It sounds like a demented Jeff Foxworthy comedy routine: “If you’re driving around town with an almanac… you might be a terrorist.”
But the FBI isn’t kidding: if you’re stopped by a cop who notices an almanac in your car, you could be on your way to assist the police with some enquiries. They say that almanacs contain information about various cities and landmarks, along with photographs and maps. Horrors!
Would this be a good time to point out that the highest-ranked almanac in Google Directory’s list of almanacs is offered by a secretive organization implicated in violent plots around the world?
UPDATE: yes, it’s a duplicate — I *swear* a search for “almanac” failed to turn up the SMC/Blake article!
Update: 12/30 14:42 EST by B:The LISNews search engine is less than useful most of the time, but Ben’s post was better than mine so I’m inclined to let it be. That should not stop anyone from making fun of Ben for missing the first one 😉
The Original post has some comments worth reading. There’s been about a million new stories published with some interesting titles:
“People with almanacs may be terrorists, FBI says”
“The Osama Farmer’s Almanac”
“Read alert as US lists books as terrorist tools”
“Beware of terrorists with almanacs”
and “Armed with an almanac? The FBI has its eye on you”
Reactions from Almanac Vendors – Chilling Effect?
A few reactions from the Almanac vendors seem to be worth mentioning.
World Almanac Press Release http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031230/nytu056_1.html
“NEW YORK, Dec. 30 /PRNewswire/ — The World Almanac and Book Of Facts fully supports and endorses all efforts of the FBI, and all government agencies, in thwarting illegal activities including terrorism. With over 80 million copies sold in its illustrious history, which spans more than 130 years, The World Almanac is proud of its place in the publishing arena. It is the sincere hope of everyone associated with The World Almanac and Book Of Facts that our product is used only for the purposes that it is intended — research, learning, education and fun.”
Old Farmer’s Alamanac Publisher, quoted at CentreDaily.com
“John Pierce, publisher for The Old Farmers Almanac, said, “While we doubt that our editorial content would be of particular interest to people who would wish to do us harm, we will certainly cooperate to the fullest with national authorities at any level they deem appropriate.””
Full Story, “Homeland security warning puzzles almanac publishers” may be read at http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/75 94643.htm
WHILE NOTHING I’VE READ suggests that the FBI will take up World Almanac, et al on their offers of cooperation, this “We support ABSOLUTELY everything you MIGHT want to do” attitude worries me. It would have worried James Madison too.
NPR had a story about this today
“FBI Warns of Potential Almanac Terror Link”
Here’s the story link which has a Realaudio link on it.