I'm not sure one way or another (How could I be? Hardly a scrap of information was released.) whether this woman is mentally unstable or proving a point or what. Was she even threatening anyone? Is it illegal (or just prohibited) to carry a 13-in blade on your person? I don't know, maybe it is. But I am wondering about her intentions. By her comment, "What are you going to do -- shoot me?" I'm inclined to think that she was not doing anything illegal, just pushing the envelope.
I'm also wondering why they used the word prohibited, instead of illegal. Of course, I'm not in favor of some person causing death, or injury to others. Still, I'm curious about the facts here. Was she simply handling a machete? Use of the word 'wielding' makes it seem like she was threatening someone. You might say, why should we wait until she threatens someone? Or do you say, where will we draw the line on arresting people when they aren't breaking the law? Maybe I should ask, do we believe it's okay to arrest people on fear-based assumptions?
God forbid the day cameras are deemed a prohibited weapon ... is my point. Though you may not think of a camera as a weapon. I still wonder where will the line be drawn?
Main Entry: pro·hib·it
Pronunciation: prO-'hi-b&t, pr&-
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin prohibitus, past participle of prohibEre to keep off, from pro- forward + habEre to hold -- more at PRO-, GIVE
1 : to forbid by authority : ENJOIN
2 a : to prevent from doing something b : PRECLUDE
synonym see FORBID
Main Entry: wield
Pronunciation: 'wEld
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English welden to control, from Old English wieldan; akin to Old High German waltan to rule, Latin valEre to be strong, be worth
1 chiefly dialect : to deal successfully with : MANAGE
2 : to handle (as a tool) especially effectively
3 a : to exert one's authority by means of
- wield·er noun
(source of definitions: merriam-webster.com)
2 comments:
I think I remember this woman complaining about a bad photocopy job back when I worked at the U of MN's Wilson Library. She's the sort that probably looks dangerous holding a bent spoon.
Maybe she was twirling the machete around while simultaneously juggling some flaming bowling pins. I wonder how much change was in her upside down hat before they took her in.
Think about the jokers who "accidentally" fly an aircraft over the White House and are greeted by F-16s. I think those folks are usually released after some serious reprimand, but imagine the threat of a moving propeller compared to flaming bowling pins.
Either way, it sounds pretty warped.
I think she's pretty lucky in this political climate. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that diners at White House functions eat with plastic cutlery nowadays.
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