I was reading Celia's post on illegal immigrants passing through the Mexican border through a man-made tunnel. I found an article about a photographer from National Geographic, who crossed the Mexican border with a group of migrants. The problem with magazine articles and the media's approach to illegal immigration is the realities they construct. Media constructs reality. Is that reality based upon a perceived global perspective or a baised opinion? I want to question what I read and hear critically because I have never been to the Mexican border, so how do I know what is occuring? There are different levels at which illegal immigration is connected to.

Photographer Recounts Crossing U.S. Border With Mexican Illegal Immigrants
National Geographic Adventure magazine
January 23, 2003

The busiest gateway for illegal immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border for the past five years—a 261-mile-long (420 kilometer) stretch of Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona—is now considered the deadliest point of entry as well. According to the Border Patrol, this remote corridor—which also contains Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, considered the country's most dangerous national park—claimed at least 134 illegal immigrants' lives last year, more than any other region along the border.

To shed light on the life-and-death struggle of migrants entering the U.S., photojournalist and author John Annerino began documenting their story twelve years ago. He shares his experiences in his book Dead in Their Tracks: Crossing America's Desert Borderlands., in the February 2003 issue of National Geographic Adventure magazine (read an excerpt from "National Park War Zone"), and in this online-exclusive interview.

In 1987, you crossed the U.S.-Mexico border with four other migrants. What was that journey like?
We started out about four or five [o'clock] in the afternoon—migrants usually leave for the border around then. Three of the men had walked the route before, which had been handed down from one generation to the next. So they weren't following a trail per se. They were keying off geographical landmarks like mountain ranges.
During the summer, the Barry M. Goldwater Range is very grim country. We walked until midnight without taking a rest. One [migrant] had a flashlight. There was enough ambient light so your eyes grew accustomed to the dark. But still you'd bump into a prickly pear or cholla cactus and have to stop and pull the thorns out of person's leg or shoe.
Then we rested—as much as you can [when you're] tossing and turning on the hot sand in your t-shirt. We were up by 4:30 a.m. ready to roll, and walked until 8 p.m. If you're trained and acclimated to the heat, you really don't notice it until you become dehydrated. Your muscles become cramped from lactic acid and from the number of hours you're standing upright. You get dizzy, feel nauseous. You can't hold down water. Mine lasted for about 40 miles [65 kilometers] and then I was out. We just made it because it was starting to cool, and the goal was in sight—in this case Interstate 8. We could actually hear it miles off. So that spurred us on, as did the camaraderie of the group.

What did you learn from the trip?
The extraordinary lengths that human beings will go to make a better life for themselves. If we had another five miles [8 kilometers] to go, we might not have all made it. And they were doing this to feed their families.

How easy is it to cross the border without being apprehended?
Very easy, if you know what you're doing. There are those who believe that if they walk these extraordinarily long distances across the desert, they'll evade the Border Patrol. And again, we're talking 30 to120 miles [50 to 190 kilometers]. You can make it if can handle the heat and distance—and if you don't get caught.
But there are other groups of people who are more knowledgeable. Some cross through a hole in the fence [along the border], from Nogales, Sonora [Mexico], to Nogales, Arizona, hire a taxi, and a mile [1.6 kilometers] south of a Border Patrol checkpoint, the riders will get out of the car, walk into the desert maybe a mile [1.6 kilometers], then north for another two miles [3.2 kilometers], and the taxi driver, having gone through the checkpoint, will be waiting alongside the highway or access road off Interstate 19 to pick up the group and take them to Phoenix. They don't run the risk of dying in the desert.

I had no thought about immigration—I was just climbing this beautiful peak, and enjoying the beautiful desert landscape. Several years later I started seeing trash and the trails [left by migrants] and I began wondering who was doing this and why—and that changed my perspective. So of course it bothers me to see a park like Organ Pipe get trashed, but on the other hand, you see the human side—our neighbors suffering and dying on American soil—and that's very painful for me.

SAVE MCS!!

Detroit city council has voted to tear down Michigan Central Station


Detroit City Council has given the owner 30 days to propose a plan for development of the building or front the bill for demolition.

Tragic

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090407/METRO/904070421/Detroit+council+votes+to+demolish+Michigan+Central+Depot++charge+owner

Windsor Related Songs

While doing some research I found tons of songs referencing Detroit, but barely any about Windsor. I was wondering if anyone knows of any?

Conestellations of Los Angeles

An interesting pyschogeography project posted in Archinect.com

















from archinect

Let us say and imagine, in Los Angeles, urban scale "planned points of interests" are indeed constellations. They are places in this vast metropolis. They are formed by the grid, by the politicians and their supporters, developers, engineers, and, as far as the buildings go, the architects.

Separated by mere 15 miles and sometimes as close as the next lane, urban core of Los Angeles is indeed 'the house of everything.' All the variables contrasted and occupied. The grid goes for hundreds of sq. miles. These special constellations let us to assume, experience, imagine and expect while driving. They are vortices of our stories in an horoscopic sense. These are the lines of our reality and the reasons of our act.

http://archinect.com/features/article.php?id=87171_0_23_0_C

Russia and the Scramble for the Arctic

The National reported last night on the developments of the arctic confrontation between Canada and Russia and the oil which potentially lies below the ice. Chilingarov the Russian political figure leading the effort of Russian sovereignty belittled Canadian claims to the arctic. Chilingarov is the man responsible for the planting of the Russian flag below the ice as a message directly to Canada that Russia has both the right and ability to control the North Pole region.

Russia has until next year to prove its claim to the North Pole to the UN, Canada has until 2013. With 25% of the world's oil and gas reserves could be located here and the race is on for either Canada or Russia to claim its ownership.

