What message was the U.S. government trying to send when it detained me at the border?

At the end of November, I was detained at the American-Canadian border, and I find myself struggling with feelings of resentment, anger and shame. I had traveled from Los Angeles to Edmonton, Canada, where I delivered an academic lecture at the University of Alberta. Getting off a plane and gaining entry into Alberta, I was treated with respect and dignity, and was sent on my way with a lilting, "Welcome to Canada, professor." Returning home to the United States was a different experience. To set the scene, I should mention that I was traveling with my wife and 11-year old son.