I disagree that this is a 9/11 related phenomenon, this is the "we must
protect children at all costs" effect.
It's interesting, but by all measures, "stranger abductions" of children
have fallen by both absolute numbers
and number per thousand of children. Most abductions are by parents
who've lost custody in a divorce,
and always have been, but if you watch the evening news and reality
based television programs you would
think that most were abducted by roving perverts. Now, don't get me
wrong, anytime something like that happens
it's a horrible tragedy, but it doesn't justify the measures being
taken. The phrase "protect the children" has been
used to justify everything from higher taxes, to prior restraint, to the
war on drugs, to that ridicules Texas law that
started that other thread. The previous administration here in the US
was particularly good at using that argument, and
it worked so well that the current one simply added it to their
repertoire. Local officials and politicians have been
using it much longer than national figures and each time it's invoked we
lose a little more freedom.
Shel Belinkoff wrote:
Charged with what, Markus? Being a concerned, nervous, scared citizen?
In this post 9/11 world it's not unusual to see signs up in a variety of
places urging people to report any unusual or out of place activity to the
police. I don't know if any such signs like that are in Albany, but people
are becoming used to seeing them.
I work at home. When i see a strange car in the area during the day,
people who don't live here loitering about, I pay attention. I won't call
the police at a drop of the hat, but there has been enough crap that goes
on around here that it just makes good sense to be observant.
Shel
[Original Message]
From: Markus Maurer
People calling the police for nothing should be charged IMHO.
Glad you did well, I would not have been so cooperative.
--
When you're worried or in doubt,
Run in circles, (scream and shout).