Last week Russia announced that they will soon be positioning troops in this region of the arctic, creating stations under the control of the Federal Security Service. (The successor of the KGB)

Chilingarov told CBC that there is no cold war today and that it is useless for Canada to fight for control of the arctic. He argues that only Russia has the ability to establish a presence in this region, thus giving them rights to the region through a military presence which will soon be underway. Even if Canada wanted to stake claim to the North Pole, Chilingarov says that Canada does not have the equipment to do so. He also pointed out that merely saying that the arctic is Canadian territory is not enough, but a physical presence is needed. Action must be taken on the part of Canada if they even want to contend.

While Russia says that they will abide by the decision set by the UN as to who has control over the region, they feel that with lack of Canadian initiative or presence they have already proved their claim.

Border Watching: A New Hobby?

I came across this CNN news article (link at the bottom) recently about US citizens who have been monitoring live online feeds from the US/Mexico border in the hopes of reporting any suspicious activities captured on camera. The website is http://www.blueservo.net/ . I haven't gone through the hassle of signing up, but I think any one can become a member and stare at a grainy video image for as long as you want. Apparently participants do it as part of their "civic duty".

As a side link in the article, I discovered http://www.borderstories.org/ which has a collection of truly fascinating short videos about the US/Mexico border as seen through a wide variety of participants. Well worth your time to go through them.

On a different topic, as used for a source in the Contested Spaces presentation, the blog "Strange Maps" (http://strangemaps.wordpress.com/) finds and collects unique maps of all sorts.

Furthermore http://www.archive.org/details/Contested-Spaces-Video-Project is a site with a collection of 20 minute videos on contested spaces worldwide. The Cyprus video shows a good example of a "fold border variety" where a UN buffer zone established a ghetto region in the capital city.

CNN article: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/12/border.security.cameras.immigration/index.html

Border Patrol Agents Discover Crude Cross-Border Tunnel

"(Monday, March 30, 2009)
Otay Mesa, Calif. - Early yesterday morning, a crudely built cross-border tunnel was discovered by Border Patrol agents in Otay Mesa after surveillance cameras observed a large group of suspected illegal aliens attempting to enter the country.

Inside of a cross-border tunnel in Otay Mesa, Calif.
At about 12:45 a.m., Border Patrol surveillance camera operators observed several individuals in Mexico running up to the primary border fence about one mile west of the Otay Mesa port of entry.
About 30 minutes later, the camera operators spotted two people north of the border fence, while a third person was following by crawling out of a hole in the ground. Agents responded and were able to apprehend one of the individuals, as the other two re-entered the hole and returned to Mexico. ..." Exerpt for San Diego SectorCBP Public Affairs News Release. http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/03302009_8.xml

Defiantly

CBC's the National held their broadcast from the AGW here in Windsor this evening. The second half of the news broadcast was completely devoted to Windsor-Detroit economic issues and discussed how these cities are interrelated and dependent upon each other. The news cast is again worth watching and provided below. It's great to see how the issues we discuss here in Windsor are being brought to national attention!

The portion on Windsor-Detroit begins at 25:05

March 31, 2009

Canada Catching On?

Yesterday, CBC's the National held two reports on the central issues which we have been examining in our class. Firstly, the U.S. - Mexico border was considered, taking a look at gang violence and the development of drug trafficing out of Mexico. The report considers how weapons are suggled into Mexico and in return drugs are smuggled out to establish this circle of 'trade' with the States. Secondly, there was an investigative report on the Detroit economy in light of the recent recession. CBC highlighted emprical data to establish the position of Detroit, green economy potential, the incredibly low prices of housing (low as a dollar as we discussed), and how residents are copping with the ever steeper decline.

I've posted a link to the entire newscast. The segment on Mexico begins at the 19:25 mark, and right after the Detroit investigation begins at 23:40.

CBC National March 30, 2009

I was wondering how many border crossings there are between Canada and the United States. Altogether there are 109 crossing areas. My question is, since Canada is so large of a country and the border crossings are located along the Canada-U.S. area, then how is the northern area of Canada being kept secure?

Canada's Answer to Security in Northern Canada:

• Alert, Nunavut is the most Northern part of Canada. "It also has many temporary inhabitants as it hosts a military signals intelligence radio receiving facility at Canadian Forces Station Alert (CFS Alert)(Wikipedia)."

• Canada says will defend its Arctic

source: Google News

(AFP) — The Canadian government on Friday reaffirmed its Arctic claims, saying it will defend its northern territories and waters after Russia earlier announced plans to militarize the North.
"Canada is an Arctic power," Catherine Loubier, a spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon, said in an email to AFP.
"The government is engaged in protecting the security of Canada and in exercising its sovereignty in the North, including Canadian waters," she said.

Loubier pointed to the planned acquisition of Arctic patrol vessels, construction of a deep water port and eavesdropping network in the region, annual military exercises and boosting the number Inuit Arctic rangers keeping on eye on goings-on along its northern frontier.
Earlier, Russia announced plans to turn the Arctic into its "leading strategic resource base" by 2020 and station troops there, documents showed, as nations race to stake a claim to the oil-rich region.

The country's strategy for the Arctic through 2020 -- adopted last year and now published on the national security council website -- says one of Russia's main goals for the region is to put troops in its Arctic zone "capable of ensuring military security."

Do you think Canada's Arctic is secure enough against other countries?

