Terrorism
Forgot to mention this yesterday. When I got home from work, my mom told me she had seen a story on the news about how the US is in imminent danger of a terrorist attack, or some other sensationalist American news bullshit. In that story, they put up photos of suspected terrorists, and one of the photos bears a startling resemblance to one of my own photos. Check it out for yourselves:
The suspected terrorist on the news
A fairly recent picture of me
Freaky, eh? It was enough to scare the hell out of my mom. It’s also a bit ironic that the reporter said this guy describes himself as a big heavy metal fan, which is close to my own taste in music. This ADAM YAHIYE GADAHN guy is listed as being 5′11″ and 190 pounds, exactly my height and nearly my weight. Similar eye colour, identical hair style when mine is straight, though his hair is much darker. And, very similar facial hair (though mine’s grown out in the front)
Admittedly, I’m a bit worried about this. I’m not concerned with the feds too much, although the Patriot Act says they could come whisk me away into the night if someone sees the broadcast picture and a glimpse of me and calls the cops. I’m more concerned about some chest-thumping patriotic redneck deciding to play vigilante and shooting me, especially since the FBI considers this guy “Armed and Dangerous”.
Anyway, hopefully this will all blow over, but I’ll be laying low IRL for a couple weeks. Perhaps I’m being too paranoid, but this kind of thing is one of the reasons why I think the Patriot Act is a horrible idea.
May 27th, 2004 at 18:50:34
There are certainly portions of the Patriot Act that need to be done away with, and John Ashcroft needs to be replaced. I supported giving him a chance originally, but now I think, while he means well, he needs to retire and enjoy private life.
I wouldn’t worry too much about this, but I can understand your concern. But, you live in a pretty small town, don’t you? Most people know, or know of, you, right?
Do you remember Brett Porter from VA? He thought he looked like Scott Peterson.
-Jamie
May 27th, 2004 at 18:57:15
I do live in a small town, but I travel a lot, and I’m going to Pittsburg next weekend. At least I’m not heading south
May 27th, 2004 at 18:57:32
that is pretty uncanny!! That’s how people get falsely accused and go to jail. People swear it’s them, not taking into consideration that there are people that look similar to one another!
Hope nothing bad happens!
MOMMY J
May 27th, 2004 at 20:30:08
Get a fake mustache.
May 27th, 2004 at 20:33:16
You are armed adn dangerous.
I’m sorry but I hope everything oges ok for you *hugs* You do look a lite like the picture but I’m sure you don’t have anyhtign to worry about. You look good thoguh. If that means anyhting.
May 27th, 2004 at 20:46:34
Erm, I have a real mustache now, I don’t need a fake one
May 27th, 2004 at 21:11:29
Get one anyway.
May 28th, 2004 at 10:15:16
I was reading yesterday’s local paper today (I’m usually a day behind) and I saw pics printed in the paper of the suspected people. I saw one guy that I thought kind of resembled you and then I check out your blog this morning and it’s the same guy. Definitely weird! I’m pretty hopeful that people around here probably don’t pay much attention to those pics anyway. Where we live, people somehow think no one like that would be here.
May 28th, 2004 at 10:42:47
I was thinking he looked like one of my friends…
Eep!
May 28th, 2004 at 11:56:07
I THOUGHT that guy in the paper looked familiar! It IS you, isn’t it?!
…Er, wait, no. That’s just my boredom kicking in again.
May 31st, 2004 at 22:31:36
So that wasn’t you on the front page? Darn.
I think you’re overreacting, honestly. You don’t need to lie low. Nobody’s going to shoot you. You are innocent until proven guilty, and you can be easily proven innocent with several phone calls to all of your family and friends.