ViceZilla’s Views

The height of governmental bureaucracy and stupidity has been achieved in flying colors by the Department of Homeland Security over it’s new rules regarding of all things fishermen! I’m all for securing our borders effectively and responsibly, but these new rules by the DHS leaves me wondering who they have on staff that puts rules like this on paper.

When the 2008 charter season begins next month, U.S. citizens paying to fish on Lake Erie will have to bring either a passport or two other IDs if they plan to cross the northern border’s invisible watery line. When they get back to shore in the USA, they’ll have to drive to a local government reporting station and pose for pictures. They won’t be posing with their fish, but for Customs officers via a videophone connection.

So what exactly are these new rules supposed to do? If you are an American citizen on American soil, then go onto a body of water in a boat, stay on the boat, then return to American soil, what’s the problem? It’s not like they are crossing the lake, getting off the boat in Canada, getting drunked up on Canadian beer, buying a few souvenirs, then returning to the States. Technically they are staying on American land for their entire trip, so why all the Gestapo rules?

If the Department’s intention was to kill the fishing charter businesses along the Great Lakes, they’re doing a good job of it!

Thanks to Richard for pointing this stupidity out.

Technorati Tags: Lake Erie, Department of Homeland Security, Government Stupidity, Fishing Charters

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