October 12, 2004
The climate of fear, right here
Yesterday, in the process of running errands, I passed the Iraqi embassy on 18th and P Streets, NW. I pass it at least twice a week, and the first thing I noticed this time around was the number of newspapers in plastic bags on the driveway.
This afternoon, I planned on dropping by with my camera to photograph the newspapers as part of a DCSOB post in which I would joke that the interim Iraqi government paid as much attention to the newspapers as the Bush Administration, which is to be expected since one appointed the other and they share speechwriters.
As a headed out with my camera, I started to worry. Of course, some agency had agents around the building, or at least watching security cameras nearby. Given the unwanted attention paid by authorities to people who take pictures in subways and near dams, I worried that I would have some unwanted guests joining me on my walk home.
As I got closer, I started to think of what I should do as a precaution. I decided that I would take a roundabout route home, knocking off errands and trying to blend into crowds, as thin as they are in Dupont Circle at 5 p.m. in October. If they knocked on my door, I thought, I wouldn't let them in without a warrant, but I would show them the pictures on my camera as proof of my goodwill and non-destructive intent.
Well, it turns out that at some point between yesterday and this afternoon, someone picked up all the newspapers and my snarky little post was rendered moot.
But still, an American citizen who votes, pays taxes and registered with the Selective Service when he turned 18 should not worry about government agents getting on his case for photographing a building in his neighborhood. Sure, it was all in my head, but I'm not usually a paranoid person.
Is this what "Homeland Security" feels like?
Posted by rj3 at October 12, 2004 5:44 PM
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