.

I have had a passport for decades and find it an absurd inconvenience to have to carry the clunky thing around just to go to another part of my town. Yeah, I'll spend another bunch of money for something that can fit in my wallet, but why should we have to?

This new barrier will probably spell doom for retaining the Red Bull races over the straits as many will defer going to Windsor. Bit by bit this ridiculous border issue is suffocating at our already suffering economies.

**Bobl** · June-01-09, 11:28 AM

The unspoken truth about Chrysler, General Motors, and manufacturing in general is that there will be no future, even for the "new" companies, as long as our current misnamed "Free Trade" policies exist.
How will the "new" GM and Chrysler, or any American firms, compete when the off shore firms have their medical insurance, and even raw material costs, subsidized by their governments? They have been allowed to dump their products here with this unfair advantage for years.
Fair Trade is necessary for U.S. employers to survive. Where is the discussion of this sad truth?

**eriedearie** · June-01-09, 11:32 AM

^^yeah, what Lowell said^^

**Flanders** · June-01-09, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Bobl

The unspoken truth about Chrysler, General Motors, and manufacturing in general is that there will be no future, even for the "new" companies, as long as our current misnamed "Free Trade" policies exist.
How will the "new" GM and Chrysler, or any American firms, compete when the off shore firms have their medical insurance, and even raw material costs, subsidized by their governments? They have been allowed to dump their products here with this unfair advantage for years.
Fair Trade is necessary for U.S. employers to survive. Where is the discussion of this sad truth?

Japan owns nearly 10% of US debt, this so-called free trade between protectionist [[Them) and non-protectionist [[US) has been going on far too long to slow, stop, or reverse it, and many US citizens who now owe their livelihoods to selling and building their products certainly would vehemently object to our government enacting any fair trade restrictions, along with support from their representatives in Congress who obviously have a vested and/or voting interest. The fair trade window came in the early 70s and went by the early 80s, IMO.

But it is nigh time for OUR representatives in DC to push for Michigan to cease being a tax-donor state. If the US government is going to permit our auto industry to crash through free trade, then they can just f%^*ing support what is left of us here as a tax-recipient state.

**R8RBOB** · June-01-09, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitDad

I forgot we are not allowed to go to Canada anymore. A sad day indeed.

Sorry, I just don't care about the Red Wings anymore. Many once wealthy Metro Detroiters I know no longer have cable to watch the games, can't afford tickets, or work a second [[or first) job during game time. It's amazing how priorities can change when the cash is all gone, your employment is up in the air, and the credit runs out.

Yesterday, I was at the RenCen, walked to the riverfront and looked at Windsor. Today the old GM is dead and I can't go to Windsor because I don't have a passport. The irony. Things are not the same.

**Fnemecek** · June-01-09, 01:09 PM

2. The mini-Berlin Wall of our border just grew higher and is now sealed to all but the passport-bearing.

You don't need a passport to visit Canada, unless you're flying there. For land or sea travel, you can use any of the other enhanced [[as in harder to forge) travel documents - such as an enhanced Michigan drivers license. It costs all of $45 and is valid for 4 years. I wouldn't be surprised if Windsor's Casino or a few of the other venues in Canada started programs to reimburse that expense when you spend money in their establishment.

http://michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127...3045--,00.html

gravitymachine · June-01-09, 01:10 PM

things aren't the way they used to be, its an outrage i tells ya!!

**Flanders** · June-01-09, 01:22 PM

Not that Detroit is that juicy of, or even a choice target anymore for a dirty bomb or bombs, but it is conveniently located next to a very significant international border crossing, and would still carry more of a devastating impact nationally if it were attacked by terrorists than a Fargo, Bismarck or Duluth would be. Since none of us here really know squat, compared to what the Pentagon or the CIA/FBI knows, I guess that we will be given no other choice but to deal with the inconvenience and economic consequences of delays in border crossings.

DetroitDad · June-01-09, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by Danny

This is the fall of General Motors back to primative classic company and not a corporation. Who would but a car from bankurpt company?

What is really strange is their advertisements and promotions. For Saturn, a brand being cut in a bankrupt company, the ad talks about how they will make your car payments for up to nine months if you lose your job or can't pay. How exactly will that work when the brand is being cut and the company might not be there or be there in bankruptcy protection in the future?

Then they go and put the other more popular car companies down in their ads, driving more people away. They insist on continually trashing their image, even through bankruptcy. Being General Motors, I'm sure they're going to wonder why that promotion isn't working.

**Bobl** · June-01-09, 01:49 PM

Amazing. The day after the Sept 11 attack on New York City and the Pentagon, the entire Bin Laden family was allowed to fly home, while American citizens were stranded at airports around the world.
Now, I cannot freely cross the border to go to Windsor, while residents of Germany and France can freely pass back and forth, despite their former state of war.
The "enhanced" IDs and passports will do nothing to prevent genuine terrorist attacks. Those who intend harm will simply purchase or create bogus documents with their wealth.
The "enhanced" ID/Passport sham is simply a move to give the appearance of security. A joke without a punch line.

**Lowell** · June-01-09, 01:53 PM

In reality the border is very porous and always will be. These new regulations along with the past ones only make life miserable for the average person and cost our economies millions and tax the treasuries of both countries. Dedicated bad guys could get through any number of ways and everybody, the Pentagon or the CIA/FBI included, knows it. Resources could better be expended at our common water borders and air and sea ports of entry and in intel tracking gangs. Nothing is being secured except border guard jobs.

