September 13, 2003
Tasteful remembrances
|
This is so outrageous that I'm surprised it didn't happen here:
OPELOUSAS
A 16-ton armored personnel carrier accidentally rolled into a police car here on Thursday, during a simulated terrorist attack that included a captured and handcuffed “terrorist” portrayed by a police officer wearing a Middle Eastern-style headdress.
The scenario played out during a ceremony to commemorate the second anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on America.
Opelousas Police Chief Larry Caillier said the exercise, which included an exploding flash bomb, was to show the city of nearly 23,000 residents what it would be like to live through a terrorist attack.
......
Caillier said he wanted the scenario to be realistic, complete with the terrorist saying his final prayers just before the bomb went off.
“A terrorist that has a bomb on him, they’ll start hearing the final prayer. Or maybe they won’t hear it, but their lips will be moving. I wanted regular citizens to see how hellacious a terrorist attack can be. It even scared me; I wasn’t expecting it.”
Caillier said he didn’t think the enactment offended anyone there.
However, when told of the display, Joe Cook, executive director of the Louisiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said he thought it was in poor taste.
“I’ve never heard of anything like this before,” Cook said. “Right now, we need government officials to promote tolerance. It’s inappropriate, and it encourages hatred of people based on their nationality.”
Caillier said the demonstration was not a reflection on any particular culture or race.
......
“Today you have seen what could happen if there was a terrorist attack in Opelousas,” St. Landry Parish Police Jury President Ronald Buschel said.
......
“Our unit is trained to keep the public safe,” Caillier said. “Where do you come to the conclusion that only New York City could be attacked?”
Posted by Norwood at September 13, 2003 11:47 AMNice site. Easy to use.
Posted by: gay porn reality at July 28, 2004 06:47 AM