I do not believe people should be allowed to impersonate federal law enforcement officers online. Do I think anyone is doing this? I don't know, but I would like to find out.

Is it ok if I tell you I've just replaced Dick Cheney?

And in many jurisdictions, it's illegal to impersonate a lawyer. If you're going to hold others a standard, I think you need to put yourself to that standard as well.

Mike

No problem.

Okay, we want F/T to check the credentials of members claiming to be LEOs -- now what?

How about those claiming to be lawyers or doctors? After all, you can get in a lot of trouble if you follow the advice of a faker here, too.

For that matter, you had better worry about plumbers, electricians, auto mechanics, and pest exterminators.

On a different level, what if a Catholic is misled about his religion by someone who says he is a priest? Or a Jew by a person claiming to be a rabbi? Or a Protestant who believes the inaccurate teachings of a self-proclaimed minister?

With over 100,000 F/Ters, the House of Miles is going to be kept very busy double-checking everybody's profession.

(Randy, can I just send a GIF attachment showing my press card issued by the State of Israel Government Press Office or do you need it sent by fax?)

I'm thinking you should send a notarized copy. I can help!

Ahhh - I'm in the UK, where the notary system isn't available. Does that mean I can't be verified And I'm about to change job () - do I need to be reverified?

But you don't mind if they say they are RCMP? Or the Met? Or Carabinieri?

I'm with those that think life is too short, in case you haven't guessed

Considering that TSA employees are not federal law emforcement officers and air marshalls are really little more than rent-cops with guns, why do you give a rat's arse what they proclaim???

I'm sure there are some nice Scottish FT boys who would be interested in that task.

I was told that the original "air marshals" were accidental, in that federal law enforcement laboratory personnel used to have badges and carried guns on planes while they transported evidence to trials they were attending. That priveldge was later withddrawn when one of them overstepped his authority and did a traffic stop, flashing his badge, and was reported. But that was many years before I was in the system (and more since I left).

Steve

I like the scene in True Lies when Simon (the used car salesman) is feeding Helen (Arnold's wife, who doesn't know her husband is a "secret agent") the line that he is a secret agent in the CIA, running from "the bad guys", and she swallows it whole.

If you are that gullible, you kinda deserve at least some of what coming.

Pretending to be somebody else should only be allowed on Halloween.

Is this any different than the questionable stories (i.e., tall tales) told by some passenger sitting in the seat next to us on a flight? If not, then I'll let judgment be the guide here too.

The big difference is that some FT members have written on their profiles the name of a government agency that shows up every time they post anything.

I have yet to read anyone here write a justification for this.

As opposed to "TSA Disparager" and the like?