Fiona Apple -- The Idler Wheel

[Mugwog]

Shut the fuck up Amy.

Get smelly proof bags and a vacuum sealer. Have your bus driver know what routes have routine stops and which ones don't.

Fucking amateurs.

[Alchemy]

One of the stories I read said she was stopped at an "interior check point".
Because i'm tired. Here is what wiki says about them.

So if you're close to the border you can be stopped and searched for things that HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH BORDER SECURITY.

I've gone through this infamous check point many times. It separates El Paso from the rest of Texas, which I believe is why it is there. I think the idea is that they might catch whatever the actual border check points missed, since a great deal of all the drugs in the United States first make their way through El Paso/Juarez.

I know somebody who has had to stay in their little holding cell. But I've never had that kind of problem. Although, there have been a few times when they were being ultra-vigilant and slowing down traffic. And I mean spending like a minute or more with each damn car, where the line stretches for about 50 cars. It's a stupid checkpoint.

[suprefan]

Shut the fuck up Amy.

Get smelly proof bags and a vacuum sealer. Have your bus driver know what routes have routine stops and which ones don't.

Fucking amateurs.

Prob willie nelsons driver.

[TomAz]

And never been through that stretch of West Texas. I-10 is the only east-west paved road in 50 miles in either direction.

[faxman75]

At least Jesse Ventua will take a stand. He mentions the interior check-points too.

[TomAz]

There are at least six Border Patrol checkpoints in San Diego County, exclusive of the three actual border crossings. If we take the freeway (instead of the backroads) out to our favorite county desert campground, we could conceivably be stopped twice, without being anywhere near the border. At first they were casual about it, and it was strange being stopped, but it didn't seem all that intrusive. When the day came that they came to our windows demanding to know where we were going, wearing flak jackets and carrying assault rifles, we were like WTF? And on later trips, when they starting demanding to know our citizenship, and the citizenship of our children, that's when we were like what the hell country are we living in? It's ridiculous, and I'm sick of it. And yes, god help you if you've got any contraband and they have dogs; they will nail you to the wall.

You're my age, you remember what it was like growing up in the Cold War. As kids in school we were taught that the Soviet Union was bad because their people were not free, and one of the most common examples given was the restriction on travel within the country. My family would take road trips, we would drive from Ohio to Florida or something, and my dad would say "Now imagine what it would be like if the army stopped us along the way and made us show our papers. That's what the Soviet Union is, kids." But that's precisely what the US is turning into.

[faxman75]

But only the darker skinned Americans have to do that Tom. Not us.

[amyzzz]

Fiona Apple has dark skin?

[suprefan]

Fiona Apple has dark skin?

Her bus driver was

[HowToDisappear]

You're my age, you remember what it was like growing up in the Cold War. As kids in school we were taught that the Soviet Union was bad because their people were not free, and one of the most common examples given was the restriction on travel within the country. My family would take road trips, we would drive from Ohio to Florida or something, and my dad would say "Now imagine what it would be like if the army stopped us along the way and made us show our papers. That's what the Soviet Union is, kids." But that's precisely what the US is turning into.

It's genuinely appalling. We're sliding down the slippery slope, and I don't know how to stop it.


And Faxy, don't count on it. My husband's whiter than white (I'm not dark-skinned either, but I have dark hair/eyes/ambiguous ethnicity). They'll still demand to know your comings and goings and have that AK at the ready if needed, for added emphasis.

[TomAz]

Either you people can't read, or you've not met HTD in person. She's about as white as white gets.

[HotHamWater]

I guess the checkpoint just north of Las Cruces never bothered me, even though you occasionally see people with guns there. I never had anything illegal on me, so they never had a reason to detain or hassle me.

[HowToDisappear]

That's not the point. We never carry anything illegal either. We're about as harmless as they come. But if we decide we'd like to go camping in a place we've camped a million times, in a county in which we were born and raised, and we've broken no laws and committed no crimes, what right have they to question our right to be there and travel where we please on open, public roadways? It's insane. (When they took a long, hard look at our daughters, who were home at the time for winter break from college, and questioned their citizenship, my hackles were completely raised. And the girls? They were stunned.)

Last winter we popped up to Idyllwild, and they'd added a checkpoint to the 79 (a very beautiful and remote backcountry road) south of the Riverside County line, and all we could say to ourselves was "OH FUCKING HELL... REALLY???" Of course, when the border patrol agent stopped us and asked where we were going, we cheerily replied, "Idyllwild", when what we really wanted to say was "well, that's really none of your fucking business, is it?... because last I heard, this was a free country." But that would be the wrong answer, and getting snippy with a federal agent is never a good idea.

[PotVsKtl]

[Mr. Fuzz]

Damn! So that's the law, huh?

