Stayed away many many years until I had to return to provide care for my sister who is confined to a wheelchair. One fine day as I was taking her to a physical therapy appointment I was bluelighted by a Hudson cop for no reason (wasn't speeding and was obeying every law I knew of.)
As usual (daddy taught me not to argue with anyone wearing a gun) I pulled over and waited passively for the cop to tell me what to do.
When he came to the window of the car I asked him politely why he had stopped me. At this point I must explain that I wear a full beard and shoulder length hair. His response was that I appeared to be a suspicious person operating an upscale GMC SUV.
I responded that I felt that that was insufficient probable cause for a traffic stop and left it at that.
On request I produced a valid New Mexico driver's license as well as registration for the vehicle I was driving. The dummy said "this is an out of state license are you visiting?"
My sister who at this point was quite upset answered for me explaining the situtation.
The cop just said thet since it was an out of state licence he would "like to see" a second form of picture ID I showed him my retired Army ID card which lists as a retired First Sergeant. At this point the cop turned beet red and handed all back with a sheepish "thank you for the cooperation."
Later that evening my Brother In Law and I visited the Hudson Chief Chief of Police and I made a formal complaint.
I guess I was a tad pissed about being profiled (yes it does happen to white middle aged men) Though an apology was forthcoming from the cop (in person and at my sister's home) I was still angry and remain so.
This was not the state I grew up in I had been used to such treatment from Registry of Motor Vehicles cops but not from townies.
Needless to say I will not be returning to MA soon unless my sister again needs my help.And this was the state that gave birth to many of the founders and to the Minute Men.
No thanks I'll stay here in New Mexico where I can open carry and keep my shotgun and rifle in the rack of my pickup.
After 25 years of being "free," I don't miss it in the least. The history of Boston and the beauty of the Cape I sometimes long for, but I'm told neither is what they used to be.
I may go back for my 30th reunion in 2003, and it will be the first I have attended. If I do go, it will only be to mock the ones that stayed behind. And, I'm sure there are plenty of them.
Enjoy your freedom!