"The World's Longest Undefended Border" is undergoing another fundamental shift today.

 The US-Canada border has never actually been undefended, but recent measures - drone Predator aircraft, increased patrols, infra red cameras, have improved security.

 Today, however,  the United States, for the first time ever, requires Canadians crossing by land into the United states to have a passport, or a rare 'enhanced drivers license'. Americans returning home from Canada will face similar requirements.

 The latter point potentially has a huge negative impact on Canada's cross border economy. Although over 54% of Canadians have a passport , only about 27% of Americans have one.

This applies even in the towns in Quebec and the Maritimes which straddle the border. In one town, the church is bisected by the line, and in Americans park on the wrong side of the lot, they may be unable to return home. Neighbours can no longer run across the street for coffee without reporting to immigration control.

The rationale for this policy is of course, anti-terrorism. The underlying mentality is reflective of the fact that the U.S. Secretary of homeland Security ( a name that invariably reminds me of Hitler Germany, or 1984), in April repeated the totally false statement that 9-11 bombers crossed into the states from Canada.The government feels, apparently, that it must be seen to be doing something, for appearances, no matter what the results. 

As a result of this policy, I won't be crossing the border any time soon, though I live about 40 minutes away, and historically, have visited once or twice a year.Never having travelled anywhere BUT the U. S. (except that day trip to Nogales Mexico in 1965), I never felt the need.

Mid-sized B applied for his passport over two years ago, though he hates to travel, because he was planning to visit a friend in Ohio, by air, and the regulations affected air travel last year.  I filled out the forms too, but, for some reason, never submitted them,. and misplaced them when I moved. When the United states finally said they were persisting with this policy, midsized B downloaded a fresh set of forms for me. They still sit next to my computer, months later. 

 I know that I should get a passport. The last minute May rush to beat the June 1 deadline must be dissipating. I may need to travel for work some day. I love day trips along the shore of Superior.

Yet, I can not help feeling insulted that I am treated like an undesirable alien. After all, my forebearers abandoned Iowa for Ontario, so clearly, I come from a dangerous background. So, I won't get around to applying, I guess, until I get over this feeling.

 I also can not help but wonder whether, in some small way, the terrorists have won.