Knives & NYC Buildings & Museums

[peacefuljeffrey]

They tried that at the local theater in the downtown district called "CityPlace" in West Palm Beach. It was in the first months after 9/11/01.

I was at the theater with my EDC knives and my Glock. It was in a satchel bag. I had purchased my ticket outside and gone through the front doors, only to be directed to a search line, where some paid square-badger was checking the bags of those who had come with them. I was suddenly in that situation I have had bad dreams about -- a gun on me that I shouldn't have... except, d'oh, I AM permitted to carry! So I was thinking, "What's gonna happen if they ask to search my bag, I let them, and they see a GUN in there?" I could easily imagine some on-the-spot "rule" made up that says "NO GUNS, legal or not." Plus, I did not want the people I was with, nor anyone else for that matter, knowing I was armed.

I ducked out one of the other front glass doors (the line was along the front of the building. I paused outside, looked at my ticket to see if there was a "no guns" stipulation, found there was none, and so I went back in. This time I was going to simply refuse to be searched. Instead, the girl who'd taken my ticket the first time was about to tell me to get searched, and then she stopped and said, "Oh, you've been in already," and waved me on. I went on into the theater-proper and never got searched.

ON THE WAY OUT... I did stop and speak with a manager. Without admitting anything about a gun on me, I told him I objected to this silliness with a feel-good search and would not be coming back to the theater while the policy was in place. I came back to see a movie a few weeks later, ready to not go in if this was still going on, but they had abandoned the stupid searches. They have not re-instituted them.

Folks, I understand the family-in-tow principle you illustrated. Apart from that, we HAVE to be willing to turn on our heels and walk away, with our money and patronage, inform management that it is due to intrusive and useless searches that we are indignant and unwilling, and write to the company as well. They'll continue to infringe on our rights (and to hell with common sense) if we LET them. Sh!t, they'll still try even if we DON'T let them, so imagine how easy it gets for them when we go right along!

---Jeffrey

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Originally posted by peacefuljeffrey
Just what are you saying, Esav? That if it were not for the soldiers on the corners with rifles, there would be even MORE chaos, uncertainty, and death-by-terrorism in Israel? I'd say there's plenty.

How can you say "blah blah works even better?" HOW is it WORKING? All that keeps happening is "terrorist attack : reprisal against his home... terrorist attack : reprisal against his home..." over and over. Perhaps one gets some sort of vengeance-pleasure out of giving back what one gets... but if the goal is stopping anyone from carrying out terror, it's not working.

Very wrong, Jeffrey. It is working.

First of all, the Israeli solution is not soldiers on the corners with rifles, although they do post a lot more private security guards than we do. The soldiers with rifles are in the territories rounding up or intercepting the bombers before they get to their targets.

The number of bombings is significantly less than before the Israeli Army went back in. The number of attempts has remained the same. The system would be that little bit more successful if Israel got any cooperation from the major powers in flat-out telling the Arabs to stop it. Instead the EU consistently funds the purchase of bombs and bullets.

But thanks for caring.

 

[Blue Jays]

Good Evening All-

Originally posted by peacefuljeffrey
"...They'll continue to infringe on our rights (and to hell with common sense) if we LET them..."

--- Jeffrey ---

The particularly disturbing thing about this "for your safety" trend is the number of truly intelligent people who buy into it hook, line, and sinker. Some of these smart individuals are in my circle of friends and some are even family members.

These friends and family have seen the small folder clipped to my pocket for years. They acknowledge its inherent utility and turn to me whenever a blade is needed. These same people are among the first to roll their eyes when you speak about erosion of rights.

Simply, they don't view it as a big deal...but I guess they won't start getting active about liberty until it's their ox that is being gored. The metal detectors (sadly) give them a sense of peace.

Regards,

~ Blue Jays ~

 

[psdrew]

Our government and societies attempts to protect ourselves from... ourselves is a slow downward spiral. It starts with, "But even if ONE life could be saved...".

There are those who think in terms of community and those who think in terms of individual freedom. The community folks are running the show right now at the cost of freedom. Once territory is lost, it is extremely difficult (if not impossible) to regain it. All it takes is one unfortunate and irresponsible incident and entire classes of freedoms are forever gone.

This country was founded on the premise of individual rights and freedom from oppression. Oppression is the nebulous word here. One mans oppression is the other mans peace of mind.


Fabricated snippet from the year 2104:
"You WHAT! You left the house? Do you have any idea how irresponsible and dangerous that was? Our insurance doesn't cover unauthorized mobility between the hours of 7am - 8pm. Statistics show that you are in the most danger between those hours. That does it... you're on (guess what) restriction!"