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"So far you still haven't taken a crack at answering my questions in post #44."

I'll take a stab at your questions:

"If he was really concerned about suspicious objects in the park wouldn't he have immediately identified himself and layed out his suspicions to the first authority figure to come along? Wouldn't he have been actively seeking one out?"

The article didn't say that he was concerned about the objects in the park, merely that he was curious about them. He did ask a couple of National Park Service employees, and some Cherry Blossom Festival organizers what the object was, and apparently did not get an answer. I note that the cops did not volunteer to tell him what it was. Why not? Why were they being beligerent and evasive with a citizen?

"Instead he was evasive and antagonistic. What is a cop supposed to think when that is coupled with a report that he was photographing equipment and taking notes?"

I think that a cop is supposed to think, "Here is a citizen, whom I have sworn to protect and serve, and he is asking me a reasonable question about why I want to see his I.D., and so I should answer his question." Instead of assuming the worst, why didn't the cop just observe what was going on instead of trying to bully the guy by calling for backup, which is really just thinly disguised intimidation? Why did the cop become evasive and belligerent when asked a question?

I know that these responses probably won't satisfy you, because you feel differently about this situtation than I do. That's your right.

You're right, I do feel differently about this story. Thank you for answering though.

I note that the cops did not volunteer to tell him what it was. Why not?

Because he didn't ask them. Their first question to him was the perfect opening to ask it. "We hear you've been asking curious questions, ... Why are you doing that?" But his response was "Why are you asking me that?".