Last summer the Puget Sound populace was shaken by a bow wave of fear. Two 'Middle Eastern'-looking men took a few ferry rides on our state ferries. They appeared curious about the workings of the ferries and took photographs on board. Locals noticed their foreign appearance and their frightening actions and alerted Homeland Security. A massive search mission failed to identify or apprehend the two, even with huge front-page headshots in the papers and some quality time on CNN. Much anguished discussion resulted both here on DK and in Northwest newspapers and news forums. Had we been violated by terrorists? When were they coming back? What were they planning?
The FBI said today that the men recently came forward in their EU home country, presumably after hearing about their newsmaking adventures, and told their side of the story. They were businessmen, and have proven that they were in Washington on a legitimate business trip. Woe to them for trying to sneak in a little sightseeing on our waters. The FBI has cleared the two of any evildoing. Betcha they won't come back anyway.
Homeland Security has done so very much for our image abroad. The rest of us have finished the job for them.
http://www.komotv.com/...