The rent-a-cops were out at the 'checkpoint' in August of 2003 when I approached the Hoover Dam from the south. I slowed down and ignored their stop sign once I noticed they were armed only with nightsticks.

They ran after my car (I was driving at 5mph) and shouted for me to stop. I did, letting them catch up with me.

"Why didn't you stop!", asked the older, fatter one.

"Because it's a public road", I replied.

"You -have- to stop when we order you to. Let me see some ID", bleated the second security guard.

"Look", said I, "I'm an American driving in America on a public road; and unless I'm driving through the village of Wackenhut, you have zero power to stop anyone. Go ^&*( yourselves, rent-a-cops."

I then drove away, enjoying the majestic views the Hoover Dam offers on my way to Las Vegas.