Subject: Governmnet run terrorist groups terrorize people birding the Niagra [sic] River
Date: Jan 7 11:15:31 2004
From: Paul Webster - paul.webster at comcast.net


Hi Stewart,

The Niagara incident is not an example of government terrorism, but it does
show what happens when lots of police extras have too much time on their
hands. I was told about a similar incident in Texas several years back when
the Texas Rangers were mobilized because someone in West Texas claimed his
county had seceded from the state. Richard Webster and Rose Ann Rowlett and
their Field Guides tour group were stopped and questioned because police had
observed them using "optical equipment."

Paul Webster
Seattle
paul.webster at comcast.net


----- Original Message -----
From: "Stewart Wechsler" <ecostewart at quidnunc.net>
To: <fbwood at u.washington.edu>; <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2004 6:28 AM
Subject: Governmnet run terrorist groups terrorize people birding the Niagra
River


> This is confirmation that it's those running our government that are the
> real terrorists.
>
> Stewart Wechsler
> ecostewart at quidnunc.net
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu
> [mailto:TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Fran Wood m
> Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 11:25 PM
> To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
> Subject: HEADS UP! while birding the Niagra River
>
>
> >
> >
> I don't subscribe to GeneseeBirds, but this was forwarded to me by a WNY
> birder.
> Fran Wood (male), Seattle (Madrona)
> Original Message -----
> > >From: "Willie D'Anna & Betsy Potter" <dannapotter at wzrd.com>
> > >To: "Willie D'Anna & Betsy Potter" <dannapotter at wzrd.com>; "NYSBirds"
> > ><nysbirds-l at cornell.edu>; "OntBirds" <ontbirds at hwcn.org>;
"Geneseebirds"
> > ><geneseebirds-l at geneseo.edu>
> > >Sent: Saturday, January 03, 2004 7:46 PM
> > >Subject: [GeneseeBirds-L] Birding the Niagara River - HEADS UP!
> If you are planning to bird the Niagara River on the American side then
> You need to read this. NOTE: this is not a joke!
> Today, Dean DiTommaso and I walked Bird Island Pier in Buffalo, in
> Search of the recently reported Willet. Bird Island Pier starts at Squaw
> Island and runs south, parallel to the NY shore and 200 yards out. It
> crosses under the Peace Bridge (the bridge between the US and Canada) and
> continues for a total one-way length of about 1.5 to 2 miles. We were a
> little beyond the very end of the pier, studying the Willet for some five
> minutes, when three Buffalo Police Officers walked up to the end of the
> pier. One drew his gun and shouted to us, "Put your hands in the air and
> walk slowly toward us!"
> He then repeated his demand. We left our scopes where they were and did
as
> ordered. Apparently, someone reported that two people were filming the
> Peace Bridge. Obviously, we were not but is that a crime? (Rhetorical
> question.) We eased their concerns very quickly after providing ID and
> telling them what we were doing. Nevertheless, they told us that we had
to
> go back to the beginning of the pier with them because there were people
> there who wanted to talk to us. Upon returning to the start of the pier,
we
> noticed about 8 vehicles, mostly Buffalo P.D. but also the Border Patrol
and
> perhaps some unmarked vehicles. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard was patrolling
> the water keeping an eye on us during the entire affair. All told, there
> were probably 15 law enforcement personnel involved. We were also told
that
> the FBI was on the way. After waiting some 45 more minutes, they
requested
> to search my vehicle. Since I wanted to get out of there and continue
> birding on this fine weather day, I let them. Finally, they decided we
> could go. But first, we had to go through the TV interview - Channel 7.
> The Border Patrol gave me a card, suggesting that birders phone them
> when they are going to be out on the pier or anywhere near one of the
> international bridges. Obviously, you don't have to do this since you
> have every right to bird but it could save you some hassle. (It's the
> scopes that make them nervous.) Here are the numbers:
> Border Patrol:
> Local - (716) 447-3942
> Toll-free - (800) 331-0353
> Email - BPBuffalo at dhs.gov
>
>
> Good birding!
> Willie
> --------------
> Willie D'Anna
> Betsy Potter
> Niagara Falls, N.Y.
> dannapotter at wzrd.com
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