They're Ba--aack!

The Border Patrol checkpoint at the Hartford, Vt., rest stop is in operation again. (See previous posts for background.) As the Valley News story makes clear, the arguments for it are as cogent as ever: "“Anybody's that got a problem with it is probably hiding something," says one American who has apparently never heard of civil liberties. Since Newt Gingrich has a problem with the checkpoint, I guess the Border Patrol better pull him over next time he's up here campaigning.
But then, Newt's white, and so highly unlikely to be stopped at what locals call "The Whiteness Checkpoint." And busting white folks would clash with the checkpoint's real mission.
It must have one, but the mission's clearly not antiterrorism, since it hasn't caught anyone remotely related to terror. And how could it, when, as Newt pointed out to a Valley News reporter, Al-Qaeda is likely to notice that you can just get off one exit ahead and drive around? And the mission can't be busting illegal immigrants, 'cause the meager haul just isn't worth the man-hours and money.
The real mission seems to be politics. The checkpoint first started up in time to remind drivers to be afraid and vote GOP for the 2004 election. When that campaign was over, the manpower for this allegedly vital and permanent post was rushed down to the Southwest to help the administration pacify disaffected "vigilante" voters. They've stopped back up now and then, but it sure is interesting that they're back just in time for the 2008 primary. How long will they be staying?
As of now, plans for a permanent checkpoint building (see previous posts) are on hold , as what was once forced on us as "essential" has been tacitly admitted to be unneeded. But political winds could change, and the $11 million boondoggle could be erected, especially if misguided Hartford selectmen get their way.
It's time to organize protests and shut this political puppet show down.