[Miroir Noir]

Yep. The two questions that will end most police encounters are 1) "am I free to leave?" and 2) "if I am not free to leave, do you have probable cause for detaining me?"

[HotHamWater]

That's not the point. We never carry anything illegal either. We're about as harmless as they come. But if we decide we'd like to go camping in a place we've camped a million times, in a county in which we were born and raised, and we've broken no laws and committed no crimes, what right have they to question our right to be there and travel where we please on open, public roadways? It's insane. (When they took a long, hard look at our daughters, who were home at the time for winter break from college, and questioned their citizenship, my hackles were completely raised. And the girls? They were stunned.)

Last winter we popped up to Idyllwild, and they'd added a checkpoint to the 79 (a very beautiful and remote backcountry road) south of the Riverside County line, and all we could say to ourselves was "OH FUCKING HELL... REALLY???" Of course, when the border patrol agent stopped us and asked where we were going, we cheerily replied, "Idyllwild", when what we really wanted to say was "well, that's really none of your fucking business, is it?... because last I heard, this was a free country." But that would be the wrong answer, and getting snippy with a federal agent is never a good idea.

No, I understand. I'm probably the one with the problem because I should care more. I just always answered the questions and went on my way. I never felt violated or anything.

[Mr. Fuzz]

Yep. The two questions that will end most police encounters are 1) "am I free to leave?" and 2) "if I am not free to leave, do you have probable cause for detaining me?"

What if I say "no" but they want me to walk the line or take a breathalizer after?

[HowToDisappear]

I checked the ACLU's website, and you are only compelled by law to answer questions by the Border Patrol at the border or in an airport. So you can refuse at these checkpoints. I am certain it would be a drawn out, unpleasant experience, and they'd probably run your plates and put your name on some "non-compliant" list somewhere but.... WHOO-HOO.


And Tommy, I really do feel it's a violation every time it happens. It worries me that an entire generation is growing up to believe this is normal and acceptable.

[faxman75]

Using a drug sniffing dog at an interior immigration check point is illegal. Here are some court cases you can read on the matter.

City of Indianapolis V Edmond, US V Martinez-Fuerte, US V Ortiz and US V Brignoni-Ponce.

Also there are plenty of youtube videos of people purposely challenging these check points and often these agents have no choice but to let the people go and they use the two questions Miroir Noir suggests above.

[Alchemy]

Fiona was fantastic tonight!

[Miroir Noir]

What if I say "no" but they want me to walk the line or take a breathalizer after?

That depends on the context. You always have the right to remain silent and to not answer incriminating questions or to perform incriminating tests. But there's no guarantee that your silence, rightly or wrongly, will prevent your arrest.

Also to note: in Pot's video above, I'm not certain that the subject's refusal to answer questions would have resulted in nearly as favorable of a result if he had smelled of booze or demonstrated obvious physical signs of impairment.

[TomAz]

[Mugwog]

Also to note: in Pot's video above, I'm not certain that the subject's refusal to answer questions would have resulted in nearly as favorable of a result if he had smelled of booze or demonstrated obvious physical signs of impairment.

Yeah the person in the video sounded very sober and aware of the situation. I've been at check points before and been asked the same thing. Had my car reeking of weed too, but this is California, officer asked me if I had smoked any weed and I said, "Nope". He gave me a dirty look and let me go, he knew he couldn't get shit for weed in CA.

I wonder how many people have attempted that strategy impaired though....

[nathanfairchild]

the drama continues...

First, Honey, I’m already more famous than you, I don't need your help. However, it would appear that you need mine....

Two weeks ago nobody in the country cared about what you had to say, -- now that you’ve been arrested it appears your entire career has been jump-started. Don’t worry Sweetie, I won't bill you...

Next, have you ever heard of Snoop, Willie or Armand Hammer? Maybe if you would read something besides your own press releases, you would have known BEFORE you got here, that if you come to Texas with dope, the cops will take your DOPE away and put YOU in jail...

Even though you and I only met briefly in the hallway, I don't know you but I'm sure you're an awesome and talented young woman and even though I'm not a fan of yours, I am sure there are thousands of them out there, and I’m sure that they would just as soon you get this all behind you and let you go back to what you do best—so my last piece of advice is simple "just shut-up and sing."

Sincerely

Rusty Fleming

[nyarlathotoats]

the drama continues...

The fuck is that about? Douchebag party of one, your table is ready

[algunz]

What the hell is that from?

[bmack86]

That guy really needs to get disciplined. That is most definitely not acceptable behavior for a police officer in a criminal matter. I'm glad she released the letter, even if it might cause an old, fire-and-brimstone judge and the police department in the area to look less favorably on her than they already probably are.

[Miroir Noir]

What the hell is that from?

The local sheriff!

Who apparently lacks access to a spokesperson, civil attorney, or common sense.

[Miroir Noir]

Lololol wait. This was the spokesperson.