The glaring elephant-in-the-room irony that nobody wants to recognize is that no one inspects vehicles ~before~ they cross the bridge or enter the tunnel. Destruction of either of those "juicy" targets would devastate Canadian/US trade. If it weren't so scary it would be laughable. All that is missing is big kickme sign reading, "Go ahead, drive your bomb-laden vehicle over but, oh yes, be sure to have your passport ready when you get to the other side."

**Bobl** · June-01-09, 02:01 PM

Thanks, Lowell. Your post shows logic and common sense.
Like I said, these new requirements are nothing but a joke...but no one will be laughing.

**Linda from Detroit** · June-01-09, 02:05 PM

Sounds dumb, I guess, but I'm in mourning today for the vibrant Detroit that kept the world moving...and for the freedoms that are being yanked right out from under us. I never thought I would live to see the day such things would happen. Hate to think what another 30 years will bring.

LodgeDodger · June-01-09, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by Lowell

It is a double witching day for Detroit.

1. Mighty General Motors is bankrupt and now Government Motors with uncertainty, job loss and more suffering in sight.

2. The mini-Berlin Wall of our border just grew higher and is now sealed to all but the passport-bearing. While old enemies in Europe freely cross borders, we must face indignities, more delays and snooping to visit another part of our town, our friends and relatives with whom we have been at peace for almost 200 years and our allies in war today.

The first event was inevitable and self-made, the second ridiculous, avoidable and insane.

The damage to our metropolitan economy by these combined events is terrible and huge. We are left to suck it in on our own and figure our way out of this growing mess on our own. Like it or not it is our mess. Time to start digging -- harder.

Thank goodness for the bread and circus of the Red Wings or this would be a truly gloomy day.

Lowell, get a grip, my Dearie. As one who has witnessed, first-hand, the real indignities suffered when crossing the border from West to East Berlin, this is hardly anything to write home about. Sure, people will complain, at first. After an adjustment period, things will go on as before. I don't have an issue with added checks. I, too, generally distrust government. But added security at our borders is perfectly fine with me. Yes, there are many additional safeguards we need to institute, but this newest isn't a deal at all. I've carried my passport with me for years. It's just habit.

As far as the GM filing, I'm heart-sick.

DetroitDad · June-01-09, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Lowell

In reality the border is very porous and always will be. These new regulations along with the past ones only make life miserable for the average person and cost our economies millions and tax the treasuries of both countries. Dedicated bad guys could get through any number of ways and everybody, the Pentagon or the CIA/FBI included, knows it. Resources could better be expended at our common water borders and air and sea ports of entry and in intel tracking gangs. Nothing is being secured except border guard jobs.

The glaring elephant-in-the-room irony that nobody to recognize is that no one inspects vehicles ~before~ they cross the bridge or enter the tunnel. Destruction of either of those "juicy" targets would devastate Canadian/US trade. If it weren't so scary it would be laughable. All that is missing is big kickme sign reading, "Go ahead, drive your bomb-laden vehicle over but, oh yes, be sure to have your passport ready when you get to the other side."

I've often wondered about that. Imagine such a thing happening on a warm Summer day with the tunnel packed full of people, a concert going on at Hart Plaza [[worse if Ford Auditorium is replaced by an active outdoor amphitheater), ships docked at the International Terminal, children playing on the Riverwalk, and the Renaissance Center full of tourists and employees. It wouldn't take much to wipe that out pre passport/bomb check. In fact, the most damage could be done just sitting there waiting in line.

**Lowell** · June-01-09, 03:41 PM

LodgeDodger I have been through Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin and went through quicker than a lot of times on the border and with more civility than I have sometimes received here. The term mini Berlin Wall is said for emphasis so no need to be so literal. I know the difference. Nonetheless, in both cases the guards are armed, you have next to no rights and they can and do sometimes humiliate you and always waste your time; so the day to day experience is no different.

The new restrictions do not make us more secure; it only makes some border guard jobs secure. Decades of the penetration on the southern border expose that myth. The only real defense is in intelligence and at exterior ports of entry. Anything else is wasting our time and killing our economy. So June 1 is double punishment for us, both due to federal policies.

**Bobl** · June-01-09, 03:57 PM

Will somebody explain how this inconvenience adds any security to our borders? It does not. As stated before, terrorists will simply forge the documents or change the delivery method.
As far as making border guards' jobs more secure, I expect the opposite. Just as ATM cards and RF devices have reduced the number of bank tellers and cashiers at supermarkets, the border crossing sites will eliminate guard positions. And we will be no more secure from any real threat.
This just looks like another pain in the ass at best, and perhaps another intrusion into our privacy.

Ravine · June-01-09, 05:06 PM

The best way around all of this alleged treachery is to completely erase myself.
At 6'00'' & only about 145 lbs., I'm already more than half-way there, I figger.

gravitymachine · June-01-09, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Bobl

Will somebody explain how this inconvenience adds any security to our borders?

can someone please explain how getting a passport every ten years at a cost of about $10/year and carrying those 6 or so bound pieces of paper which are smaller than a checkbook with you to canada is such a gross inconvenience?

i got a passport years ago and it made crossing more convenient

Toolbox · June-01-09, 05:32 PM

How is the passport rule an insult to Detroit when it is a nationwide requirement? It is not like they are saying you need a passport to cross in Detroit and only Detroit.

I applied for the baby's passport on Saturday. It took thirty minutes and hers is only good for five years, but will make life a heck of a lot easier in the long run.