>We have roadblocks here fer Christ's sake! For drunk drivers ostensibly, but
>roadblocks without a good reason is, I believe, not permitted down south.

We have them here in Tennessee frequently on holiday weekends and I have
been stopped at one in rural VA near Salem. Always been sober (i was an MP
in Naples, Italy and consequently seen my share of broken cars and broken
bodies due to alcohol) but they did scratch their heads about my Italian
registered Beetle towing a Hyundai to TN one July night in 1995.

>Have talked at length with my criminal lawyer bros-in-law about the
>differences north and south, we have come up with many fanciful theories,
>but we all agree that Canadian society is more "pliable" than US society.

Different priorities. The tough guy mentality is one difference I saw
between Italy and America. In America you've got to be a tough guy and that
shapes attitudes about everything - guns, what car to drive, how to react
in situations (fight or flight), what to wear, football vs. the other
football, etc.

Just my opinion.

Chris

Chris Mills in TN