"Crossing borders"

I was doing some research and I came across this film "Crossing Borders" which deals with the U.S Mexico border. The film was made by some Canadian students who went to the border of Douglas Arizona and Agua Prieta, Sonora in Mexico where they documented the stories of local youth living on either side of the border. They were actually the winners of the Young Cuts International Film Festival in 2008.
This particular section of the U.S Mexico border that's documented in the film is one of the most dangerous to cross at, but also one that Mexicans illegally cross often because its also quite hard to patrol.
What's really interesting in this film is the story line about a 17 year old girl who is in a rehabilitation center in Mexico because she has a drug addiction. I was aware for various reasons the drug trafficking that takes place in Mexico, but never really related it to a sex industry. But apparently a lot of female youth in this area may get into drugs, and then to make money to keep up the habit, start prostituting themselves for cash. When I think child prostitution I usually think of countries in Asia, never really Mexico. But unfortunately it is a reality there and a cross border industry. Tourists will come to these places to have sex with 15 year old's, it's heartbreaking.
The film is also interesting because it talks to youth in Douglas, and how they view the other side of the border. It's interesting to see the how the youth on the American side can't quite comprehend the reality of Meico without having grown up there themselves. There take on it plays interestingly against the reality the film presents.
When you start to think about borders it's odd to try and wrap your head around the drastic difference in realities of either side. How a simple line can demarcate poverty and wealth.
It's a neat film, try and watch it if you have a chance its not to long either.
http://doc.freethechildren.com/en/film/doc/crossing-borders

Motor City Burning

If anyone is interested in racial tensions building upto the 67 riots in detroit, there is a great documentary on youtube, its a radio broadcast and is almost 3 hours long, but the first 40 min explains alot on its own - thats as far as ive got...

This talks alot about racial problems in the big 3, with the police force (a biggie), in schools, and housing all of these tensions leading upto the 67 riots.

The full series can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=5E6787ECB252C5D2

They're watching you

I came across this photo the other day when doing some image research on the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps, a vigilante group that began in Arizona, California and Texas. However, this burly fellow was apparently monitoring the Canadian border from Washington State in 2006. Since 2005, the Minutemen have established chapters in Maine, Vermont, Michigan and Washington state, along with their usual holdouts on the southern border. They must be really bored. I think it would be interesting to begin a counter movement to monitor the minutemen.
http://pro.corbis.com/search/Enlargement.aspx?CID=isg&mediauid={23A3D25F-6CEF-4598-84F7-519CDE0BB259}

With Chris and Shane's presentation on Thursday, the topic of 'terrorist preventative' designs for buildings came into topic. The example of the Windsor CAS building was a good example of this, concidering they have had several disgruntled drivers attempt the destruction of CAS property. the image at: www.fixcas.com/news/2008/b2008b.htm
In this particular case, landscaping has helped take preventative measures against further damage of their property, clever.
You guys also discussed how borders control the inflow and outflow of people through funnels, pipes, folds and enclosures. It is interesting to conciser how these methods are used for other spaces such as stadiums, airports and even shopping centres. It seems as though we are being hearded through spaces like cattle.
Mike Davis evaluates some clever methods used to prevent certain behaviour in spaces, such as the 'bum bench' in L.A. Have you ever concidered the similarities between these designs of controlling human behaviour and methods used for controlling animal behaviour? Example: a common way for companies to prevent birds from settling on their signs and buildings nests is to place spikes on top of the signs. This prevents the birds from resting where they are not intended to rest. This has a similar intent as the 'bum bench'- the curved bench designed to prevent homeless people from sleeping on them in parks.
Are we ushered like heards in and out of spaces? It seams we are increasingly being directed where to enter and exit and told where we can and can't sit.

Lindsay Whalen

Eco Friendly Idea for Windsor

Since we do live in a border city we get more pollution due to the traffic and trucks that go over the bridge daily. While looking up new ways to make windsor a more green friendly place I came across Minnesota building a new piece of architecture. The piece is put on I-35W which is a busy traffic route to a bridge.(Sound familiar?) This sculpture uses something called photocatalytic skin which "converts gases like carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and sulfur dioxide to higher oxidized states," in other words sucks up some harmful pollution. A great idea would to have the art community or even the U of W art students to create a couple of sculptures to be put along huron church or even along the water front using this material!!

Mural Art

I came across a few links to some mural artists. With a little bit of research, its become apparent to me that mural art is a hugely important medium in Mexican culture, which is clear when we look at the art along the Mexico/U.S. border.

Check these out:
The Art of the Mural
Hector Duarte

Rappers unable to cross the border

I found this article in Macleans.ca very interesting. I thought I would share:
rapper's war with border

Its about American musicians, particularly Chuck D. from Public Enemy, who are given a difficult time in crossing the Canadian border to play shows here. He states he is severely questioned treated with heavy security that he says resembles the Berlin Wall (something that was more humane.)
An immigration lawyer further discusses the topic saying that they are given a hard time due to minor offenses given in the states such as possession charges and DUIs. And this is not always of the musician but of someone in their entourage that is essential to the show.
Personally, I am glad Canadian Customs is strengthening their procedures and not giving way just because the ones crossing are famous celebrities. I believe everyone should be questioned thoroughly when entering the border no matter race or job description or status.
Anyways, check out the article. What is even more interesting is what Canadian rapper Belly says about Canadian customs officials.

Post production a new industry for windsor?

Earlier this month there was an article published in the Windsor Star about the wave of film making that's taken place in Michigan over the last year. As a way of bringing revenue to the city, the government has offered filmmakers generous tax breaks for shooting in the state. As a result, last year they generated $126 million in spending. They state also plans to create three new ventures which will generate as many as 6,000 new jobs.
Here in Windsor we have many talented independent filmmakers, as well as university students hoping to break into the business. The problem is is that when most of these students graduate they'll likely leave looking for a better developed industry somewhere else. Losing talent is never good, but the saddest part is that Windsor really is a great city to make films.
The article talks about current Ontario tax breaks for shooting in this province, but as far as I can tell the incentives don't quite beat Detroit. On the plus side, our proximity to Detroit puts us in a good position to house a post production facility which a local filmmaker is hoping to build. This would allow the filmmakers to shoot in Michigan, and come here to use the state of the art post production facility to do their editing etc. This would create a variety of jobs in Windsor and bring much needed revenue to this city.
I think Windsor is a great city for film making, but it's potential is underdeveloped. Windsor allows for a big city feel, but quite country side is just 15 minutes away. Our unique border position to an even bigger city with lots to offer the industry is also advantageous. I think Windsor should try and work in collaboration with Detroit to try and bring the industry to the area as a whole allowing both cities to create a cross border film industry. People always talk about how we need to find a new "niche" to generate more money in our economy, I think movie making would be an exciting and profitable way to do that.
Here is the article that ran in the star, the address may need to be copy and pasted.
http://www.windsorstar.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Hollywood+migrates+Michigan/1334743/story.html

The Windsor Riverfront

I know this picture is old, but I have a serious problem with it. My problem is that the Casino is the largest visible property in ALL of Windsor. I know it's meant to draw Americans to our side of the river, but it just makes our city look bad because the casino is just so prominent. It makes it seem as if there is nothing is worthwhile here, while in fact that it over shadows various other wonderful buildings and monuments in Windsor.

