Don't It Make Ya Proud?

Tip o' the hat to Michael for this reassuring example of Bush's Homeland Security goons at work:

"Jason Haist's arrival in the U.S. was a complete accident. After nearly drowning in rapids on the Niagara River, he [and a friend] washed ashore on American soil, where he was promptly informed he faced charges for entering the country illegally and could be detained for up to three weeks while officials try to determine his intentions."

The jet ski accident happened after Jason had contacted the US Coast Guard to determine whether it was legal to make his proposed trip. I'm sure all terrorists do that.

"Jason Haist, who was put on an IV drip after having fluid pumped from his lungs, said he could hear a border official using a walkie-talkie outside his hospital room.

"'He was on machines all night,' Kerr said. Haist was discharged from the hospital around 3 a.m. and arrested shortly after.

"'He told them, 'I almost died. I didn't plan on washing up on your land,' Kerr said.

"The men will remain in custody at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility until they can appear before an immigration judge.

"'They're here illegally,' Ciliberti said, because they turned up at an unauthorized point of entry, a U.S. customs violation. It doesn't help Haist's case that he didn't have any identification in his wetsuit. All he had was his boater's card, Kerr said.

"Ciliberti said the pair received notices to appear before a judge and explain their circumstances. If they choose to cancel the notice to appear and return to Canada voluntarily, Ciliberti said, 'you're admitting you're in the States illegally.' And if they don't appear, they will be deported and denied entry to the U.S. for at least five years.'"

Hit 'em where they live. I'm sure they're dying to come back.

As far as I know, they're still in detention. The moral of the story? Just don't have a near-drowning experience near our shore, buddy.

Other than that, I really don't know what to say.