Posted on 11/05/2001 3:35:26 PM PST by dogbyte12
Sorry for the vanity folks. But something happened today to me that spooked me, and I don't spook that easily.
I was driving to work today going south bound in San Gabriel California on a major street when a van turned in front of me. Large custom white van with a huge bubble top on it.
As we are going, liquid suddenly drips from underneath the van. Hmmm, I thought, bad exhaust or something. It stops. Then about 30 seconds later, another 4 oz of so of liquid drips out. Again, it doesn't appear to be from the exhaust pipe, but I figure it must be.
Then it happened. Out of nowhere, from the right passenger window a large... I mean 3 by 3 foot cloud of either white smoke or white powder flies out the right window. It dissipates and is invisible in about 2 to 3 seconds. I know anthrax is brown, but it freaks me out that I see this substance in such quantities. This was no cigarette smoke, it was just an instantaneous dicharge of something in such volume that it was probably about the size I think. around 3 by 3 feet.
I then wanted to get a look at the driver. It was a "olive skinned" man approximately 25-35, with short wavy hair, who appeared pakistani, indian in appearance. The van took a quick turn, I headed to work, related the incident to co-workers, who convinced me to call the local police.
Talked to the desk officer who basically humored me. I had written down the liscence plate number told him what I saw and he basically told me that he didn't hear any other complaints yet about this van, and the white smoke or powder was probably an engine discharge or something.
My question is, should I take this further. This very likely can just be a weird congruence, and the local police might have investigated it, but I am wondering if I should call the feds to be sure. I have been hearing stories of them blowing off people with similar tips as well. Any imput would be appreciated.
If I were of ME descent, and a good American I would expect to be profiled.
If I were of ME descent and a bad American, then I would have a problem with being profiled.
I did not smell anything. I had my windows rolled up though. The fluid appeared to be coming from underneath dripping heavily for about 5-10 seconds then stopping completely, then starting again 30-45 seconds later. The white cloud seemed to eject from the passenger window, I can't be certain however that it wasn't the radiator, and the wind blew the smoke to the east side of the cab and made it appear to be coming from the passenger window. But, I guess, better safe than sorry.
I guarantee this however. If the feds do track this person down from the plate number I gave them, there is NO WAY the driver does not know about that cloud of smoke. It was massive. I wish folks here who are suggesting cigarette or cigar smoke could have seen it. I come from a family of smokers and there were sometimes 3 of them in a car. I do know the difference.
No need if he's been vaccinated.
A few years ago I happened to see a burglary in progress down the street from my house. Two guys drive an old car up the driveway of a house while owners are at work. Two guys jump out. One goes to front door while the other runs around to the back. I'm thinking.... Do I call the cops? Maybe it's ??? Maybe I'm being an alarmist. Maybe I need to get a hobby (before FR ;-)
Long story short: It was. I did. HUGE dragnet in my neighborhood. Cops told me my reluctance to call is common because everyone hates to face the fact that crap happens and they're afraid of embarrassing themselves and looking stupid.
CALL the Feds.
Already just sent an email to the LA field office, left my name and number and a full description.
A blown gasket would be pouring smoke out from underneath, and the van would probably stop a ways down the road because the engine would seize. I can't imagine how a van would pour smoke out the passenger window from a blown gasket. I'd call the FBI.
Last week I suffered through reporting a suspicious letter/package to my local PO. They were worthless in the way that they handled it. Everything turned out okay, but not because of the way the PO investigated.
And whatever happened to that disturbing website blackpox.com? Did the FBI pull it? It is not accessible now. Does anyone know what happened to that website?
Hmm...
Yes! You should slip into a state of paranoia and hole-up in your house peering through the curtains at every one who passes by and imagine portents of disaster upon every antifreeze drip or cigarette puff emanating from a vehicle. M'kay?
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Suite 1700, FOB
11000 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90024-3672
(310) 477-6565
Silly me - and I thought it was going to be THE MALLS over Halloween ...
Grow up, M'kay?
I have never reported anything in my 32 years of life. Ever. I do not hide behind curtains, fear my shadow, hide from the neighbors and wear tin foil on my head. I suppose that your solution is that I ignore it and live with it the rest of my life if this was serious and I did nothing.
People like yourself are filled with such hate, smug (undeserved) self superiority, so I can do nothing to yourself, that your own pathological self-loathing, that manifests itself as bitter sarcasm, has already done with your attitude as the main culprit. M'kay?
They ducked into a white van with blue curtains and sped off, and the Northern Alliance's military maneuvers went on without them.
But it can't hurt to have someone check it out.
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