Crossing the border
03/06/25 01:20
According to information from the White House and from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, increased scrutiny of those crossing the border from Canada to the US is being imposed as protection from deadly substances coming into the US from Canada. In February, the US President issued an executive order “Imposing Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border.” When administration officials speak of dangerous substances, they often talk of fentanyl. They do not give any information on how successful increased border security and the imposition of tariffs have been in reducing drugs entering the US. It is unclear why there has been such an emphasis on the Canadian border when it comes to fentanyl. Data indicates that only 0.2% of seizures of fentanyl occur at the Canadian border. The vast majority of fentanyl entering the US comes from Mexico. While some fentanyl is trafficked from the US to Canada, available data indicate that the amount is substantially less than the flow from the US to Canada.
Meanwhile, another hazardous substance flows from Canada to the US without any limits imposed by Customs and Border Protection. It is causing dangerous conditions for vast swaths of the US Midwest. It has been found to cause early death and respiratory issues, especially among seniors, young children, pregnant women, people who work outdoors, and people with chronic health conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, lung or heart conditions, and mental illness.
It is impossible to stop this threatening flow by increasing border security, limiting traffic at border crossings, or assigning additional personnel to border crossings.
Over the next few days, northwestern Wisconsin, eastern Nebraska, northeastern North Dakota, and most of Minnesota will be affected. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for the entire state. The threat pouring over the border is wildfire smoke. A cold front is moving southeast, bringing with it smoke from fires in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Ontario.
The threat is even greater than smoke. Ash plumes from Canadian wildfires have been drifting over the Upper Midwest, and sunset hues are orange and pink. The public has been advised to avoid physical activity outdoors. Those in high-risk groups, including those with lung and heart disease, seniors, and young children, should remain indoors. Exposure to wildfire smoke can worsen pre-existing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and can cause premature mortality.
Citizens are further warned of mild ashfall and reduced visibility. Ash fall can make highways slippery, and reduced visibility can lead to increased accidents.
Politicians can argue about the effectiveness of isolationist policies, but they cannot change the simple fact that we live in a global community. We share many parts of this world with others, irrespective of international boundaries and border protections. Air quality is affected by global emissions in all countries. Countries with the lowest individual carbon footprints often suffer the ill effects of pollution more severely than countries with the highest emissions.
The US Customs and Border Protection Agency could take actions to decrease carbon emissions and the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Secretary of Homeland Security Kris Noem's single trip aboard the Gulfstream G5 emits at least 3.6 metric tons of CO2. Combining trips and decreasing appearances for press purposes could significantly impact global air pollution.
I don’t expect to see a reduction in the secretary’s travel. If the budget bill now before the US Senate passes, a new $50 million jet will be in store for the US Coast Guard, providing executive travel for the secretary. Apparently, the new airplane will be exempt from the “buy America” provisions of the Biden Administration, as although Gulfstream is a US Company, they import Rolls-Royce turbofan engines manufactured in Dahlewitz, Germany, to power the proposed Gulfstream G-550.
Despite the current administration's protectionist rhetoric, it isn’t just air that we share with the rest of the world. We are part of a world economy. Goods and services are exchanged worldwide, with Americans consuming more items produced in other countries than are exported. This creates trade deficits, which seem to be the target of presidential social media posts without a significant understanding of either the cause or the effects of such deficits.
Meanwhile, the bill before the US Senate will create actual debt that exceeds our country's previous budget. The debt proposed will require decades to repay. In addition, the current trade war has created economic instability, resulting in a downgrade of the US credit ratings. This means that the cost of borrowing is going up.
Wildfires are part of the natural environment, and wildfires have raged across many areas of the world since before the current era. However, the size and intensity of wildfires have been steadily increasing in recent years, driven in part by human-caused global warming. Wildfires have a significant carbon impact. Burning vegetation and other organic matter releases CO2 and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. According to NASA, extreme forest fires in 2023 released about 640 metric tons of carbon, or about the same as 175 trips by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Specific data about the homeland security secretary's travel is not available, but she has engaged in multiple visits to foreign countries in addition to extensive domestic travel.
However, none of the debates in Washington look to ease discomfort and danger for those downwind of the wildfires. Experts predict intense wildfires will continue throughout the summer and early autumn. Smoky skies are in store for the Upper Midwest and other parts of the United States at least through October. The smoke poses a far greater danger to the health and well-being of US citizens than the consumption of illegal drugs.
