Reporter doesn't like questioning

The sign above the highway leading into the nation's capital advised motorists to "Report Suspicious Activity" and gave an 800 number for the Office of Homeland Security. As a reporter, I figured this was right up my alley and set out yesterday to report on things that struck me as suspicious.

For instance, near the Jefferson Memorial, I saw a five-foot-tall metal box that was hooked up to an electrical outlet and equipped with a high-tech antenna and chrome-dome receptor. What was it?

I asked a couple of National Park Service workers and some Cherry Blossom Festival organizers whose tent was set up next to the thing if they knew. Little did I know that my inquiry would become a suspicious activity in itself.

"We hear you've been asking curious questions," U.S. Park Police officer Michael Ramirez said as he and fellow officer Karl Spilde approached me from behind a blossomless cherry tree. "Why are you doing that?"

Both officers carried 9mm semiautomatic pistols, Mace and batons. Perhaps because I had just left the Jefferson Memorial, where I'd read a few lines about "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" and "all men are created equal," I felt bold enough to pose a question of my own: "Why are you asking me that?"

I'm pro-civil liberties, so I must be a DemoRat...give me a break!

lol. I gave you four reasons why I felt your actions were similar to those of a democrat (or liberal) in none of them did I mention your views on civil liberties. You obviuosly did not read what I said, but instead you drew your own conclusion, one not based on the facts presented.

Let's add that to the list and make it a fifth similarity.

You appear to be a well educated person, which brings to mind something my Grandfather use to say. He was not an educated man, but instead was a man of clear thinking, highly intelligent, a man of manners and one repected by all who knew him. In other words, a man with whom you have nothing in common.

He use to say this:

Intelligence allows a man to get along without education and education allows a man to get along without intelligence.

I too thank you for your reasonable post. It sure makes this place nicer to discuss things.

They only frisked him when he refused cooperation. Maybe his 'right' but not too smart.

I wasn't arguing that this was a 'smart' thing to do, just that he had the right to question why he was being interrogated. Personally, I'd take a bit more conversational tone in such a circumstance, though I'd probably be a little more assertive of my rights than many might consider to be 'smart'. The first question you'd normally be asked is to identify yourself. I'm generally perfectly happy with telling an officer who I am, but would follow it up with a question as to why he wants to know. If I answer a question to assist him, he should be just as willing to answer a question for me. Specifically, it is my right as a citizen to know why I'm being detained. If I think what is being requested is reasonable, I'm willing to be reasonable in return.

In general though, cops don't have the right to search someone just because they aren't willing to be interrogated. The fact that this can make things more difficult for police is just one of those things they must suffer if we are to live in a free republic. It would make the job of the police easier if they had transponders implanted in everyone, that would allow them to locate and surveil anyone they want any time they have the itch, but such a society would not be a free one.

I recall recently a similar incident. A mideastern man and a woman were taking pics of a TVA dam at 4 or 5:00 on a Sunday morning. That was not in and of itself illegal, but it was suspicious. The cop took his name and reported it to the FBI. The man was wanted for questioning by the FBI and later arrested for false passport or ID. According to your statements, the cop was out of line. In my mind he played a hunch and was correct, which is good police work.

Pretty much. A lot of the time when they play a 'hunch', they are exceeding what is their legitimate authority. Police often get similar results when they run those roadblocks for 'drunk drivers'. Personally, I find it insulting to have the police be able to conduct those kind of fishing expeditions. The problem is, that the supreme court has pretty much eliminated constitutional rights for those in automobiles. This is a mistake on their part in my not so humble opinion as it generates a heck of a lot of ill will towards legitimate excercises of 'authority'.

The 'you people' phrase was probably a bit over the line as regards civil discourse, but I get frustrated sometimes when people don't see that it is in their best interests to always assert their rights when they see fit. I'm not saying that noone should ever voluntarily assist police, just that they should jealously guard the rights they still have left. That is especially true now, probably more so than in a long time in this country.

I'll not comment at this time on the story you relate, other than to agree that many times, what people see is based largely on their expectations.

If the police come up and start frisking him without telling him anything, that would be illegal and highly suspect. However, the police are trained to follow Standard Operating Procedures. One of those is to ask for ID. NO MATTER WHAT THE STOP IS. If you are broke down on a bridge with your blinkers on, a cop will stop and ask if everything is alright. But you can bet your bottom dollar that the police officer will ask you for you ID before he or she leaves. It is SOP. Just like those punks on the Florida toll road last year. The police stopped them and instead of cooperating, they stonewalled. Fine. You want to play, we can play. Stay here until we get a court order to search your car. It will take several hours. You want to not show me ID? Fine, we can play that game too. Just tell the cop, hey, I'm a reporter for the ComPost, I see signs to report things which are suspicious. This looks suspicious and I was wondering what it is and who should I call. Cop - after checking out ID - says, Mr. Miloy, it is a such-and-such device. It checks the air-quality in case we are attacked. Also, cops don't do one-on-one. Think of it as a small version of what we do in war time. Massive firepower to intimidate.

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