Actually maybe not 'only in America'. There was a situation in the U.K. a couple of years ago, when a member of the public reported to the police that they'd seen a hand gun in the rear footwell of a car parked on a suburban street. An armed response team staked out the street for an hour or so and then ambushed a man as he approached his small hatchback. He had eight loaded weapons trained on him while they ordered him to lie on the road and put his hands behind his head, which were duly handcuffed. The 'gun' turned out to be a childs toy and wasn't even black. The gentleman was released without apology or counselling. Had he twitched at the wrong time there were eight chances he could have been shot by a marksman who probably believed they were looking at an armed felon.
Is it not the case that incidents such as occurred last sept are used to justify measures and authorities, which put officers (of whatever agency) in a position where they are compelled to overreact in the name of security? Whose fault will it be if someone ends up dead and who will care if decent peoples civil liberties are breached, in the name of 'security'??
Answers on the back of a postcard...
[ 12 February 2002: Message edited by: TDK ]</p>