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September 25, 2009
Extremist SEPTA photographer fesses up to terror plot
This morning I was startled by a chilling Drudge headline: Men vanish after taking photos of Philly subway system...Not only did I live in Philadelphia for years, but stories about disappearing humans always intrigue me, so naturally I clicked on the link, whereupon the mystery only deepened. Apparently a "man" and a "male" each took pictures at two different subway stations! Twice in the past two days, SEPTA officials have alerted police to men taking pictures on the Broad Street subway line in South Philadelphia.Taking pictures in the subway? So what on earth is the big deal with that? I read carefully to see whether there might be any conceivable terrorist connection, and the police say there isn't: So far, neither male has been identified, although Philadelphia Police officials say the two separate incidents have no link to any terrorist activities.Frankly, I don't like the anti-photography trend that seems to be emerging lately, and if there's no suspicion of terrorist activities, then what exactly is the point? If it's OK for government-subsidized cameras to be in SEPTA stations watching commuters, then who the hell cares whether a commuter takes pictures too? Is the rule that it's OK to photograph citizens, but citizens aren't allowed to dare photograph back? (Just out of curiosity, how is this supposed to help achieve the public policy goal of making people want to take public transportation, and you know, save the environment and stuff?) What I'd like to know is what is "suspicious" about taking a picture in a stupid subway station? I've taken lots of pictures in subway stations -- and even train stations -- both in New York, and in Philadelphia. And yes, I have specifically taken pictures in SEPTA stations! I decided to use this occasion to publicly confess, and provide evidence of my suspicious behavior for the entire world to see! The following suspicious photograph was taken on the very suspicious date of May 21, 2008, at the suspicious hour of 12:35 p.m.
May 21, BTW, happens to be the anniversary of a major gay riot in San Francisco -- at which I have publicly admitted to having been present. (Let me tell you, it was no tea party....) A mere coincidence? (That's what they all say.) Just so there is no question about the date, take a look at the next photo, which suspiciously shows a train pulling away:
Why would I be doing that? While it would be all too easy to claim that I have no conceivable connection to terrorism, isn't that what all suspicious people say when questioned? Considering the position taken by Janet Napolitano's Department of Homeland Security, can I be sure that I'm not some sort of extremist? And if that isn't enough to convince you of the dire threat I pose, consider these observations by leading terrorism expert Leonard Pitts, Jr. in today's Detroit Free Press: For the record: No version of health care reform being contemplated by Congress mandates death for the old, the disabled or the infirm. That's a canard. It is mendacity, prevarication, bald-faced lie.TERRORIZE! There you have it. When (along with M. Simon) I tried to wade through the 1017 page text of the bill, discussed the disappearing death panel language and quoted Sarah Palin with approval, I was not speculating about the interpretation bureaucratic gobbledygook (something I do a lot, BTW), nor was I engaged in partisan anti-Obamacare advocacy. Instead, I was attempting to terrorize people. (I only hope the readers of this blog were properly terrorized. Serves you right for coming here!) Frankly, I found the language very confusing, and even though they took it out, I'm till not sure what it meant, or how it might later have ultimately been interpreted. So call me puzzled. And I am not alone. Via Glenn Reynolds, Tom Maguire looks at a poll which asks: Do you think the changes to the health care system under consideration will or will not create government organizations that will make decisions about when to stop providing medical care to the elderly, or don't you know enough about the changes yet to say?Does that mean that 26% of this country's citizens are guilty of "terrorizing" people simply for saying what they think? And what about the 51% who are puzzled? Are they potential sympathizers with "terrorism"? I don't know, but just to be on the safe side, the terrorizers probably shouldn't be allowed to carry cameras on subways. We can't be too careful! posted by Eric on 09.25.09 at 11:27 AM
Comments
Darn, and I really enjoyed those blog, too. You realize that even if they let you maintain this blog from GITMO that I won't be visiting any more? Unless maybe they let me bring my laptop when they put me in there too. Because I gotta admit that I, too, have terroristically taken pictures of mass transit facilities. Steve Skubinna · September 25, 2009 01:35 PM You can't fool me. That's not a subway station. Looks like Suburban Station to me. lbphilly · September 25, 2009 02:47 PM You're right! It's Suburban Station, which is a SEPTA station -- a center hub into which enter numerous Regional Rail and subway lines (including, of course, the Broadway Street line): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suburban_Station
All SEPTA Regional Rail trains stop at this station. All run through except those on the R6 Cynwyd line as well as some limited/express trains which terminate on one of the stub-end tracks at this station. Through trains usually change crews at this station. The station has an extensive concourse level above track level. This concourse has SEPTA ticket offices, retail shops and restaurants, and access to other SEPTA stations and to several Center City buildings. The connections include the Broad Street Line at the City Hall station and the Market-Frankford Line and Subway-Surface Lines at the 15th Street station. Is there a difference between taking pictures there and taking pictures at the Lombard-South or Snyder Avenue stations? Eric Scheie · September 25, 2009 04:36 PM Don't discuss bus schedules. - National Lampoon rhhardin · September 25, 2009 07:16 PM Post a comment
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I refuse to travel by plane or train. All those cameras, everywhere I go. Why does the government want to steal my soul?