Two young girls give nazi salute during World War II
Some Simple (& Not So Simple) Acts of Protest

“YOUR PAPERS PLEASE…!”

594 Comments
Compliance Is Not An Option

On an early morning in mid-March 2013, a middle-aged man of character and fair standing in his community, free from warrant or criminal history, walked into his local Walmart store in Western Colorado and attempted to purchase a resident fishing license at the sporting goods counter. His honest and best efforts were categorically denied, with prejudice. In case of criminal liability you can also seek the help of criminal justice lawyers practicing in Mesa to sort out any kind of criminal issues.

It just so happens that I have direct knowledge of this unfortunate yet otherwise insignificant event, and I can attest to the fact that the man was deeply disturbed by such a troubling outcome.

He was told that said purchase was denied because he failed to present upon demand the necessary documentation needed to prove his state residency beyond any shadow of doubt, and the proceedings stopped right there. This determination came as a great surprise, as the man had purchased a Colorado resident hunting or fishing license of one kind or another each and every year since escaping the all too restrictive confines of the east coast in 1976.

I can assure you that the refusal of service and accommodation by the vendor was taken quite seriously by said confused citizen, and the deal did not go down without discussion and argument. It did not help this agitated individual to know that he would soon miss his carpool connection, and that he would have to drive a second vehicle by himself for two hours as a result. He would undoubtedly miss the early bite too.

For him it was no small matter, and it left him shaken and angry beyond simple proportion. Of that I am quite certain, and as you may have guessed by now, I possess such first hand and intimate knowledge of it all because it happened to me. I can tell you what I know.

My issues began when I attempted to purchase an annual fishing license at another agent one week earlier and suddenly realized that I had never purchased a fishing license in 2012. I would have known about this change in licensing if I had been following the blog of thecoastalside.com which provides all the latest updates and information on fishing, but I wasn’t.

This is no big deal of course, but I had forgotten that a few years ago the State of Colorado had adopted a “season year” fishing license, which was valid from April 1 to March 31. This is different than the more traditional “calendar year” license of old, which renews on January 1st of every year.

At that point I opted to buy a one day fishing license, because it did not make sense to pay full price for an annual license that would be valid for only three weeks.

I had no problem purchasing my one day fishing license, which is to be expected, because it is not supposed to be difficult to purchase a hunting or fishing license in Colorado.

After all, a complete representation of my personal information and recreational histories are already stored in the “central computer”, as the state developed a Total Licensing System years ago. It already knows my Driver’s License Number, my Social Security Number, my height and weight and eye color, my current and past addresses, and all of my license purchases throughout the years. Who knows what else it knows, and who it shares it with?

I just know that I was always told that the computerized system was designed to make everything more streamlined and carefree for us mere mortals of the public domains.

So why then, the problem, which is exactly what I wanted to know?

I had not planned to fish again until April 1st or after, so when my friends asked me to fish on short notice I decided to purchase an additional fishing day. The Walmart store was on my way.

I presented for inspections a current and valid Commercial Drivers License, which is not easy to acquire by the way, complete with photograph, background check using CRB Direct, and current medical clearances. In addition I also provided the one day fishing license that I had purchased the week before, my elk license from last fall, and a Colorado Hunter Safety card issued in 2006. I freely admit that I was not prepared for an interrogation, and that I did not carry a satchel full of identity papers to prove my validity.

I simply wanted to add an additional fishing day to a one day fishing license, and I was willing to pay. My driver’s license and photo ID confirmed my identity. My one week old fishing license provided evidence that I had supplied the necessary residency documentation at the time of that purchase. It should have been enough. In fact, it was more than enough to satisfy all legal requirements.

But it was not so in the vendor’s eyes. As it happens, my driver’s license had been reissued five months before, and listed only the reissue date. This seemed to cause insurmountable roadblocks. Colorado requires that you live in the state for at least six months to qualify for residency, and the sales clerk took one look at that…and stopped all proceedings. He flat-out refused to continue with all the conviction of a loyal and dedicated foot soldier.

I have some knowledge of the inner workings of the licensing system. I explained to him what I knew, and that all of my paperwork when added together was reason for him to attempt to issue a license. After all, the necessary information was readily accessible on the fully integrated licensing terminal hovering just outside his reach.

He simply refused, citing policy and procedure while staring intently at a handout sheet, and literally threw up his hands before heading for the back room to search for reinforcements.

A couple of clueless sales clerks, a department manager and one store manager later, I was resolutely denied service and emphatically asked to leave the premises. For the record, I must acknowledge that over the years I have been thrown out of places with much more inspiring views and tasteful decor. But that is a story for another time.