Although it brings in a lot of revenue for the city, the casino's infrastructure does not do the city aesthetic justice.

That's just how I feel.

Detroit Unrealestate Agency arrives in Windsor

The Detroit UnReal Estate Agency has been running for close to a year now detroitunrealestateagency.blogspot.com.
This weekend I acted as a Canadian agent for this group in bringing Windsor into the fold of UnReality by posting signs at sites of current and former big three territory. It was especially difficult getting anywhere near Chrysler as there are security fences and private patrol cars circling about the plant quite frequently.
Stay tuned for more UnReal Estate action as we team up with Broken City Lab this Spring. If you're interested in contribting to this project in terms of location scouting/documenting, please let me know.

This is part of my write-up for the Border book, section on Crossing the "Detroit River: The historical and contemporary issues of illegally crossing the boarder." I see a connection between the history of the Underground Railroad and illegal immigration.

Today the Detroit-Windsor boarder has high security after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Canada’s Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day says ,“People cannot come into this country without proper documentation and consequences will follow if they do”(CTV News Staff, 2007). Windsor’s unemployment rate is around 10%, so having unemployed refugees are a problem economically.

ICE (U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in Detroit, deals with
homeland security issues. ICE investigates cases of human trafficking and smuggling. What is the difference between human trafficking and smuggling? According to Ice, “victims are trafficked into the international sex trade and into forced labor situations throughout the world” (ICE, 2009). Human smuggling deals with the transportation of illegal immigrants.

On the Canadian side, the Citizenship and Immigration Canada handles the immigration applications. The Immigration Control Officer Network was designed to combat illegal immigration through set protocols, through reports, and resource materials (Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2001).

The argument stands, are illegal immigrants wrong in seeking freedom in Canada and is there racism behind who can and cannot cross the boarder?

CURRENT CASES OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION:
January 3, 2006

“Since May, about 12 people have been arrested at the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, above, or Ambassador Bridge on immigrant-smuggling charges. Robert Johnson was down on his luck and short on cash last month when a man named Hunt offered him $800 to smuggle two Chinese immigrants in the trunk of his car into the United States through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel” (DAVID ASHENFELTER, 2006).

Ashenfelter, D. (2006). Free Press. Asked to smuggle? Beware Border police on alert for illegal immigrants.Retrieved March 16, 2009, from http://www.freep.com


February 15th, 2006
“WINDSOR, Ontario (AP) - A human smuggling ring that charged Asian and Eastern European migrants thousands of dollars to send them across the Canadian-U.S. border - sometimes hanging on the sides of freight trains or stuffed in car trunks - was brought down yesterday with the arrests of 17 people, U.S. and Canadian authorities said. U.S. authorities said they intercepted 74 illegal aliens being smuggled from Canada into the United States. Canadian officials said 24 migrants were stopped going into Canada” (Michigan Daily, 2006).

Michigan Daily. (2006). Authorities topple human smuggling ring. Retrieved March 16, 2009, from http:// www.michigandaily.com

May 31, 2007
“A couple from Cameroon was sentenced for involuntary servitude and related charges. Joseph Djoumessi, 49, was found guilty of conspiracy, involuntary servitude and harboring for financial gain. ICE agents in Detroit began an investigation in 2000 after receiving information regarding a young girl who was possibly being held against her will. A 17-year-old girl from Cameroon was discovered in the Djoumessi home, living under a false identity and in questionable circumstances. The girl had been brought into the United States illegally when she was 14 years old” (ICE, 2009).

ICE. (2009). Retrieved March 16, 2009, from http://www.ice.gov

Why illegally immigrate to Windsor?

If slaves from the Underground Railroad could live freely in Canada, then what about an immigrant seeking the same freedom by crossing the boarder by “illegal standards”? Would the negative opinions surrounding illegal immigration change, if people could hear the personal stories of the ‘illegal’ immigrants?

“I don’t know if what I was told about coming here was correct or not, but what am I going to do about it now?” said Pedro Palafox Marin, who said he paid $800 to the organization before driving through the night to Windsor with his wife and children.
“I could smell the freedom when I crossed over,” said Ms. Gonzalez, 25. “I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but the pressure of worrying about getting caught never let you sleep well.”

MONICA DAVEY and ABBY GOODNOUGH. (2007). Windsor Star. Illegal Immigrants Chase False Hope to Canada. Retrieved March 16, 2009, from http://www.windsorstar.com

Both of these statements were made by illegal immigrants, who came to Windsor, Canada seeking freedom.

Over time, the Detroit-Windsor boarder has functioned as the route for the freedom of immigrants, whether through the Underground Railroad or contemporary illegal immigration. Boarders shape lives not only locally,
nationally, but on a global scale. The past is found in the present and the present is found in the past.

“A modern democracy is a tyranny whose borders are undefined; one discovers how far one can go only by traveling in a straight line until one is stopped.”
Norman Mailer

Hans Island, Canadian Earth

All of Canada's borders might not be as definite as you may expect.
While Canada is a sovereign nation, there are several territorial disputes which exist with its neighbors, Denmark (Greenland) and the United States. These conflicts of international borders pertain mainly to areas of uncertainty in the Arctic region which previously may have stood as insignificant. Though recently with the phenomenon of global warming, Arctic sovereignty has become a hot topic issue as there will be a scramble to establish these waters as international or national as the melting icecaps will allow new shipping lanes.

