Posted on 01/09/2004 3:37:55 PM PST by The Magical Mischief Tour
Question about flight simulator brings visit from police By VIRGINIA RAY Recorder Staff
COLRAIN - An innocent inquiry to a Staples store clerk about a computer software program that teaches how to fly an airplane by instrumentation brought a surprise visit this holiday season to a local family from the state police.
"At first, I felt a little angry and violated" about someone telling authorities about her inquiry, said Julie Olearcek, a 15-year Air Force Reserve pilot. "But now that time has gone by, I realize it may take someone like that, who's a little nervous, who may save the day." Olearcek's husband, Henry, is also a flier, currently on active duty, and frequently away from home these days.
About a week before Christmas, Olearcek said the couple's 10-year-old son, who has flight simulation software and is keenly interested in learning to fly like his parents, commented that he'd have to wait until his dad retired to learn to fly by instruments. She went to Staples soon after and took her son to the office supply store, where he looked through the available software.
"He was disappointed because there was military stuff, but it was all fighting stuff, so I asked the clerk, and he was alarmed by us asking how to fly airplanes and said that was against the law," Olearcek said. "I said I couldn't imagine that, but, because (the clerk) was a little on edge ... I left." But "what saves us, is people are paying attention," she said.
Olearcek said she and her husband both were well aware that the Office of Homeland Security had raised the threat level during the holiday and of the generally increased terrorism alert following the Sept. 11 plane attacks.
"And rightly so, this puts people on edge," she said.
But she was taken aback by what happened next.
"By 8 p.m., a state trooper was at my house," she said. "At first, it was a little unnerving because it was pouring rain and my husband had just left ... My son said he heard someone walking around outside and it startled him. We had put our Christmas tree in front of a sliding glass door and the trooper ended up tapping on the glass of that door and putting a flashlight in and it scared us."
But Olearcek said she doesn't believe the trooper was intentionally trying to frighten her family. Nor does she blame the clerk for erring on the side of caution.
"We all have to be aware," she said, not really even wanting to speak of the incident on the record, but wanting to keep the record straight. "It's not just the people in uniform who have to be looking after this country. So when people see something out the ordinary, they pay attention. Maybe by the way we worded the question - who knows? - it triggered the individual. Still, if they had done their homework (at Staples) they would see I home school my children and am a frequent customer and have a teacher's ID on file."
Olearcek said the trooper asked her if she had inquired about the software, and she said she had and showed him her military identification.
"He was totally understanding, but protocol means he has to follow through," Olearcek said. "I immediately gave him my military ID and I had no problem giving it to him. At first I felt like, 'Wait a minute, this is America.' But we also have to understand it takes everybody to pay attention. At first I was a little frazzled with someone knocking on my window at 8:30 at night, but the bottom line is this is a civilian who has tried to do his best."
Sgt. Donald Charpentier of the Shelburne Falls State Police barracks said police received a telephone call from the Staples manager "that a person had been looking for instructional videos regarding flying planes."
"Those programs are quite common for entertainment and training, but he felt it was suspicious enough to warrant a call," Charpentier said. "We responded, and it turned out to be innocent enough; a person looking to buy a Christmas gift."
Staples' spokesperson Sharyn Frankel said the employees were doing what they have been told to do.
"After 9/11, our store associates were instructed that if they see something suspicious or out of the ordinary, they're to contact their managers and local authorities," Frankel said. "It's all about keeping our associates and customers safe and this was out of the ordinary and kind of raised a red flag and they did what they thought was right."
"Bottom line is we've all got to look out for each other, and I wasn't harmed," summed up Olearcek. "And what if it were the other way around? It's going to take everyone in each town to look after one another."
I now see what your problem is. You don't read with precision. GIGO. Sorry.
I am happy to be able to NOT fly commercial, these days!
Now who's paranoid, Rambo?
