Originally Posted by copwriter
It occurs to me that basic civility and courtesy is a significant factor here. Some forum members seem to be motivated not to cooperate with questions from FAMs or other security/law enforcement people simply because they don't have to. Consider how that would impact my dealing with other people if I were to adopt that approach in other human interactions. When a waitress brings coffee to my table, I don't have to say "thank you." I don't have to. Moreover, I don't have to leave her a tip. After all, she gets paid for being there, and she has to bring me the coffee whether I tip her or not. Why should I?
I don't get it. A person interacting with a FAM is not ordering coffee. He's being prevented from going about his business by a person seeking to make him incriminate himself, and without even bothering about the business of articulable suspicion (because until the detainee asks to leave, the police officer or FAM is having a voluntary conversation.) This is not about being defiant, but about protecting oneself. If handing out tootsie pops is suspicious behavior, then how should I know what's going to get me thrown in the Navy brig off South Carolina incommunicado? I might say something that to me seems totally innocent, but in reality lands me in jail. Why should I take the risk?
Especially with the secretive and hysterical mood surrounding anti-terrorism efforts, speaking up sounds like a dumb thing to do. Arrest me or leave me the hell alone is my new motto.