See what others have said

Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.

Comments

1. #1
   On July 17th, 2004 at 6:07 pm, Francis W. Porretto said:

   At times such as these, with the whole Republic in crisis and freedom itself gasping out its last breaths, it’s imperative that we ask…is that your black helicopter double parked over there?

2. #2
   On July 17th, 2004 at 7:16 pm, Martin aka Blogbat said:

   Nice comment, Francis. These photographers are obviously another case of liberal sheep who can’t think (e.g. haven’t considered their rights under any regime that destroys the US government, especially Islamofascist ones). Of course maybe then they would agree with such bans. Not likely though, most of these people are what I call “2nd Tier Liberals”, i.e. the sheeple, the followers, the “feelers”. The ones to really worry about are the ones who manipulate them and take them over like so many infected computers in a DDOS attack. I refer of course to the “1st Tier Liberals”; the leaders, the planners, the instigators, the power wonks- the Lennon’s of our time. These people enjoy the chess match and like to think they know how to play it. The 1st Tier guys relish in the fact the 2nd Tier dutifully play a bene placito, and long to compel the rest of us to as well. Who knows, maybe their own twisted internal culture explains why Liberal elites think we all are a bunch of dumb imbeciles who can’t tie our shoes. :p

3. #3
   On July 17th, 2004 at 7:29 pm, mb said:

   Michelle, how are the Ballard Locks sensitive areas for photography? You lived in Seattle and should know they’re a major tourist attraction, and that photographs are encouraged. (Note that the photographer didn’t complain the first time when he was investigated politely, only after he was harrased and told statements which contradict public policy.)

4. #4
   On July 17th, 2004 at 8:45 pm, Brian said:

   Precisely, mb; the Ballard Locks are a major tourist attraction. Michelle, I’d hate to question your journalistic ethics (actually, I’d love to), but you really should research things a little bit more in depth before you post misleading, inflammatory remarks. Read his full account. To support the idea that there are absolutely no cases of authorities abusing their new rights is ignorant at best.

5. #5
   On July 17th, 2004 at 8:56 pm, Remy Logan said:

   RE: What are these people using for brains, their lenses?

   No, their brains are composed of overexposed film.

6. #6
   On July 17th, 2004 at 10:19 pm, retired military said:

   I used to work security for a riverboat casino. We had to card everyone under 30. I wish I had a dollar for everyone who when told why they were being carded would say “I’m 31 (or 32 or 33).

   Or the times that a family would approach and I would ask their 20 something son for ID and the father (whom I had never seen before in my life) would say “It’s okay he’s my son”

7. #7
   On July 18th, 2004 at 2:00 am, See-Dubya said:

   Here’s another one for you: google Steven Kurtz. He’s a professor in Buffalo who’s a member of a transgressive art troupe, and he uses biological materials in his art. Like bacteria and such. When his wife died suddenly his house was searched and he was arrested for bioterrorism.

   The feds concluded he wasn’t a bioterrorist and had nothing to do with his wife’s death. But he did get charged with wire fraud in obtaining a jug of e.coli. The usual suspects are screaming censorship. They want it both ways–to be transgressive, and edgy, but not to actually run any risks.

   I’ve gotten a lot of e-mails from lefty friends about this case, and while I’ll grant he’s not a terrorist, they’re pretty blinking naive to think his circumstances didn’t warrant an investigation under the current climate.

8. #8
   On July 18th, 2004 at 2:00 pm, Darleen said:

   Brian, mb

   You both are missing several glaring points in the Ballard locks thing.

   1)So what if it was a “major” tourist attraction? Does that make it less or more of a terrorist target?

   2)This is post 9/11 and when a call comes in about suspicious activity, security must respond.

   3)Ian Spiers’ mother raised an idiot. When a cop asks for your id you don’t stand there arguing with him and telling him he has no right under the Constitution to ask to see it. For better or worse (latter in this case for Ian) Spiers upped the ante in trying to outpiss a law enforcement officer. Have problems with what an officer is doing? Get through it calmly, politely, get the officer’s info and make a report afterwards. The fact is, Spiers is entirely responsible for how he was treated.

   I’m so tired of the way narcissism masquarades as sticking up for “civil” rights.

9. #9
   On July 18th, 2004 at 2:47 pm, mb said:

   1) What makes a difference is that the photographer was told that it is illegal to take pictures there when in fact it is encouraged to take pictures there.

   2) No argument with investigating suspicious activity.

   3) Note that when the officers approched him politely and asked relvant questions, he reacted appropratiely. (They asked what he was doing and taking notes about, he explained and showed his ntoes). When officers threatened him, asked for irrelevant information, and told him he was violating laws which don’t exist, his hackles were raised. Yeah, he probably responded badly, but is it really the job of a citizen to appease those who are supposed to be working for him?

   ID is irrelevant. A terrorist could valid ID or fake ID or no ID, that has no bearing on anything.