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August 11, 2004
harmless geek hassled by security in big apple
This is a rare politics/geek category crossover...yesterday in NYC this blogger was pulled out of line to board his ferry for having this book in his bag. And again he was put under scrutiny today for having this book enclosed in his bag. The security professional deemed his fantasy role-playing supplement book was "inappropriate". His entries on the above incidents can be read here and here.
He wasn't wielding a gun, bomb or a sword. The man got hassled for having role playing books - which were out of sight in his bag mind you. This is just a taste of our future military state One Planet Under Bush. Imagine how it's going to get in NYC when the precious Republicans are there - you look at a cop the wrong way and you get put into jail? Wait and see...I'm guessing more than a few cases are heading to ACLU offices from NYC in the weeks ahead.
I remember chatting with some friends at a party in Kazakstan, where they told me that people who read Lord of the Rings novels were hassled by the police in Soviet times. People who would try to do geeky reenactments (live-action role playing or LARPing) were often put to jail. What people don't understand they will remove from their reality. Kinda like what's happening with queers these days. It all spills over into your back yard in the end.
Posted by jimbo at August 11, 2004 3:11 PM
Comments
This is very scary.
If I were a Wizard I'd definitely cast Fireball right now towards Bush. Or at least Stinking Cloud. :-) Perhaps they should work on a Consitutional Amendment banning humans from playing RPG characters. It's probably just as good as wasting time amending the constitution to protect us from "the gays."
Now we all have to watch what books we bring out in "public" or even what programs are installed or files are on our laptops.
Posted by: Tom Joyce at August 12, 2004 7:45 AM
As extreme as that incident sounds, it tends to happen and more so these days in our "era of paranoia"
I myself have gotten stoped my the Metro Gestapo.
They are just a bunch of arrogant, power hungry undereducated neanderthals.
Posted by: Dax at August 12, 2004 9:30 AM
At least it wasn't Colt or Inches then you'd be in loads of trouble! lol
Posted by: wyocwby at August 12, 2004 12:19 PM
Try smuggling issues of Honcho on the train in Kazakstan...now that'll make you sweat.
Posted by: jimbo at August 12, 2004 4:26 PM