Kitchener woman charged with slapping officer at U.S. border

A Kitchener woman has been arrested at the Rainbow Bridge crossing at Niagara Falls after allegedly slapping a U.S. customs official. 

NIAGARA FALLS, Ont.—A Kitchener woman is in hot water after allegedly slapping a U.S. border officer during an ill-fated trip to Niagara Falls.
American officials said 40-year-old Tianna Natasha McPherson was arrested Sept. 2 at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing, where she had been dropped off by cab with the intention of visiting Niagara Falls State Park in New York.
A U.S. Attorney’s report states that due to “derogatory information” about McPherson’s past behaviour while crossing the border, she was taken aside for secondary inspection, denied admittance into the U.S. and told she would be returned to Canada.
At this point, officials say she became verbally combative and unco-operative. They said she insisted she was an American citizen and tried to leave. When a Customs and Border Protection officer blocked the exit and told her to sit down, the report says McPherson challenged the officer and “open-hand slapped the officer on the left side of her face.”
McPherson was arrested and charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer of the United States, and is being held in custody. The charge carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Her next detention hearing is set for Thursday.
That is a pretty steep penalty and fine for a wee slap. She didn't poke the guard's eye out or try to throttle her. Who is  this guard anyway?
I thought it was rather amusing, at first, but there is a more serious, underlying side to this incident, that reflects the times we live in.
 I think that because McPherson  was a previous trouble maker, they detained her and rather rudely sent her packing.  After that indignity, I might feel like slapping someone too.
 It seems everyone at border crossings, these days, guards and travellers alike, are tense, and defensive. I have crossed the border at the Rainbow Bridge a hundred times , conservatively, and the process used to be quick, very polite and relaxed. We often chatted and joked with the border guards. The guards on both sides treated Americans and Canadians alike and equally, like friends and neighbors. It changed a little after 9/11.   Neither country could believe what had happened and were saddened and confused by it. The border guards looked at us a bit more suspiciously and asked more questions. But these days they seem deadly serious, they can be rude, rougher, conduct body cavity searches and we are all looked upon as potential terrorists or criminals. The border guards perhaps reflect the attitudes of the present administration. Friends and allies are now suspicious strangers. I sincerely hope that after the next election we can return to friendlier times.