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Caution DC Tourists - Wear Padding and Leave Your Good ... - 4/12/2005 8:50:15 PM

kyakitten

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http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1260&storyid=2956890

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002238700_capitol12.html

Sample Content:
"A man (R), who was standing suspiciously in front of the west side of the U.S. Capitol Building with two black suitcases by his side, is escorted by a plain clothes policeman after he was tackled to the ground by police in Washington......"

"They later blew apart one of his bags......police determined that the bag contained nothing more than a CD player, batteries and a "watch or something."

< Message edited by kyakitten -- 10/5/2005 8:33:33 PM >

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RE: Caution DC Tourists - Wear Padding and Leave Your G... - 4/13/2005 1:53:40 PM

FelinePersuasion

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He brought it on himself being defiant. If he would simply of said nothing it's just a clock a watch and personal items, and didn't come across as confrontational it could have gone VERY diffrently

(in reply to kyakitten)

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RE: Caution DC Tourists - Wear Padding and Leave Your G... - 4/14/2005 9:45:00 PM

Shymissa

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quote:

ORIGINAL: kyakitten

As a tourist who's been known to roll black suitcases through the US Capitol and ask stupid questions about the location of the White House, I find the following story superficially hilarious - and at its core, excessive and loathsome. What the heck does "standing suspiciously" mean? And why are there so many big news stories about the tackle and so few about its utter futility?

http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1260&storyid=2956890

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002238700_capitol12.html

Sample Content:
"A man (R), who was standing suspiciously in front of the west side of the U.S. Capitol Building with two black suitcases by his side, is escorted by a plain clothes policeman after he was tackled to the ground by police in Washington......"

"They later blew apart one of his bags......police determined that the bag contained nothing more than a CD player, batteries and a "watch or something."

The issue was not with him "standing suspiciously" but was with the secuirty threat he seemed to pose after refusing to leave the premisis, he did not respond to law enforcement officials and that is why he was taken down phyiscially. This is no different than you being arrested after a high speed chase where you were trying to avoid a speeding ticket. You are not being arrested for speeding.

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RE: Caution DC Tourists - Wear Padding and Leave Your G... - 4/15/2005 7:44:28 AM

Atavist

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I live just outside of DC. When I saw the clip on the news I shook my head and thought this was just more police/govt paranoia/over-reaction. Then I read a bit more about it and have to agree with some of the other posters. The guy did not respond to the police and was behaving strangely. Anyone with a clue (especially in DC) has to understand that when an officer asks you a question, you answer. They aren't f*cking around here.

If you drive past the Pentagon you can see anti-aircraft batteries scattered about. When you fly out of Reagan National (the airport just across the river from DC) you aren't permitted to stand up for the first 30 minutes of the flight. If you do, your in deep sh*t. DC is considered a prime target and all of this was heightened a few years ago by the snipers who killed several people. So, given all of this (and more), its not surprising that the cops took this guy down.

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RE: Caution DC Tourists - Wear Padding and Leave Your G... - 4/15/2005 4:09:17 PM

kyakitten

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All good points and I don't disagree that caution is warranted in general. I just have doubts about whether the story we're getting about this guy's behavior is the full picture. His not following orders could have happened because he didn't speak English well enough (yes, he's a citizen of Australia, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything, and his name appears to be Asian.) The most damning other information we got from the media is that he was wearing black and his suitcases were black. Well, obviously then his intentions were evil! (Memo to real terrorists: consider stylish plaids.)

Depending on what media you read, he either asked or "demanded" to see the President. Many, many tourists ask to see the President. Those who don't speak English well may even be trying to ask how to view the White House. The Capitol Building is beautiful. Is it out of the question that a tourist from another country - let's speculate, an architect or artist, perhaps - might stand and stare at it? In fact, it happens all the time.

Then there's the location/logic disconnect. Wouldn't any terrorist who took the time to build a bomb to blow up the President at least bother to find out what building he's in before dragging his bomb-filled bags to the wrong place?

I'm suspicious because we're talking about a police state that banned TWEEZERS on airplanes for the better part of a year or longer (all while ignoring much greater risks). Talk about misreacting! We're talking about an administration with a proven record of excessive force and disrespect for individual rights. We're talking about a media much of which has been blithely and even deliberately publishing patent misinformation provided by this administration. Whether this guy proves to be a terrorist or harmless stooge, every time an individual's rights are trampled on we need to question the heck out of it. And for me in this case, the burden of evidence had not been satisfied. Even though he was wearing black.

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RE: Caution DC Tourists - Wear Padding and Leave Your G... - 4/16/2005 1:50:38 PM

Atavist

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I agree with everything you say. Which is why at first glance the reaction by the police seemed inappropriate. After reading a few more stories about Mr. Zhao, he apparently had a similar incident three days earlier at the White House -
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,12848971%255E401,00.html

At a minimum, Mr. Zhao's behavior seems bizarre and although I agree that the current administration is a real and present danger to American civil liberties (and an embarrassment worldwide), it looks to me like the security folks acted within reason.

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RE: Caution DC Tourists - Wear Padding and Leave Your G... - 4/17/2005 8:40:48 AM

kyakitten

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Atavist -

Thanks for the added info, I hadn't seen that.

Take care of yourself down there in DC and watch where you wear your black!

< Message edited by kyakitten -- 10/5/2005 8:34:01 PM >

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RE: Caution DC Tourists - Wear Padding and Leave Your G... - 4/20/2005 10:39:45 AM

knees2you

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I live in Las Vegas
and work at the Bellagio Hotel http://www.bellagio.com

I must say for all the money Las Vegas has it is
Ironic that we have not been hit by Terroists!

Well Actually the City itself being Hit!

Our Security at the Hotel is suppose to be so Stricked
that know one is allowed on the Premises without a Bellagio
I-D card.

Now You could show another kind of I-D card and they would let You in,
Which to me is Pretty Scary!!

Where not like Washington that is for sure~

Sincerely, ant

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RE: Caution DC Tourists - Wear Padding and Leave Your G... - 4/20/2005 12:11:24 PM

EmeraldSlave2

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quote:

minimum, Mr. Zhao's behavior seems bizarre and although I agree that the current administration is a real and present danger to American civil liberties (and an embarrassment worldwide), it looks to me like the security folks acted within

DC native, MD resident here...

Yes, I agree that our personal rights have been badly attacked and privacy rights are paper thin and police arrogance is a real issue to deal with.

In this particular instance though I have to say I think things were handled appropriately.

(in reply to knees2you)

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