Science Fiction can't be stranger than Customs
Sci-fi Author Peter Watts of Canada realised by first-hand experience that the American Customs can be stranger than the sci-fi stories written by him. Last week as he was on his way back to Toronto after helping a friend move to the U.S. Before he crossed the border into Sarnia, American customs officers pulled him over.
When they began rifling through his car, he got out to ask what was going on. They ordered him back into the car; he asked again. He says, he was assaulted, punched in the face, pepper-sprayed and thrown in jail for the night, only to find himself facing charges of assaulting a customs officer.
The writer who is a PhD in zoology says, “All I basically did was use words to ask what was going on."
Friends are raising funds to help Watts cover his legal costs, which are overwhelming for someone who makes a living as an author.
If convicted of the felony charge, Watts could be imprisoned for two years and face a fine of up to USD 2,000.
Don't you think Indian Customs officers are angels?