Hans Island, named by Elisha Kent Kane in 1853, is little more than a rock, is at the center of this debate as Canada and Denmark both claim for it to be on their side of the border line. It is a small, uninhabited area measuring 1.3 km² and is located and is located / 80.82806; -66.45972 in the center of the Kennedy Channel of Nares Strait which separates Ellesmere Island from Greenland and connects Baffin Bay with the Lincoln Sea.

The history of the dispute is little more than several flag mounting efforts by both Canadian and Danish authorities, beginning in 1988 and continuing to the present day. Dome Petroleum (Calgary based) preformed research on the island in the early 1980's. In 2005 the Canadian Defense Minister made a symbolic visit to the island and there have now been mutual efforts between Denmark and Canada to build a mutual weather station on the island. Satellite photos from July 2007 now show the border to be going directly though Hans Island, though dispute over its sovereignty remains.

The situation here is not unique to Canada and Denmark as there are several islands around the world which give rise to heated debates in respect to their sovereignty. Dokdo Island in the sea of Japan is an example of this where South Korea and Japan both claim control over what is little more than a group of rocks with the size of 0.18km2. Dokdo has officially remained in South Korean possession since 1954, though the Japaneese have continued to claim it as theirs. Check out this blog which proclaims 'Korea's ancient title to the Dokdo region': Dokdo in Korea!

Here is a list of other Canadian disputed territory:

Machias Seal Island: New Brunswick and Maine

North Rock: New Brunswick and Maine

Straight of Juan de Fuca: British Columbia and Washington

Dixon Entrance: British Columbia and Alaska

Portland Canal: British Columbia and Alaska

The North West Passage in the Arctic waters is currently the most contested as with the melting icecaps, new shipping lanes will be available which naturally the U.S. feels entitled to utilize.

Cental American Borders

The majority of our personal experience with the border be it here in Windsor or abroad has probably been in the context of customs when traveling. In Central America they have border issues which are far more complex than length of stay and goods purchased.

Last week, El Salvador held a historic election where the hard right wing conservative party ARENA fell after years of power and was replaced for the first time by the left wing national liberation party, FMLN. Pictured is a civilian road blockade to stop people from Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua from entering the country to vote illegally - with fake voter identification provided by the ARENA government.

If you were caught doing the bidding of the ARENA party, I'm sure you were not just sent on your way peacefully.

The sign translates to "I'm not an ARENA supporter because I am not a millionaire, I don't sell out my motherland, I am not corrupt, I don't have shit in my head, and more..." These people are passionate about their politics.

Worlds Smallest International Bridge?

The world smallest international bridge is said to be between Canada and the United States, residing in the Thousand Island area of the St. Lawrence River, between New York and Ontario. The pair of islands referred to as Zavikon (happy wigwam?) is joined by a bridge spanning about 32 feet and thus acts as the shortest international bridge crossing. The larger of the two islands is Canadian territory with a full house, while the smaller belongs to that of the United States and acts as the backyard. Having traveled here as a child, I was told the story that this was the smallest international bridge, though Wikipedia seems to suggest that this is just folklore and that both islands are part of the county of Leeds and Grenville, Ontario, Canada. Internet based sources seem to be divided some suggesting that this is the smallest international bridge, and other that is acts merly as a symbolic representaion of the friendly Canadian - American relationship.

Google Earth, which acts as evidence for those who shout that this is inaccurate, shows the Canadain - American border to not be passing inbetween these islands, though has Zavikon placed completely in American waters. This renders the argument to be very confusing with people advocating every position possible. Could Google Earth be inacurate? It is known that in the division of the 1000 Islands, no island was to be cut in two though it seems odd that people would write that both are Canadian if they are sitting in American waters. Why would people have been under these false pretenses?

Nevertheless, whether entirely Canadian, American, or split down the middle it provides a fun perspective on international border crossings. I’m sure it is one which will not be causing any political strife!

Algorithmic Walk Leads to Robbery

The algorithmic walk taken in January led us to The Gourmet Emporium (1799 Wyandotte St. E.) We notice that this restaurant had an unusual interior. It was not set up like a typical restaurant or cafe. The two floor restaurant we had come to find out was previously a BMO bank and a hair salon before becoming the Emporium. This location came to mind when we were discussing place and non place in class.
The Great Bank Robbery of '59

The Gourmet Emporium is where the great bank robbery of 1959 took place. We had coffee in a place that was once the site of a cops and robbers real life drama. There were 3 tellers at (what was then the BMO) bank on June 9, 1959.Two men (Nicholas Hamilton and Kenneth Irwin came in wearing white jackets, hoods, black gloves and sunglasses . Armed and ready the robbers took $10, 733.
Both men were arrested and sentenced to jail time at the Kingston penitentiary.

Two's Company!

Your trip to France this summer just got 6, 054km closer than what you expected, Canada has another neighbour in addition to the United States! Only 25km off the coast of Newfoundland in the North Atlantic there are a group of islands which belong to the French Territorial Collectivity of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon making France Canada's next closest neighbour (Greenland is 230km at its closet point). These islands are the only remnant of the former colonial empire of New France which remain under French control.

This community has a rich history of France – Canada and France – U.S. relations which stems back to the age of exploration with the European colonial expansion into the Americas. Prior to European contacts, the islands were inhabited by the native Indians known as the Beothuk which became extinct in 1829. Initially the area was coveted for its prime fishing, which led to disputes between English and French settlers. Though the islands were frequently visited it was not until the 17th century that the islands came to have permanent French residents. The 17th century saw British attack and takeover of the islands, which with the Treaty of Paris resulted in their turnover again to the French as is ceded all of New France to British possession except these islands specifically.

