I don't know how many people read Harper's magazine, but some of their articles are worse of attention. Here I'm posting an articles that for me seemed to be really unusual to believe and frighten at the same time. Read it and leave your comments.
In this article, what really caught my attention was not a police action/reaction but their thoughts and reasoning. Maybe I expect too much from people, but after the beginning of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, should not be people familiar with Islam and its followers. OK, if not general public, how about our police officers?
"I GOT A TALIBAN, BRO "
From an August 4, 2007, video recording of a traffic stop in Goose Creek, South Carolina, seven miles from Naval Weapons Station Charleston. The stop resulted in the arrests of Ahmed Mohamed and YoussefMegahed, Egyptian students at the University of South Florida. After the men gave deputies James Blakely and Andy Taylor permission to search their car, the deputies found explosive materials that authorities contend were intended for use as pipe bombs. The accused claim they were for firecrackers. Mohamed and Megahed are charged with transporting explosives without permits.
JAMES BLAKELY: Can I see your driver's license and registration?
AHMED MOHAMED: Yes, sir. Driver's license.
BLAKELY: Do you have your registration?
MOHAMED: No.
BLAKELY: Why not?
YOUSSEF MEGAHED: We don't own the car. My brother owns it. He lives in Tampa.
BLAKELY: Why did it take you so long to pull over?
MOHAMED: Because the roads are slanted, that's why.
BLAKELY: Okay, I'll be right back with you. [Moves to the front of the patrol vehicle and speaks to deputy Andy Taylor] They act weird, don't they?
ANDY TAYLOR: They have Korans.
BLAKELY: When I walked up, they were putting all kinds of stuff-wires-in the back of the car. I saw a laptop. Seem like damn terrorists, don't they? [On radio] Hey, now, look here, I got two guys supposed to be out of Florida. Well, it took them forever to pull over, and they were both digging in the console and in the back. The driver's not saying much, but both of them were sitting holding Korans in their laps. One's got a laptop. I think they're part of the damn Taliban. Seriously, bro. They're acting weird. They're acting weird as crap. I got a T aliban, bro. Them boys got me scared. TAYLOR: I'm getting the hell out of here. Maybe they're going to practice suicide bombing?
BLAKELY: Hey man, not right now. I think they're Islamic. Are they Islamic? I'm just assuming.
TAYLOR: Well, he passed suicide-bomber school freakin' quickly. [Referring to the birth date on Megahed's driver's license] February 8, 1986. They're going to blow up Berkeley County Lot.
BLAKELY: That, or they've damn been over to the base. This one's got a temporary driver's license. So he's only visiting from damn Kuwait or Iraq.
TAYLOR: They're turning on the bomb right now.
BLAKELY: Dude, shut up! I'm talking shit about them on the damn tape. He's on the phone with somebody.
TAYLOR: That's for remote detonation.
BLAKELY: I'm going to get him out of the car. I'm going to search it, and you have to help me.
TAYLOR: Go ahead. I've got your back from behind the water tower.
(Harper's Magazine/August 2008, page28)
Tags: politics