fatbrit

Boiler neocon gives us 53,100 hits
Boiler communist gives us 705,000 hits
Boiler liberal only gives us 535,000 hits.

QED -- you're a communist!

scrubbedexpat099

And I never knew....

Thanks.

fatbrit

Google knows you better than you know yourself.

wordfool

Oh I don't know... the juries I've served on had some staggeringly ignorant and stupid members.

But I agree with your observation. It seems this guy was typical of the sort of people who yell "police brutality" when they ignore police instructions, break the law and are then forcibly restrained and arrested.

Lissbovavd

Why do you, and quite a few others, automatically presume that Mr Watts broke any law(s).
You were not there, I was not there. None of us were there.
It is just a rather interesting observation that surprisingly many people seem inclined to unquestioningly side with the CBP agents here.
I keep wondering why this is....

scrubbedexpat099

I was going on the basis he was found guilty in a court of law.

discoviking

He was found guilty by a jury in a court of law wasn't he?
That is correct.

I don't know about that, suggesting that it's a good idea to to comply with what an armed officer tells you to do, is not the same as taking the side of the officer. It's just common sense. There is always the option to sue afterwards.

Honestly though, I don't get what your point is.

crg

I didn't presume anything until the case was decided by a jury. None of us were there, so the way such things are sorted out is by a jury trial. He broke the law. 12 people agreed on that topic. All it took was one of the 12 to prevent the finding of guilt at that trial. The prosecution proved its case to 12 people beyond a reasonable doubt. Once that took place, we had our answer.

S Folinsky

I don't presume anything. In fact, until the jury returns, Mr. Watts was an "alleged" lawbreaker. In fact, due to libel laws, the press will always used the word "alleged" once formal charges have been filed. The jury has returned a verdict -- that becomes a legal FACT. That said, it should be said that the conviction is not "final" while it is on direct appeal -- although it is not uncommon for the defendant to be remanded to custody while on appeal.

Brit3964

And so often in such cases the jury tends to side with the authorities. Not saying that's right or wrong but seems to be the way it is. Of course we don't know all the facts, just looking in from outside.

Lissbovavd

Having researched this case as far as possible, my reluctant conclusion would have to be that passing through any US POE nowadays would seem to be tantamount to running a number of not insignificant risks.
Any visiting "alien" in fact relinquishes practically all human and legal rights when passing through the legally grey zone of the POE while at the mercy of the CBP.

I love the US for its wonderful people and the amazing sights and stunning nature, but a story such as this has regrettably put me off returning for quite some time.

Rete

Sorry that you won't be availing yourself of the nice things you like about the US simply because of one man's problem at a POE. Regardless of how much research you did about this case, you were not there, you do not have access to first hand witness and have only news reports and a jury decision to rely upon for facts.

While you base your decision on the consequences of one man's issue at a POE, you are discounting the thousands of others that day that did not have an issue.

Are the border agent's less forgiving and less casual then their counterparts prior to 9/11/2001? You're darn right they are and they have good reason for it IMHO. Getting into must countries these days is not a sure thing or without peril.

If you are willing to adhere to the guidelines at entry, then what might be your problem?

discoviking

I think the underlying issue is that he can not obtain a Burger King visa.

meauxna

You'd already decided you were put off from returning for quite some time. In fact, you are convinced that you are unable to return for quite some time.

Seems a bit of hyperbole to credit this case with your decision.

nettlebed

The OP's ax is very, very sharp by now...