I agree Russell.  I acknowledge that I've had little
trouble with the Mountie's or even the local police in
BC, but I do know they have thier faults...but hey,
isn't this a government agency?  Of course it's
flawed. (Tax dollars = My money = Evil...no matter
what the use!) heh <jk>

But what I totally agree with the most is the wasted
effort to combat the evil plant called marijuana.  I
live in both the U.S. and Canada so I'll say this,
it's worse in the States.  All those resources used to
fight pot...what a waste.  But hey, I'm venturing
waaaaayyy off topic here...I'm sorry guys.  This is
one of those personal "issues" that gets me going
quickly. lol

Back to the Vanagons!

John

--- "Russell, William" <william.russell@UW-INC.COM>
wrote:
> True enough.  My anger comes from a couple of
> points.  I am pissed off
> that I am being picked on because of my recreation
> vehicle and
> threatened by hostile, insecure cops with guns and
> clubs AND, I am
> pissed off that my tax dollars are being wasted
> looking for people
> smoking pot.  I mean come on.  Every time I hear of
> a real crime being
> committed, I will think about those cops sitting
> around eating doughnuts
> and looking for 65hp VW vans cruising across Canada
> at 95km/hr in fear
> that they might be carrying some harmless weed.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Marshall [mailto:vanagon@volkswagen.org]
> Sent: May 14, 2002 20:41
> To: Russell, William; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: RE: Driving In Canada
>
> Hey!
>
> The cops here arn't that bad!  What you are saying
> is common sense that
> is
> applicable in any civilized country.
>
> - be nice
> - don't transport drugs
> - don't drink and drive
>
> I have been driving T3s for years now - and not just
> common everyday
> ones if
> they exist but 'weird' ones - never a problem.
>
> David Marshall
>
> Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
> 4356 Quesnel Hixon Road
> Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3
>
> http://www.fastforward.ca
> mailto:sales@fastforward.ca
> Phone: (250) 992 7775        FAX: (250) 992 1160
>
> - Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
> - Vanagon, Transporter and Iltis Sales and
> Importation
> - European Lighting for most Volkswagen models
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List
> [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> Of Russell, William
> Sent: May 14, 2002 2:25 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Driving In Canada
>
>
> I cannot recall who it was but recently someone
> asked for any tips about
> driving in Canada this summer and after having just
> completed my 4500km
> trip from Vancouver to Hamilton, I have some advice:
>
>
>
> Ensure that all your papers are in order.  This
> means license,
> registration, insurance, ownership, passport, etc.
> I mean completely in
> order and readily available!  The police up here
> seem to have decided
> that VW vans are the likely transport vehicles for
> the drug trade and
> are pulling them over without any reason whatsoever.
>
>
>
> Keep the van tidy inside.  They need justification
> to search a vehicle.
> If there is none, they cannot search it (this is
> based on their
> behaviour, not my legal understanding).  If you have
> liquor on board,
> keep in the furthest cabinet.  Make absolutely sure
> it is not in sight
> and certainly not within reach of the driver.
>
>
>
> Don't transport illegal narcotics around (certainly
> not the types that
> Western Canada is famous for and the dogs love
> smelling.  If you happen
> to be the type of person that carries a personal
> amount with you,
> avoiding a search should be your top priority.
>
>
>
> I was pulled over three times on the way from
> Vancouver to Hamilton.  I
> wasn't speeding or driving recklessly or not using
> signals or anything
> else.  I was carrying no illegal substances but I
> really don't like
> dealing with the police and certainly didn't
> appreciate the veiled
> threats that they presented.  I was never searched
> and I am convinced it
> is because everything was in order.  They scoured
> the vehicle through
> the windows using those giant "mag" lights, and I do
> mean SCOURED.  I am
> convinced that if they had seen anything that they
> could justify a
> search with, they would have torn the van apart.
> Instead they remained
> outside the vehicle, searched through the windows
> with flashlights, ran
> my credentials through the computer, checked the
> credentials of the
> person travelling with me, and made threats about
> dogs and
> incarceration.
>
>
>
> I saw several other VW vans pulled over as well.
> This was not something
> isolated to my and my van.  This is disgusting.  I
> was embarrassed for
> all Canadians.  What a waste of time and what a
> hassle.  In case you
> didn't notice the tone, I am #*&*$ pissed about
> this.
>
>
>
> Happy travelling,
>
>
>
> \/\/i!!y
>
> 1980 Westy "Jazzy"

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