Well, there was a report in the NY Times about a Indian (IIRC) man “with an accent” who asked to get tickets to “The Producers” for his upcoming trip to NYC with his family. The producers is sold out until the end of time, so he asked about other “popular” shows. Meaning “popular” as in, is it any good? The ticketmaster operater called the cops, because she thought he might have been looking for a crowded show as a good target. He did have an accent, after all.
He was arrested when he called for his tickets, with his family.
On the bonus side, the either the theater or ticketmaster arranged to get him free tickets to “The Producers”.
Still, it’s a disturbing story, no?
capacitor The above story was reported by a credible newspaper, which directly quoted interviews it conducted with the man in question and ticketmaster agents. Sure, it could be a lie, but then, so could any other news story.
I can understand the authorities investigating him. I can see why they might stop by his house and question him.
But arresting him? That’s not only extreme, but it’s downright frightening. How is this different from individuals harrassing Middle Easterners? The only difference is, these individuals have badges that protect them.
Also, if this man doesn’t speak much English, perhaps the only words he knows well are those that he has heard 4,897,098 times on the news in the past month or so. And destruction, American, and states have been spoken a lot.
YMMV, of course. I just think it’s outrageous that he was arrested.
The nice thing about the modern First Amendment is that it it can be used to restrict any speech it damn well wants too. But then again the whole Constitution is that way isn’t it.
“It was Necessary and Proper under these circumstances to kill all those demonstrators, I say!”