Russell Beattie

My pal David Mery got arrested in London last Thursday for being a geek:

Arrested for suspicious behaviour and public nuisance...

So, basically the Police have decided that wearing a rain jacket, carrying a rucksack with a laptop inside, looking down at the steps while going in a tube station and checking your phone for messages just tick too many checkmarks on their checklist and make you a terrorist suspect. How many other people are not only wrongly detained but wrongly arrested every week in similar circumstances as myself? And how many of them are also computer and telecoms enthusiasts that fit the Police’s terrorist behavioural profile so well? I accept and understand spot checks can be useful, but profiling… this would be a joke if it didn’t affect many ‘innocent bystanders’.

They also went into his apartment and hunted for anything suspicious, including a doodle of red ink, which they claim to be a map. I somehow had this mistaken impression that the English were a bit more together than the Americans and wouldn't flip out like this after the bombings. I guess not.

Since my new direct boss works in London, I'm flying out in a couple weeks and will most likely be visiting often. Remind me to smile at all the cops, wear tight clothing and whistle a happy tune at all times, hey?

-Russ