The islands have acted in North American history in varying degrees, playing a role in the prohibition period, acting as bases for smugglers, for example. Suspected of Nazi allegiance in the Second World War, there was rumor of plans for a Canadian invasion of the islands, though the attack never took place. It was one of the first territories of France to be liberated and form Free France in 1941, as a French submarine crossed the Atlantic and secured the islands. The history of this area is truly incredible, with strange French connections to North America such as the only use of the guillotine in the continental area in 1888.

The government functions through electing a prefect who answers to the President of the Territorial Council of France who in turn is overseen by the President of France. Saint-Pierre and Miquelon operate under the Euro currency and has an area of 242km2. The permanent population is 6,125 people. Their economy currently resides on fishing, and tourism with minimal agriculture and no industry.

While the real political effects are quite minimal it’s fascinating to have French territory so close to Canada!

Onion News Parody

The Onion News Network (an over the top news website devoted completely to ‘fake American news’) has an amusing parody of the U.S. – Mexico border issue. Their 'In The Know' segment considers the border issue and their team proposes an elaborate moat as an alternative solution.

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/in_the_know_the_u_s_moat

The lunacy and complete silliness of this parody perhaps holds truth when considering the dramatic and complicated nature of the fence which aims to prevent mobility; the free passage of people.

"HEY YOU! Stay over there!"

John Stossel (mustache and all) presented a series on ABC’s 20/20 ‘Bailouts and Bull’ which comments on the array of issues currently at hand in regard of American politics and policy making. Part 5 considers the current border issues and ultimately trivializes the efforts to ‘fence America’, focusing mainly on Mexico. Though the segment is brief, it highlights the main point of concern in creating this fence, maintaining the position that it just doesn’t work.

Homeland Security concentrates the fence in correlation to population density, but as Robert Crooks a self appointed border patrol puts it, “the smart smuggler ‘aint going to go where the high security is at, the smart smuggler is going to take their shit to the weak spot.” Congress seems to think that the wall is the solution to all and as seen in the video, there are even suggestions of electrifying the fence so that the function is similar to that which is used for livestock.

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7081574

To further the issue, Stossel points out that the majority of ‘illegal’s’ come to the States by legal means though documentation and check points, but just stay past the expiration of their visas.

While Stossel recognizes that people should be restrained from freely entering the country for the sake of stopping ‘freeloaders’ and terrorists, Stossel does not provide an alternative which renders his efforts to be more of a rant than an effective opposition.

Detroit Afternoon Trip

Today I went over to Detroit to check out the Dequindre Cut, a pedestrian trail running on an old sunken train line (which i will tell you more about next class as it pertains to my border book) and as per Lee's recommendation i went over to Belle Isle for the first time. I just wanted to share my experience a little as it was a great time. Here are a couple photo's.

Whitcomb Conservatory - Belle Isle


Dequindre Cut - Greenlink








Mind you this is only a small sampleing of the amout of graffiti art on the Dequindre Cut. Its worth checking out, it seemed quite safe as there are many cameras and the odd police car patroling be i did still feel uneasy as you are very much out of sight from people on the street. But its definatly worth checking out.

Recently, I toured the Sandwich First Baptist Church in Windsor. There is so much history on the underground railroad in the local area that is not even known about. One of the tour guides worked with Rosa Parks for three years and attended one of Martin Luther King's marches. Under the church floorboard's is a hideaway area for the free slaves of the underground railroad. This is a huge deal, not only historically, but this effects the future as well. The Detroit-Windsor crossing was boarderless during the late 1800s. There is a major difference between the the past and present of crossing the Detroit river. Now security is a big concern. I have included images of my tour to the Sandwich First Baptist church. Here is a historical write-up on the churche's history:

"Sandwich First Baptist Church is the oldest active black church in Canada. A group of former slaves, led by Henry Brown, John Hubbs and Willis Jackson, began an informal church group in the 1820’s. In 1840 eleven fugitive slaves from the ‘Close Communion of Baptists’ organization formed the congregation. They worshipped outdoors or in the homes of individual members until a log cabin was constructed in 1847 under the direction of Rev. Madison Lightfoot. One acre of land was donated by the
Crown for a new brick church on Lot 22 West Peter Street. Fugitive slaves worked to construct the new church with hand hewn lumber and bricks. The clay for the bricks was obtained from the riverbank and fired in a hand-made kiln. In August of 1851 the church was dedicated with Robert H. Jackson as pastor.The church was a terminal on the Underground Railroad because it was situated near an ideal river crossing point. There is evidence that a series of tunnels and trapdoors helped facilitate safe arrival of fugitives. Individuals escaping slavery in America could make their way, with the assistance of members of the congregation, from their riverfront landing to travel by lantern light through secret tunnels and emerge in the
cellar of the church. Following the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act in America slave catchers would venture into Canada in attempts to capture fugitive slaves and claim their bounty. In the event that a slave catcher would arrive in the church a rehearsed plan would go into effect. It is said that the pastor would raise the alarm by singing predetermined hymns such as “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen” or “I’ll Fly Away to Glory”. Fugitives would then escape via a trap door in the church floor while the congregation created a diversion. In 1986 Rev. Owen Leslie Burey became the pastor of the church. He led a campaign to see the church recognized as a valuable historic site. In 1998 Sandwich First Baptist Church was designated as a National Heritage Site. On June 14, 2003 a plaque was dedicated at the site with of Members of Parliament Susan Whelan and Sheila Copps in attendance. Rev. Burey remained as pastor until his death October 2, 2003. The site is still an active church with a dedicated membership and visitors to Sandwich First Baptist can still view the trapdoor in the church floor."

source:www.windsor-communities.com/african-religion-sandwich.php

The New Medical Building

While attending the Elizabeth May talk last week I got to explore the new medical building with a fellow student.
At first I thought it would put the University Of Windsor on the map. This idea that this building could encourage these students to open their practice in this area, to have more doctors, and to get more people interested to coming to this great city let alone University of Windsor. When I got home I decided to look up more information on this building. I discovered that it cost 15 M to build and only 24 students attending. This building has so much potential why then does it have a different University controlling the admissions into this program? So I ask the question is this building an aid for the future or a failing attempt?

http://www.uwindsor.ca/units/medicalbuilding/construction.nsf/SubCategoryFlyOut/E308646ED78FBEFA85257372004B72BB

Day Labour Station

This is a piece by a group called Public Architecture (PA). PA is an architectural firm that promotes and practices pro bono architecture.

