[Robotgroup] Food for thought and discussion

[Tami Friedman]

On 2007 February 1 Vern Graner wrote:
  ----->> *[brevitized]* <<-----

> Right now, I have a couple of circuit boards on the front floorboard of the
> passenger side of my car. These boards consist of batteries, wires, resistors
> and LEDs. These very parts were deemed by the Boston authorities to be
> "consistent with an improvised explosive device":

  ----->> *snip* <<-----

> Do we go into "hiding" making sure our component laden circuits are always
> boxed or bagged to avoid the paranoid? Or do we proudly hold out our work for
> inspection and hope to educate others as to what it is and what we do?

> Or is it just a matter of time till someone sees one of our circuit boards
> accidentally left on a chair at Pokejo's and the bomb squad is called out?

> All in all, this recent development is very troubling to me... :(

> Vern

Last summer I was in Israel during a REAL war.  THere was REAL security.  Most
noticible to me (I was staying in a hostel in downtown Jerusalem) were the
frequent rounds made by the bomb-sniffing-dog squad, which paid special
attention to bus stops.  The tourist guide books clearly state instructions
for those who accidently leave items on a bus: Dont bother with lost & foound.
THe bomb squad will have already detonated your package by the time you
discover its loss. (However, you won't be arrested if you inquire about it -
they won't waste their time or resources.)

At the airport, I was asked by El Al security if I had any items in my luggage
that "would be of interest" to them.  THey were fine with the files and
Leatherman and other tools I had for jewelry making, but pulled me aside when
I mentioned the broken refrigerator fan motor that I was bringing home to
verify whether or not I had discovered the point of failure.  I was questioned
intensely about my visit (I had gone for my cousin's wedding) and my family;
(yes, they had given me the motor when I asked for it).  The motor (with the
broken part of its copper winding exposed) was passed around and examined
intently before being offered to at least 2 bomb-sniffing dogs who weren't the
lesst bit interested.  The motor is currently residing somewhere in the
general clutter of the Project Queue here at my house in Austin, and I was
RIGHT about the reason for its failure!

(Incidently, JFK security wasn't the least bit concerned with the motor - it
went through the machines without a hitch.  I, however, was required to
surrender my Dr. Pepper (the first in 3 weeks) and take off my sandals,
exposing my bare feet to the germ-infested floor.)

El Al makes one accompany one's luggage through screening BEFORE approaching
the checkin desk to get a boarding pass - if there are questionable items, YOU
open your own luggage and are present while it is being inspected.  Afterwards
YOU repack and close your own bag.  Once it has passed security, the luggage
(and your passport) are given bright orange stickers.  The luggage is loaded
while you obtain your boarding pass.  THere were NO lost luggage issues on El
Al.  I can't say the same for Delta.

In Jerusalem police (both military and civilian) were visible everywhere -
especially at night and especially in crowded areas. I saw no arrests, but my
pocketbook was (briefly) searched before I entered ANY restaurant, office
building or shopping mall, and before approaching the Western Wall.
Occasionaly I was asked about the bright yellow electronic object-with-antenna
that I carried everywhere.  I always got a smiling thumbs-up "Ahhh GPS!" (I
couldn't have navigated those twisty mazelike streets without it!)

There were checkpoints for vehicles coming into the city and although we
encountered only minor delays, a security persin briefly entered everry bus
and did a quick look at the passengers (who had been somewhat pre-screened
before boarding).  Profiling was everywhere, and it sped up the process (but
there were longer lines for the palestinians entering Jerusalem).

THere's a real difference between security and paranoia.  

While the police here are busy wasting time hunting down, arresting,
interrogating, and incarcerating every geek with an electronic object or tube
of toothpaste, real terrorists have free reign to innovate new types of
devices that will not arouse suspicion - but it seems they don't bother much
with the US anymore - they won a long time ago.  Big Brother (Homeland
INsecurity) is doing the job better than they ever could!


Now that the group meets consistently at Pokey-Joe's, I suspect the staff
there are learning that we're Mostly Harmless.  I wouldn't be surprised if
they held forgotten items for the group's next meeting - but I also wouldn't
be surprised if they threw them away, either.  I seriously doubt they'd call
the bomb squad - it would be bad for business.

    They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
    safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. 
                                               - Benjamin Franklin

I, too am deeply troubled, but I intend to keep excercising my Constitutional
rights.  It's definitely a "use it of lose it" issue.


.Tami
 .signature: syntax error at line 1: `(' unexpected

I'm not a robot, but I played one on TV.