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The Department of Homeland Security Stole My Boat Today

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Re: The Department of Homeland Security Stole My Boat Today

#51

Post by damian2000 »

This reminds me of when I was on holiday once, riding a motorbike around Indonesia. The traffic police there are sometimes stationed at busy intersections and are known to pick on tourists for any minor infringement.

He told me I left without waiting for the green light. Nevermind that everyone else on the road including cars did the same thing. I had two choices - pay a "fine" (i.e. bribe), or have my motorbike seized on the spot.

It felt wrong but I paid the fine. After I paid the guy was apologetic and insisted on shaking my hand.

Re: The Department of Homeland Security Stole My Boat Today

#52

Post by jlgreco »

RawData wrote: post #46
GiraffeNecktie wrote: post #38

No, DHS did not "steal" your boat. They confiscated it and you'll get it back by following some lengthy and convoluted appeal process. But I seriously don't understand Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and why they have to be such utter dickheads on the Canadian border. Their Canadian counterparts (CBSA) are just as effective and efficient and somehow manage to be generally sane and rational.

Of course they stole it...

"When the pres^H^H^H^Hgovernment does it, that means it is not illegal."

Or something like that...

Re: The Department of Homeland Security Stole My Boat Today

#53

Post by bd_at_rivenhill »

javajosh wrote: post #10

Ah, procedure. I'm particularly fond of situations like this where the procedure is, for the normal person, a once-in-a-lifetime event. But the flunky on the other side of the desk does it every day. And they think you are yet another stupid person who doesn't understand the simple procedure, and they have nothing but contempt for those who don't understand the procedure as deeply as they do (especially which parts o…

> CHP officers call this the "personality test" - and they administer it every time you get pulled over, BTW.

This is pretty much true of all police agencies. "Contempt of cop" is one of the worst offenses you can commit in terms of your likelihood of being punished for something minor.

Re: The Department of Homeland Security Stole My Boat Today

#54

Post by jonknee »

yukoncornelius wrote: post #5

If this story went down exactly as Mike suggests the agent will lose her job or at least her federal law enforcement qualification. On the other hand, Mike is pleading his case in the court of public opinion, and his reputation is likely going to get him a lot of popular support either warranted or unwarranted.

My guess is that Mike gets his boat back and no one loses their job. He was probably rude and she was probably unreasonable. Nothing much will happen because of either situation.

Re: The Department of Homeland Security Stole My Boat Today

#55

Post by wilfra »

yukoncornelius wrote: post #5

If this story went down exactly as Mike suggests the agent will lose her job or at least her federal law enforcement qualification. On the other hand, Mike is pleading his case in the court of public opinion, and his reputation is likely going to get him a lot of popular support either warranted or unwarranted.

That's a big if. I have a feeling her side of the story is much different. Probably including lots of blustering by him about how important he is and that he's a lawyer and how she's an idiot and the government is ridiculous.

I'd bet a lot that he's paying an asshole tax and if he had kept his cool, he'd have his boat.

Re: The Department of Homeland Security Stole My Boat Today

#56

Post by Strang »

GiraffeNecktie wrote: post #38

No, DHS did not "steal" your boat. They confiscated it and you'll get it back by following some lengthy and convoluted appeal process. But I seriously don't understand Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and why they have to be such utter dickheads on the Canadian border. Their Canadian counterparts (CBSA) are just as effective and efficient and somehow manage to be generally sane and rational.

They absolutely did "steal" his boat, for some definition of the word "steal."

The DHS agent will not be charged with theft or larceny. But he was in lawful possession of a boat, someone with a gun ordered him off the boat, and he is no longer in possession of a boat.

Re: The Department of Homeland Security Stole My Boat Today

#57

Post by wilfra »

mindcrime wrote: post #20
[deleted] wrote: post #4

[deleted]

There's a pretty big difference between government seizure and stealing. There is? Coulda fooled me. If an individual took your boat without your permission, it's stealing. How is it different just because a large group of individuals got together and did it? Just because they give themselves fancy names like "government" and "State" and "DHS" doesn't mean they actually have any authority to take your property. I'm r…

the mises institute is that way ---->

Re: The Department of Homeland Security Stole My Boat Today

#59

Post by Zombieball »

GiraffeNecktie wrote: post #38

No, DHS did not "steal" your boat. They confiscated it and you'll get it back by following some lengthy and convoluted appeal process. But I seriously don't understand Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and why they have to be such utter dickheads on the Canadian border. Their Canadian counterparts (CBSA) are just as effective and efficient and somehow manage to be generally sane and rational.

I frequently travel across the border in both directions between BC & Washington. To be honest I believe that your experience often comes down to the particular agent you have to deal with in your crossing & how they feel that day. I've had US CBP agents question me at length for a simple crossing ("Are you sure you have never been arrested? Really sure? ") and Canadian CBSA agents pat me down and search every square inch of my car.

Crossing the border is a bit easier with a Nexus card, but again your experience really depends upon the agent you come upon any given day.

Some people just shouldn't be working in positions of 'authority'.

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