THE VAGARIES OF U.S. JUSTICE

It was with a sense of sadness that I read about snowboarder Ross
Rebagliati being barred from the U.S. I, too, have had to endure the same
process after admitting to using marijuana some seven years ago.

For the past four years, I have had to obtain permits each year. Each time,
I am made to feel like a dirty, evil criminal when I have to get
fingerprinted at Point Roberts.

To make things worse, I retained the services of an immigration lawyer in
an attempt to clear my record. My lawyer tried to obtain my file through
the Freedom of Information Act and was rejected by the INS because it
contained information which would "interfere with enforcement procedures
... and invasion of privacy."

I have never been convicted of any crime, but it would seem the Americans,
in all their infinite wisdom, would like to continue to label me as an
"offender" and deny me even a fair chance of clearing my name.

So to Mr. Rebagliati: I will see you at Point Roberts.

George Pick

Vancouver