The Day Labor Station, a project of Public Architecture, is a structure that can be deployed at informal day labor locations.

The design is based on the realities of the ways in which the day labor system operates, and responds to the needs and desires of the day laborers themselves, as clients.

Public Architecture is currently working to locate a permanent site for the first Station. Ultimately, Day Labor Stations will be deployed across the country.

Check it out here:

http://www.daylaborstation.org/Gallery/Model/model1.htm

Detroit Windsor Tunnel Construction

Here is a 90 second video, its short but interesting, a brief explanation of how the tunnel was built

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/30012-assignment-discovery-the-detroit-windsor-tunnel-video.htm#

Detroit: City on the Move

An interesting documentary made in '65, 2 years before the riots. This has a lot of grest imagery of a better time, as well as a quick bit about the ease of crossing the friendly border into Windsor.

About 20min total running time

PART 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUbsw28PCpA&feature=related

PART 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evxDI7ce6Z0&feature=related

Enhanced Drivers Licence / Passport Cards

I guess the US is now producing a new passport card. The card cannot be used for travel to most countries, only Mexico, Canada and some Caribbean countries.


http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html

BC is now doing a test on a new "enhanced drivers license" which can be used instead of a passport to cross into the US. Hopefully we can get this card into full production for the rest of the country soon. The US already has these cards too.


http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/media/nr/2008/nr20080121-eng.aspx

Photo tours of Detroit

http://detroityes.com/0tourdetroit.htm#The_Fabulous_Ruins

some great photos here, thought id share

Tax Resistance and Resistance Tax

I came accross a blog regarding the issue of resistance and how it relates to geographical borders. According to Steve Pile, in the book 'Introduction to Geographies of Resistance,'

"Since resistance opposes power, it hardly seems worth mentioning that acts of resistance take place through specific geographies: in the spaces under the noses of the oppressor, on the streets, outside military bases, and so on"

Stories of smuggling rings out of Dearbourn are examples of how geograohy and borders play out in acts of resistance. Refusing to pay taxes is a very common form of resistance that many of us that choose to cross the border try and take advantage of.

Organized crime in Canada and the US purchase large amounts of products such as cigarette in the States where taxes do not exist (North Carolina, Kentucky, Indian reservations etc.) and sell them for profit.

Read more on this discussion on the blog: http://www.borderculture.org/blogger/2006/03/tax-resistance-and-resistance-tax.html

Lets focus on something nice in the D

i just wanted to show you something i've found in my searches, everyone focus on the decay of detroit and i thought it would be nice to show some of the nice areas.

Grandmont-Rosedale
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=153119

Indian Village
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=indian+village+detroit&sll=42.366503,-82.981281&sspn=0.009512,0.04549&ie=UTF8&ll=42.363871,-82.99716&spn=0.037734,0.090981&z=14&iwloc=addr

http://images.google.ca/images?hl=en&safe=active&q=indian%20village%20detroit&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

Lafayette Park - Designed by Mies van de Rohe

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lafayette_Park,_Detroit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OROh-5c92Ag

Windsor / Detroit Attractions

Im starting an ongoing list of great places that are unique to Windsor or Detroit. They can be resturants, bars, coffee shops, stores, parks, other public areas, etc etc.

I'll start... please contribute freely!

Fenton's Resturant - As big of a dive as they come, $3.50 breakfeast: really really good
3448 Walker Road, Windsor

Phog Lounge voted number 1 live music venue in Canada

I know this has nothing to do with "border culture" but it does have something to do with our class, sort of...
I've been interning at the Windsor Star for the past week so I've been oddly in touch (more than normal for me who manages to live in my own little "student" bubble) with whats going on in Windsor these days.
Anyways, I thought I should point out that Tom Lucier's Phog Lounge was voted #1 live music venue in Canada in a CBC Radio 3 contest today, beating out 100 other venues. I thought it was interesting because I was in the newsroom when one of the reporters read it on Twitter (a new phenomenon I still don't think I really get). Anyway, seeing as how he is giving us a talk tomorrow in class I thought it might be good if we all knew and maybe congratulated him. I promise I'll post something relevant asap. If you want to read the article here's the link http://www.windsorstar.com/Entertainment/Phog+voted+Canada/1328871/story.html (you might have to copy and paste)
GO WINDSOR!

Are Photographers Really a Threat?

Justin posted a link in the comments of the last post (here) about people no longer being allowed to photograph police.

It reminded me of a very interesting article I read a while back about photographers being harassed and having their film taken away/deleted by authorities since 9/11, especially if they're seen photographing things like bridges, etc. that could be construed as some kind of reconnaissance for 'terrorist attacks.'

We all know this kind of stuff happens. Many people around here have had issues simply taking pictures of the Ambassador Bridge. The great thing about this particular article is that they clearly point out that the fear authorities have is false: it is based on movie plots!

Please read the article here for a little more insight into the false idea people have of terrorists & photographers alike.

De Plane, de plane! Fantastic Fun at the Manitoba Border

Our neighbourly neighbours to the south have decided that the wild frontier of Manitoba is just not safe enough and have begun to use unmanned drone airplanes for surveillance along the Manitoba – Minnesota / North Dakota border.

This is a similar operation as along the U.S. – Mexico border and began last Monday.

Here is the Article: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2009/02/16/drones-border.html

Based at a military facility in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the $10-million Predator B drone aircraft are equipped with sensors capable of detecting a moving person from 10 kilometers away.

