Border Guards Prevent Amish Man's Return to U.S.

An Amish man, returning to the US after visiting his sick father, has been denied access to the US due to changes in border security rules and procedures that were designed to keep terrorists out of the US. Some sects of the Amish believe that photos are "graven images" and are prohibited from having their photos taken. Needless to say, this makes it very difficult for them to carry around a photo id.

The Border Patrol used to waive the photo requirement for the Amish, but, with the absorption of the INS into the Department of Homeland Security, that "border policy was altered."

To be frank, this is ridiculous. An "Amish Terrorist" is as likely as an "Amish Science Fiction Author." One must wonder if they load their buggy up with explosives and steer their horses into buildings? One would think that a short investigation would determine if a person is truly Amish or and Islamic terrorist dressed up like an Amish trying to get past border patrol. Of course, if you were an Islamic terrorist, which of these things do you think would be easier:

• Grow an Amish looking beard, purchase some Amish garments, buy a horse and carriage and learn to drive it. Practice the accent and the nuances of the language.

OR

• Buy a counterfeit driver's license that any teen in America can get

Only a politician or a bureaucrat could think that revoking the waiver of the photo id requirement for a small sect of religious people whose beliefs do not allow them to meet to the requirement makes this country safer.

To the Dept. of Homeland Security: Wake up you bunch of jerks and do the right thing. Let this man be reunited with his family. Get a life!