[at-l] Re: Deeper subjects - the Trail and Sept 11

[rbenhameda@home.com (Rami)]

Brian replied:
> Second, I am a medium tan complected male (born and raised in
the U.S.)
> with dark hair, a dark beard, a big (Arabic) nose, and to top it all
> off, my name is Rami Karim Ben Hameda and my father is Abdul Hamid
> Mustafa Ben Hameda.
>

Hmmm.  Yeah, I guess the situation would be different for me.
I'm a tall,
light haired, light skinned, college guy.  My appearance
screams suburbia.
The fact that we would be treated differently is a terrible
thing, but is
reality I suppose.


Didn't mean to imply that I'd ever had any type of prejudicial
treatment.
I've never even had a sideways look that I know of.
Most people realize that I'm not w.a.s.p. but don't have any idea what I
am.
If anyone guesses (usually after I say my name) the guess is "Mexican"

I don't expect to be treated differently, but If I am, I'm not too
worried about it.  I don't usually get very stressed out about things.

[...]
> Knowledge of civil rights as they apply to police activity is not my
> forte, but I've come to the conclusion that it will need to be soon.
> Several of my friends are city, county, and state cops.  The
first thing
> they say is that nothing sets off their alarm quicker than an
> uncooperative person.

I didn't say I'd be impolite; on the contrary, I think the key IS to be
very nice, even if you refuse to give them what they want.

("No officer, I was going the speed limit."  "Yes sir, I'm sure."  "Yes,
I'll drive safely, officer."  I've only had one bad cop experience.)

Hopefully the cops around the trail would know what the AT is, so seeing
the scruffy hiker wouldn't set them off too much.

-Brian



Sorry, my misunderstanding.  That's how I interpreted your words.

Can you share your limit with us?  What questions would be ok and where
would you stop cooperating and why?  Perhaps I'm being too docile in my
attitude....

-r