A nation is only as strong as the food they keep out

Homeland Security has discovered another threat to the American way of life, it seems that packing your own lunch fixings could bring the republic to its knees.

That at least seems to be the impression that US Border Guards are giving as they crack down on visitors who bring their own sandwiches across the line when entering the USA. The Niagara Times Review passed on the bottom line on the lunch bag crackdown, "If they don't declare precisely the contents within their lunch bag, they may be looking at a hefty fine."

The recent ramping up of the investigation process has resulted in a number of fines, detentions and threats of having their much valued US identity cards seized. The increased attention to the foodstuffs of truckers and visitors is drawing no shortage of flack from industry on this side of the border, who have a string of American edicts to deal with before they can cross the border.

This latest one seems rather foolish and should serve to be just the latest irritant in the dealings of two nations that supposedly signed on to the concept of free trade and open borders. While you can understand the Americans worry over border crossings and potential danger that lurks along the 49th, but a bit of perspective might be a good thing for our friends in the USA.

Surely they have more important things to worry about and look for than some truckers corned beef sandwiches. The increase in the harassment levels will only lead eventually to a decrease in cross border traffic, which while good for Homeland Security might not be so good for the tourism industry.