I just wanted to go ice fishing. I wanted to escape the data control grid for just a few hours and feel the fresh air on my face in a desire to remember why I moved to the west in the first place. I wanted to hook up with a primal and pulsating creature, drawn from the depths of another world held far beyond the grasp of the social engineers and the prying, electronic eyes and ears of a robotic spy drone. I wanted to pretend for a brief time that I was a free man in a free state doing what I do best and enjoy the most, without some lingering and disturbing aftertaste of heavy-handed experience hanging on my breath. Is that too much to ask?

What does one do when faced with such a circumstance?

Well, I chose to take the matter to a higher authority, and in this case that was the licensing division of Colorado Game, Fish, And Parks. I had no doubt that they would like to comment on the heart of the matter, and indeed they did. They were quite happy to provide some guidance in this regard.

Vendors who wish to sell hunting and fishing licenses in their retail outlet can apply for and become license agents. They then become official representatives of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and they have a duty to provide courteous and efficient service as their agent. It also means that they need to know the licensing laws and regulations far better than you or I, and how to apply them correctly and fairly. Failure to do so can have serious consequences.

Public complaint can trigger a letter of disciplinary action from Colorado Parks, and contribute to a “three strikes” rule. The vendor can be required to attend classes on the proper procedures and protocols of licensing and agency, and to properly retrain all staff. If the abuses continue, the agent’s agreement can be revoked and their ability to sell hunting and fishing licenses discontinued. To get the right fishing technique, it is best to check out Jimmy John Shark!

I have filed a formal complaint through appropriate channels. It would appear that some of Walmart’s staff at this particular store will be “reeducated” on my behalf before the storyline of our little encounter has ended.

It is comforting to know that a private citizen has some ability to effect change, and possibly prevent someone else from suffering the same humiliations and indignities from fools such as these. Still, I have some concerns.

Once accepted, a first time license application creates a “lifetime” customer identification number, and hence a customer record, or “profile”. I had always been under the impression that this electronic database and total licensing system was supposed to make it easier for me to purchase a license, without having to continuously provide documentation over and over again at every turn. I can only wonder who this system is really designed to help, because apparently it has not been put in place to help me. If it was, it does not seem to be working as promised.

One eventual truth with centralized and technocratic systems is that they are eventually turned and used as a weapon by people who do not have your best interests in mind. They inevitably become jury, judge, and executioner, and they can never seem to forgo the opportunity to play god with the imperious flick of a wrist.

I refuse to be treated like a common criminal and dismissed like useless chattel by sales clerks who have failed to demonstrate the respect required to master some of the basic communication skills of the english language, particularly those who work for the ultimate purveyor of cheap plastic and Chinese slave goods. I will not let them use the color of law to ruin my day without returning the favor in full.

At the very least, I have a small but focused voice, and I will use it. I am also quite capable of managing a hair-raising scream or two when the occasion calls for it.

Impose your will unjustly, and you may gain my full attention. Make it personal, and you will know that I have been there.

For now, I stand horrified in the knowledge that the information miners and the privacy thieves have penetrated so far into the remote and protected corners of my everyday life. I am left to gauge the parameters of the nightmarish, Orwellian uber-reality in which I have been fully imprisoned. You may witness me there, restlessly casting about for some remnants of my peace of mind, hot on the scent of my lost country. I pray that I can occasionally find it in the unspoiled wilds at the edges of our memory.

No doubt it only gets worse from here.

God’s Own Fisherman

 

Michael Patrick McCarty

“…with liberty and justice for all”.

 

594 thoughts on ““YOUR PAPERS PLEASE…!””

  3. Thanks for the points you have shared here. Another thing I would like to talk about is that personal computer memory demands generally increase along with other breakthroughs in the technological innovation. For instance, when new generations of cpus are made in the market, there is certainly usually a corresponding increase in the shape preferences of both computer system memory plus hard drive space. This is because the software program operated by these processor chips will inevitably boost in power to take advantage of the new know-how.

    Reply

  8. online apotheke deutschland [url=https://mannerkraft.shop/#]diskrete lieferung von potenzmitteln[/url] gГјnstige online apotheke

    Reply

  12. gГјnstigste online apotheke [url=https://blaukraftde.com/#]sildenafil tabletten online bestellen[/url] online apotheke rezept

    Reply

  15. online apotheke rezept [url=http://potenzapothekede.com/#]rezeptfreie medikamente fur erektionsstorungen[/url] tadalafil erfahrungen deutschland

    Reply

  21. Out of my notice, shopping for gadgets online may be easily expensive, nonetheless there are some tips and tricks that you can use to obtain the best bargains. There are always ways to uncover discount bargains that could make one to possess the best electronic devices products at the cheapest prices. Interesting blog post.

