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Madame La Mook, Most of the trainwatchers I've come in contact with, especially here in the forums, don't have a problem with being questioned. Some are even happy to answer my questions and understand why I'm asking them. Recently, I went through a mandatory training session from Homeland Security. They told us to be aware of some of the commonalities found with folks with evil and explosive intentions. Some of those commonalities were: -Single men with out of state or rental plates ignorant of local traffic laws or acting "lost". -A set of binoculars, a map, and a notebook in the front seat. They might have a camera and a GPS, too. It's even stranger if they have a scanner tuned to local police, fire... or railroad channels. Does that sound like anyone doing something we know and love dearly? Most cops don't understand that there is an appeal for some to watching trains. And taking pictures of them. All they know is that there is a strange person parked next to a yard (or main line) doing odd things. Their experience with railroads is usally confined to doing fatal accident reports at crossings. Some have been through Operation Lifesaver courses. My perspective is resenting the general attitude of a lot of my fellow citizens. It reminds me of the homeowner whose house catches on fire and gets upset when a bunch of uncouth firemen dump water all over the big screen TV or soak the rug. The same thing can be said about terrorism today. Frankly, the 9/11 terrorists did nothing illegal that day until they hijacked the aircraft. That doesn't stop people from asking questions like "Why weren't they stopped?" It also doesn't stop righteous law abiding citizens from protesting their civil rights are being violated when they take their shoes off in airports. Both sides of the coin have merit; both sides have good legal points; but it's plainly a no win situation for most cops. Today, it's better and safer to stop and ask questions, rather than watch a building collapse and know you could have stopped it. Or watch a loaded chemical train derail. Thanks for the soapbox- I'll get down now. Erik
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