Speaking of drug use, the country may be slightly safer now that Elon Musk has ended his service to the administration. According to reports in the Guardian, the Nation, and the New York Times, Musk's use of Ketamine, Ambien, Mushrooms, and other hallucinogens had a significant effect on his performance. There is no report from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection on increased inspections of his bags when he travels. An inspection of the luggage of a former South Dakota Governor, the next time she enters the US from a foreign trip, might also yield interesting results.
Meanwhile, another hazardous substance flows from Canada to the US without any limits imposed by Customs and Border Protection. It is causing dangerous conditions for vast swaths of the US Midwest. It has been found to cause early death and respiratory issues, especially among seniors, young children, pregnant women, people who work outdoors, and people with chronic health conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, lung or heart conditions, and mental illness.
It is impossible to stop this threatening flow by increasing border security, limiting traffic at border crossings, or assigning additional personnel to border crossings.
Over the next few days, northwestern Wisconsin, eastern Nebraska, northeastern North Dakota, and most of Minnesota will be affected. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for the entire state. The threat pouring over the border is wildfire smoke. A cold front is moving southeast, bringing with it smoke from fires in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Ontario.
The threat is even greater than smoke. Ash plumes from Canadian wildfires have been drifting over the Upper Midwest, and sunset hues are orange and pink. The public has been advised to avoid physical activity outdoors. Those in high-risk groups, including those with lung and heart disease, seniors, and young children, should remain indoors. Exposure to wildfire smoke can worsen pre-existing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and can cause premature mortality.
Citizens are further warned of mild ashfall and reduced visibility. Ash fall can make highways slippery, and reduced visibility can lead to increased accidents.
Politicians can argue about the effectiveness of isolationist policies, but they cannot change the simple fact that we live in a global community. We share many parts of this world with others, irrespective of international boundaries and border protections. Air quality is affected by global emissions in all countries. Countries with the lowest individual carbon footprints often suffer the ill effects of pollution more severely than countries with the highest emissions.
The US Customs and Border Protection Agency could take actions to decrease carbon emissions and the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Secretary of Homeland Security Kris Noem's single trip aboard the Gulfstream G5 emits at least 3.6 metric tons of CO2. Combining trips and decreasing appearances for press purposes could significantly impact global air pollution.
I don’t expect to see a reduction in the secretary’s travel. If the budget bill now before the US Senate passes, a new $50 million jet will be in store for the US Coast Guard, providing executive travel for the secretary. Apparently, the new airplane will be exempt from the “buy America” provisions of the Biden Administration, as although Gulfstream is a US Company, they import Rolls-Royce turbofan engines manufactured in Dahlewitz, Germany, to power the proposed Gulfstream G-550.
Despite the current administration's protectionist rhetoric, it isn’t just air that we share with the rest of the world. We are part of a world economy. Goods and services are exchanged worldwide, with Americans consuming more items produced in other countries than are exported. This creates trade deficits, which seem to be the target of presidential social media posts without a significant understanding of either the cause or the effects of such deficits.
Meanwhile, the bill before the US Senate will create actual debt that exceeds our country's previous budget. The debt proposed will require decades to repay. In addition, the current trade war has created economic instability, resulting in a downgrade of the US credit ratings. This means that the cost of borrowing is going up.
Wildfires are part of the natural environment, and wildfires have raged across many areas of the world since before the current era. However, the size and intensity of wildfires have been steadily increasing in recent years, driven in part by human-caused global warming. Wildfires have a significant carbon impact. Burning vegetation and other organic matter releases CO2 and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. According to NASA, extreme forest fires in 2023 released about 640 metric tons of carbon, or about the same as 175 trips by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Specific data about the homeland security secretary's travel is not available, but she has engaged in multiple visits to foreign countries in addition to extensive domestic travel.
However, none of the debates in Washington look to ease discomfort and danger for those downwind of the wildfires. Experts predict intense wildfires will continue throughout the summer and early autumn. Smoky skies are in store for the Upper Midwest and other parts of the United States at least through October. The smoke poses a far greater danger to the health and well-being of US citizens than the consumption of illegal drugs.
Speaking of drug use, the country may be slightly safer now that Elon Musk has ended his service to the administration. According to reports in the Guardian, the Nation, and the New York Times, Musk's use of Ketamine, Ambien, Mushrooms, and other hallucinogens had a significant effect on his performance. There is no report from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection on increased inspections of his bags when he travels. An inspection of the luggage of a former South Dakota Governor, the next time she enters the US from a foreign trip, might also yield interesting results.