The aircraft is able to fly at an altitude of 6,000 meters and can remain in the air for 18 hours.
The planes will gather information as they fly along the 400-kilometre border and transmit it to operators who will in turn contact border agents. The drones will not carry weapons, such as missiles or laser-guided bombs, and the U.S. will need permission to send them into in Canadian airspace.

Manitoba has 12 official border crossings — only two are open 24 hours a day. Much of the land in between the crossings is swampland, lakes or farmers' fields.
U.S. authorities are concerned that the border has areas that could potentially be exploited by drug smugglers, migrants and terrorists.

"They will try to find the weakest link, and the weakest link is clearly the long border between the U.S. and Canada," North Dakota Democratic Sen. Byron Dorgan said. "It's very hard to patrol every square mile."

RCMP Staff Sgt. Ron Obodzinski said the surveillance planes will be a big help in the fight against the smuggling of drugs, alcohol and people.

"The program is going to enhance our relationship between our American partners and the Canadian agencies," he said.

U.S. border protection official Michael Kostelnik said that in these "dangerous times," it's more important than ever for both countries to know who and what is crossing the border.

"There are vast parts of the border where, on any given day, we're not sure what's going on, so part of this is to try to deal with the unknown and not be surprised," Kostelnik said.

Similar drones patrol the skies in Iraq and Afghanistan. The aircraft are also used along parts of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Is this what we need along the U.S. – Canada border?

While I can understand the need for surveillance and security, at what point does Canada step in and take responsibility? If this becomes a complete U.S. operation, then what say will the RCMP have in the management of the border? Currently, the drones do not fly in Canadian air space, though what would Canada do if the U.S. decides to test the limits? Is Canada in a position to take action if something like this should happen? Would the RCMP even care?

It is clear that there is a problem, but at what point will Canada become a functioning part of this relationship and not stand by and nod their head in approval? Would we want spy planes patrolling the Detroit/Windsor border? The launching of this program raises an incredible amount of questions.

Thoughts?

A great opportunity

correction: 2009 02 21 - due to extreme lack of grammatical editing before posting

I will start off with a short list of some Major US chain stores that are NOT in Detroit.

Walmart, Target, Kroger, Meijer, Safeway, Best Buy, JC Penny, Sears, Home Depot, etc etc

This is extremely unique of any major US city. Though big box stores have been generally taking over cities in the US and Canada and driving out the little guy, Detroit's entire lack of almost any major us shopping centre, weather it is a supermarket or department store is creating problems.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070705/METRO/707050349

As mentioned in the article above some Detroit residents state "You can't buy quality food in the city anymore." This is a HUGE problem for the people living in Detroit. To do almost any shopping, one needs to leave the city.

Through discussions with friends of mine, some of which live in Detroit and others who work and live in the suburbs, I started thinking about how this may be the start of a good thing.

I feel Detroit may be the only US city able to build itself up again with quality neighborhood supermarkets, hardware stores, clothing retailers, and all types of independent businesses. If a strategic plan was set out to encourage this, Detroit may be the only US city with a totally unique economic situation! This could be the beginning of an almost Utopian urban setting with job creation, and an amazing sense of community in the city.

Bogged Down at the Border

The National recently had a feature (link provided) which addresses border security issues along the Canada/U.S. border. With the Obama Presidency, Brian Stewart investigated the situation at hand, analyzing what this means for the relationship between us and our neighbour.

"There may be legitimate security concerns, but some fear the U.S. Congress will tighten border security as a form of economic protectionism, and slow imports from Canada."

http://www.cbc.ca/national/blog/special_feature/the_obama_visit/bogged_down_at_the_border.html

Windsor's Community Archives

The Border Culture class travelled to the Windsor Public Library's yesterday to view the Windsor Community Archives. Led by archivist Michael Fish, the class saw some of the first maps of the city and aisles of ceiling high shelves containing documents dating to as early as 1804. Pictured above, a photo of the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel dated July 4, 1953.

The Archives are open to the public and contain a staggering amount of documents and photographs (there's over 10,000 photos alone). You can view, copy, and photograph nearly everything with the help of the archivist and since the archive remains largely not-digitized, the archivist can guide you to find the materials you need.

After spending a brief time in the viewing room, we got to move to the back where many of the archives are stored. The entire facility felt like an archive of a functioning public archive, with posters celebrating the importance of the library and the archive from the mid-90s and earlier, the typewriter stationed at a desk in the back, and tables and shelves made of real wood.

Most of the archives were stored in acid-free boxes, but there were many that were lying on shelves, as pictured above, due to the lack of space in the basement. Perhaps most alarming was the actual space in which the archives were contained. Located beside the water main for the building and under a ventilation system (sans filter), the archives seem to be in a precarious position, to say the least.

A close-up of some of those un-boxed documents.

Many of these shelves contain documents that by law have to be in the public archive. City Council minutes dating back to the incorporation of the City of Windsor in 1854. According to the Wikipedia entry on Windsor, citing the Windsor Star, as previously noted by Devon, there was a naming controversy in 1892 for what was then the town of Windsor—among the candidates for the name of our city was South Detroit.

I'm not sure the last time I saw aged paper and a pink eraser.

The storage of what I imagine must be architectural drawings or maps in the Windsor Archives.

Tucked under some bristol board, maps peak out.

Lee asked about the possibility of going through entire boxes (you are allowed to do this).

Archivist Michael Fish, pictured right, points out the concession roads of Windsor to Steve Daigle, on one of the oldest maps of Windsor.

And for your information, pictured above are the hours to access the archive, though Michael did note that you can request materials via email. As well, there are other great (and even larger) archives in Detroit, though other than the University of Michigan, I can't remember where or the names of them. Could someone fill in those gaps in the comments?

It was really incredible to visit this basement in which essentially the entire history of Windsor sits, uninsured. But what do you do with all this material? Where on the city's funding priority list should all of this history sit?