Have US Home land security gone OTT?

[Al_The_Man]

I would like to relate a story that just recently happened to a couple of friends of mine.
I will start out by saying, I do not blame the US for due diligence at their borders, especially ever since 9-11.
BUT These two acquaintances who I have known for several years, both born in Canada, one in his 50's the other over 60, both of which have previously traveled to the US over the years on Holiday or business, prior to 9-11, both were refused entry to the US.
Each one recently booked a trip that was to be a holiday for one, the other intended to catch a connecting flight in the US to Central America for business.
Now US immigration for many years, have had a staff at every Canadian International airport in order to screen everyone that boards a flight to the US, this is on Canadian soil.
What is the reason that they were denied entry to the US and placed in the same category as would be a suspected terrorist?
Both had been charged for an offense when they were 18yrs old that would amount to what might be considered a youthful indiscretion, a minor offense that would not even make the local paper.
They both later had their record expunged, by application to the RCMP.
Since then these men have led exemplary lives, and are successful business men.
My friend that had to attend a business meeting in south America, had his passport taken, was detained for 3 hrs by US agents, therefore missing his flight, after which they told him they do not recognize his cleansed record!
He was required to find an airline that would fly him direct to his destination.
After this, I am not surprised what happened to Mahar Arar, another Canadian citizen that was taken to Syria and tortured.
http://www.maherarar.ca/mahers%20story.php
Al.

[jp3]

Hang in there bro, I think I see a light at the end of the tunnel.




-j