Read this article (from ABC) or this article (from the New Haven Registrar) about some people who put down a running path in a parking lot using chalk and flour only to be indicted of a bioterrorism scare in New Haven Connecticut.

Here is my response:


1. Why would terrorists attack an IKEA in Connecticut? I dont remember any terrorist groups expressing anger towards any cheap furniture stores in New Haven. I dont think IKEA in New Haven is as important as a World Trade Center.

2. If they decided to actually attack the IKEA, why would they do it in plain sight in the middle of the day? I would probably do it either late at night, or drop stuff from hole in the bottom of a nondescript car (aka. Honda Accord)

3. Why would you be scared of some powder on the ground? Where I live there is everything from truck tires to syringes to baby shoes strewn about all over the place. (yes its pretty dirty in Philly, especially when there are no garbage cans)

4. When you finally realized you were way out of line and made such an idiotic mistake as thinking chalk and powder on the ground was a terrorist act (or worse – what is worse?), why would you then want restitution from the people who put the powder down? They didnt do anything wrong – the city mistakenly accused them. I think the city should apologize to its citizens for going so far overboard. What if some kids write in chalk outside of my house, do I then call the FBI saying that its a terrorist hop scotch attack?

If someone had a huge explosive device parked outside of a train station or a government building, then I can see a reason for this kind of reaction… but not over flour and chalk on the ground. I think the group who put down the flour/chalk should counter-sue for such idiocy.