Use these and become a suspect
Chicago Tribune news : Nation/World — While this story about how bird watchers are potential terroists might have some rationale since there is a Navy base involved, stories are cropping up everywhere like this. Apparently anyone floating around with binoculars is going to be seen as a potential terrorist. This is despite the fact that Arab terrorists don’t go around with binoculars looking at birds. In fact they don’t go around with binoculars anyway. What the US government thinks of as a potential terrorist seems to be based on WWII Hollywood movies. My prediciton: expect to have to fill out a form and get a background check to buy binoculars.
Meanwhile the borders are wide open.
Birders say they are being targeted for restrictions. But bridge-tunnel officials say the crossing is a critical link to Hampton Roads–location of the Navy’s largest base–and must be protected from a potential terrorist attack.
The decision last week was part of a compromise between birders and bridge-tunnel administrators, who agreed to limited access after initially forbidding any access to the three islands.
The rules that go into effect July 1 require bird-watchers to give advance notice of visits to three of the 17.6-mile crossing’s four islands and pay $50 an hour for a security escort. They also must provide photo identification and be willing to have their belongings checked. Researchers and scientists will pay $50 for a yearly pass that may require a background check and references.
found by P. Saffo
