If you walk into a store

[SBassman]

I read some but not all of this thread.

These days, post 9-11, everyone should be accepting security measures, not challenging them.

My other comment is - if you are going into a store to Shop, do you really need to bring a significant bag with you? How about a wallet/purse and that's it?

[Ziltoid]

Originally Posted by SBassman

These days, post 9-11, everyone should be accepting security measures, not challenging them.

That's a slippery slope, we should always question. Question what we've been taught, what we're told, question the authority, questions rules, question policies.

And as for your other point, I'm a student, I don't own a car. It is necessary for me to carry a container of some sort where I go. Same goes for people who walk, bike, etc. as their means of transport.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by Ziltoid

That's a slippery slope, we should always question. Question what we've been taught, what we're told, question the authority, questions rules, question policies.

And as for your other point, I'm a student, I don't own a car. It is necessary for me to carry a container of some sort where I go. Same goes for people who walk, bike, etc. as their means of transport.

And if your questions lead to answers that support the practice, then support it.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by SBassman

These days, post 9-11, everyone should be accepting security measures, not challenging them.

Far from it, especially if said security measures have proven to be ineffective and a waste of time, energy, resources, and money.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

And if your questions lead to answers that support the practice, then support it.

And if they lead to answers that don't support it?

[Ziltoid]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

And if your questions lead to answers that support the practice, then support it.

We could say that, my point was simply to not blindly accept everything sent our way.

[eyeballkid]

Originally Posted by SBassman

I read some but not all of this thread.

These days, post 9-11, everyone should be accepting security measures, not challenging them.

My other comment is - if you are going into a store to Shop, do you really need to bring a significant bag with you? How about a wallet/purse and that's it?

on the "post 9-11" part I couldn't disagree more...
on the rest, I carry a large messenger bag with me everywhere. some days its full, some days nearly empty. what's in it is my business.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by eyeballkid

on the rest, I carry a large messenger bag with me everywhere. some days its full, some days nearly empty. what's in it is my business.

And whether they will let you carry it into the store is their business. If you don't like it, don't shop there.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by SBassman

I read some but not all of this thread.

These days, post 9-11, everyone should be accepting security measures, not challenging them.

My other comment is - if you are going into a store to Shop, do you really need to bring a significant bag with you? How about a wallet/purse and that's it?

Just to bring some folks up to speed, and not specifically directed at you: There are places in the country where people get around a lot by bike, bus, on foot, etc. Even when we drive somewhere, parking can be some distance from our destination. And we have all of our stuff, such as layers of clothing, crap for our kids, electronic devices, etc. This is probably typical in most places where there is decent public transit. In my locale, it is not an uncommon sight for regular people to have backpacks. Plus some freaks, but freaks tend to be harmless.

Retailers seem willing to accommodate this. As I've mentioned above, I walk into stores all the time with my backpack. Yesterday, I got dropped off downtown with the kids. While they were busy with their activity, I had some time to kill, and went off on foot to a bank, a coffee shop, etc. Nobody batted an eye at my backpack. There was no infrastructure or personnel at any shop for dealing with my backpack. I have no idea if any store had a "policy."

It's a pleasant lifestyle, indicative of a culture that is one reason why I want to continue living in Madison. I like it. Some folks are really creeped out by it, and prefer to live elsewhere.

So, that's the status quo. Those who wish to challenge the status quo, for instance by prohibiting backpacks in stores, are the ones whose task is to show that they have thought about the practical consequences.

All of the "what's so hard about" questions seem to be a debate tactic intended to pass off the burden of proof onto the other person.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by fdeck

Just to bring some folks up to speed, and not specifically directed at you: There are places in the country where people get around a lot by bike, bus, on foot, etc. Even when we drive somewhere, parking can be some distance from our destination. And we have all of our stuff, such as layers of clothing, crap for our kids, electronic devices, etc. This is probably typical in most places where there is decent public transit. In my locale, it is not an uncommon sight for regular people to have backpacks. Plus some freaks, but freaks tend to be harmless.

Retailers seem willing to accommodate this. As I've mentioned above, I walk into stores all the time with my backpack. Yesterday, I got dropped off downtown with the kids. While they were busy with their activity, I had some time to kill, and went off on foot to a bank, a coffee shop, etc. Nobody batted an eye at my backpack. There was no infrastructure or personnel at any shop for dealing with my backpack. I have no idea if any store had a "policy."

So, that's the status quo. Those who wish to challenge the status quo, for instance by prohibiting backpacks in stores, are the ones whose task is to show that they have thought about the practical consequences.

All of the "what's so hard about" questions seem to be a debate tactic intended to pass off the burden of proof onto the other person.

Exactly. To be honest, areas around Knox that have a lot of walking traffic tend to be very cool and laid back about this sort of thing and wouldn't dare ask to look in someone's bag unless it was absolutely necessary. Not to mention that schools tend to be pretty cool with people walking around with backpacks on a more than regular basis

[fdeck]

I wonder if this entire debate boils down to a matter of different cultures.

[MarthaSamira]

Originally Posted by SBassman

These days, post 9-11, everyone should be accepting security measures, not challenging them.

Oh boy...

I bet you'll say the same thing if they start a 6pm curfew in your town or if they keep you under arrest for 15 years without a fair trial...

[AmpedSilence]

Originally Posted by fdeck

I wonder if this entire debate boils down to a matter of different cultures.

Please, elaborate...

[Relic]

Guys....is this really worth 15 pages of back-and-forth over what someone(s) feel about checking bags? Geeezus It's not that big a deal.
Look at it this way -we all have different perspectives, different life experiences, and therefore are going to look at a given situation differently. What's the goal behind trying to pound someone else into "compliance"? Just accept that someone may feel different. No harm in that...dayum..

[LarryO]

What color was the backpack?

[Pacman]

Yeah, this one's been played out for a while.