I regularly crossed the border. (Regular as in once every couple of weeks) for a number of years). At first there was no issue, but then .... worse and worse.

Border guards are not the most intelligent creatures on this planet (I'm well employed, with professional designations that get me through any border) and US border guards in particular seem to love the power of it ..... and they have a LOT of power. You don't have constitutional rights at the border.

Hassle level just kept increasing, and I didn't have to experience more to believe the stories. Why take the risk? Really? We've seen stories of illegal rendition of Canadians to 3rd world countries, torture, detention, quasi-illegal wiretapping. We've been astounded to see our neighbour throw out the rule of law, and export some of that culture of paranoia to Canada.

I just stopped doing business there. Simpler and safer.

Yeap - I stopped about 6 years ago - same reason.

Overly officious US border agents, the "Guantanamo halo effect" (ie. there is no rule of law)and the general unfriendliness at the border have caused me to cease visiting the US. I can say that I am far from the only Canadian I know that now refuses to cross the border.

I don't buy there, travel there, spend there, or .... even do business there.

I'm hoping that with the Obama administration I (and others) will become a little more comfortable and eventually travel through/to the US, but I'm far from the only Canadian that feels this way. Pity .... the US in general are great neighbors and great people.

I wish someone would sue Sony and get them to update their firmware to allow for closed captioning of DVDs played on their PS3. That's right, the system that "just does everything" doesn't do closed captioning. Many/most tv shows are recorded with closed captioning on the Dvd/BlueRay and without subtitles (which do play). This would be a far better reason to go after Sony, and probably yield a tangible result.

Empire Deluxe ... Only speaking as a satisfied customer.... who also loved the original Empire. Found at http://www.killerbeesoftware.com/

I've been a long time Firefox user, played with Chrome, but when I got my EEE 1000HE I decided to try Opera as I'd heard it was fairly fast and I didn't want to slow down that little processor.

Opera is great! Not only did it not slow down, but I got voice command (which I had back with OS/2 Warp too:) which is great given the smaller keyboard. Its fast, works well, and I appreciate the built in bit torrent client (I don't need more software to clutter up a Windows box).

Opera - I'm impressed!

... (version we weren't intended to play, I mean) .. with the hot coffee add-in for GTA?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Coffee_minigame_controversy

My understanding of a Mandamus Order (having been through one) was that it "compelled" action.

How the hell does a court provide an "advisory mandamus" order? Isn't that an oxymoron? An advisory can't compel action?

Sorry ... I know you are on the other side of the argument, but "perhaps" you can explain what an advisory is as I don't know that we have that concept in Canada?

What as stupid article!!

The US government, although the largest shareholder is not the ONLY shareholder. Minority shareholders have rights and a successful lawsuit benefits them too.

I wish people would give their heads a shake!

Ouch!! I tend to think of Australia as a forward and progressive country like Canada. My original post has certainly opened my eyes to Australia's shocking drive to the bottom. Too bad ... really .... I hope some Australian press read and comment on this someday.

"Couldn't they just bring you before the Canadian Human Rights Commission? No jury there."

There is no jury there because it isn't a criminal charge, and sure, and just like any Federal tribunal I'd make application for judicial review under Section 18 of the Federal Courts Act. Charter rights clearly take precedence to a tribunal.

But you of course knew that, didn't you?

Nice that you pick up "one" item and forget all the other areas that the Canadian Conservative Party has fallen on their collective asses.

The Harper Conservatives haven't been quite as bad for Canada as Bush Republicans have been for the US ... but that is only because they've had less time to screw it up.

Maybe try implementing a "Charter of Rights and Freedoms" like we have in Canada? http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/charter/ I think Canada as a similar Commonwealth country might be a good precedent, and this would certainly stop the politicians from abdicating basic freedoms ... which this seems to entail? I mean, what politician is going to say "no, we want lessor rights than Canadians", or "no, we don't want Australians to have basic freedoms"? Just a thought that this precedent might help.

Doesn't Australia have a constitutional document guaranteeing freedom of speech?

If this were happening in Canada, I'd start publishing every link I could on every website I could, and ask (no, beg) for trial date, and with a jury.

I think we have some daft politicians in the Conservative Party here, but looking at Australia ... maybe we aren't as bad off as I though? Yet .....