America's Fifth Column ... watch PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
http://12thman.us/media/jihad.rm (Requires RealPlayer)
OK, last question(s): Why is that suspicious? Why should that warrant a visit from the police, no matter what the mom and kid looked like? (Olearcek doesn't sound much like an Arabic name -- more Czech, don't you think?) If anyone wants to purchase those kinds of videos, all they have to do is visit Sporty's Pilot Shop.
I'm still wondering how the clerk explains to himself that his store stocks products that are illegal to sell.
I usually pride myself on waiting until the full story comes out from multiple sources.
Perhaps I am being premature.
Reality check: 1) the "government" didn't stick its nose anywhere, it was summoned by a citizen; 2) no "game" was at issue, both the mom and the cop said the request was for something that would teach one how to actually fly a plane.
America's Fifth Column ... watch PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
http://12thman.us/media/jihad.rm (Requires RealPlayer)
Suppose both were dark, Middle Eastern-looking, speaking with accented speech; the mom wore a hijab and the kid wore one of those felt roach motels so popular among men in Afghanistan? Any interest now?
(Olearcek doesn't sound much like an Arabic name -- more Czech, don't you think?)
Or Chechnyan, Bosnian or Kosovar mebbe?
If anyone wants to purchase those kinds of videos, all they have to do is visit...
I wouldn't want to overestimate the IQ of a terrorist. Remember, the reason we apprehended some of the thugs who bombed the WTC in 1993 is because one dimbulb tried to get the deposit back on what was previously his rented van.
Is it possible that a terrorist might try to learn something about flying planes by going to a Staples store? Stranger things have -- and will -- happen.
America's Fifth Column ... watch PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
http://12thman.us/media/jihad.rm (Requires RealPlayer)
I understand. It could be that when all the facts are known -- if ever they are -- this was nothing but a well-intentioned overreaction. If so, it doesn't bother me.
But, based on the information at hand, I don't think anyone erred in what they did -- and the mom's attitude is most commendable.
America's Fifth Column ... watch PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
http://12thman.us/media/jihad.rm (Requires RealPlayer)
I am happy to be able to NOT fly commercial, these days! _page
Now who's paranoid, Rambo? -jcg
Not paranoid, just value my time... I don't think you read MY posts... lol! I don't have to fly commercial. I don't pretend to be a rambo, just a guy, in control of his life, that chooses not to look under every leaf, for a boogeyman!
I think the threat is overblown, personally. I do not discount it, I just recognize the futility, and immense costs, involved. I weigh them, and in the balance, do not believe that all of the 'precautions' are warranted.
WE have a sieve for a border, yet expect to keep terrorism from affecting us... Thank heaven we have Ridge/Bush as our saviours! Oh, yeah, GW wants to make the illegals legal! Does that makes sense to you?
What precautions do you consider worthwhile? Please explain, and try to change my mind! My frother is Asst Manager, at DIA, and knows what is going on. I just get info about the worth, of these precautions, from him... and charter, or rent, when I need to fly! I don't need to stand in line, to take chances on getting there
You post these sites, of horrific videos, and rant that they are coming to get us, but for all of the actions of our g'umt. ! I say, B**lS**t. The G'umt will do nothing but take your money and try to lull you into believing they are your friends. If you think otherwise, you have your head where the sun don't shine! They do not have YOUR best interests in mind. They only want to spend your money, to enrich their friends. If I sound cynical, it is because I am!!!
I'm not saying any sort of a thing. But, until something better comes along, I appreciate our police and military -- all "g'umt." BTW, have you viewed the video yet? Guarantee it'll be worth your time. (Steve Emerson was a decade ahead of everybody else on the terrorism issue.)
I say, B**lS**t. The G'umt will do nothing but take your money and try to lull you into believing they are your friends. If you think otherwise, you have your head where the sun don't shine! They do not have YOUR best interests in mind. They only want to spend your money, to enrich their friends. If I sound cynical, it is because I am!!!
Ok, you distrust (hate?) the government. So do I. As Washington said, government is, like fire, "a troublesome servant and a fearful master."
Cheers.
America's Fifth Column ... watch PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
http://12thman.us/media/jihad.rm (Requires RealPlayer)
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