    Reply

  25. online apotheke gГјnstig [url=https://gesunddirekt24.shop/#]apotheke ohne wartezeit und arztbesuch[/url] online apotheke deutschland

    Reply

  29. Viagra online kaufen legal in Deutschland [url=http://intimgesund.com/#]potenzmittel diskret bestellen[/url] generisches sildenafil alternative

    Reply

  38. SaludFrontera [url=http://saludfrontera.com/#]SaludFrontera[/url] mexican pharmacies that ship to the united states

    Reply

  51. TrueNorth Pharm [url=https://truenorthpharm.shop/#]canadian pharmacy 1 internet online drugstore[/url] TrueNorth Pharm

    Reply

  66. confidential delivery pharmacy UK [url=https://mediquickuk.com/#]generic and branded medications UK[/url] MediQuickUK

    Reply

  68. order viagra online safely UK [url=https://bluepilluk.shop/#]viagra online UK no prescription[/url] viagra discreet delivery UK

    Reply

  71. stromectol pills home delivery UK [url=https://meditrustuk.com/#]ivermectin tablets UK online pharmacy[/url] safe ivermectin pharmacy UK

    Reply

  78. ivermectin without prescription UK [url=http://meditrustuk.com/#]generic stromectol UK delivery[/url] trusted online pharmacy ivermectin UK

    Reply

  82. safe ivermectin pharmacy UK [url=https://meditrustuk.com/#]ivermectin without prescription UK[/url] ivermectin without prescription UK

    Reply

  87. weekend pill UK online pharmacy [url=https://intimacareuk.shop/#]weekend pill UK online pharmacy[/url] IntimaCare UK

    Reply

  92. discreet ivermectin shipping UK [url=https://meditrustuk.com/#]stromectol pills home delivery UK[/url] discreet ivermectin shipping UK

    Reply

  105. canadian no prescription pharmacy cialis [url=https://evergreenrxusas.shop/#]EverGreenRx USA[/url] EverGreenRx USA

    Reply

  118. inatogel 4D [url=https://linklist.bio/inatogelbrand#]Daftar InaTogel Login Link Alternatif Terbaru[/url] Login Alternatif Togel

    Reply

  137. PharmaExpress [url=https://pharmaexpressfrance.com/#]п»їpharmacie en ligne france[/url] Pharmacie en ligne livraison Europe

    Reply

  143. cialis original et generique livraison rapide [url=http://intimapharmafrance.com/#]IntimaPharma France[/url] pharmacie en ligne france fiable

    Reply

  147. pharmacie en ligne pas cher [url=http://pharmaexpressfrance.com/#]medicaments generiques et originaux France[/url] acheter mГ©dicament en ligne sans ordonnance

    Reply

  151. pharmacie en ligne france [url=http://pharmaexpressfrance.com/#]PharmaExpress[/url] trouver un mГ©dicament en pharmacie

    Reply

  154. kamagra 100 mg prix competitif en ligne [url=https://pharmalibrefrance.shop/#]kamagra oral jelly[/url] kamagra gel oral livraison discrete France

    Reply

  172. buy antibiotics [url=https://clearmedspharm.shop/#]cheap antibiotics[/url] buy antibiotics for tooth infection

    Reply

  183. giri gratis Book of Ra Deluxe [url=https://1wbook.shop/#]Book of Ra Deluxe slot online Italia[/url] Book of Ra Deluxe soldi veri

    Reply

  189. bonaslot link resmi mudah diakses [url=http://1wbona.com/#]bonaslot link resmi mudah diakses[/url] bonaslot kasino online terpercaya

    Reply

  194. jackpot e vincite su Starburst Italia [url=https://1wstarburst.shop/#]Starburst giri gratis senza deposito[/url] casino online sicuri con Starburst

    Reply

  197. slot gacor hari ini preman69 [url=http://1win69.com/#]promosi dan bonus harian preman69[/url] preman69 situs judi online 24 jam

    Reply

  202. recensioni Book of Ra Deluxe slot [url=https://1wbook.shop/#]Book of Ra Deluxe soldi veri[/url] giri gratis Book of Ra Deluxe

    Reply

  205. bonaslot link resmi mudah diakses [url=http://1wbona.com/#]bonaslot kasino online terpercaya[/url] 1wbona

    Reply

  210. giocare a Starburst gratis senza registrazione [url=http://1wstarburst.com/#]jackpot e vincite su Starburst Italia[/url] bonus di benvenuto per Starburst

    Reply

  213. BorderMeds Express [url=http://bordermedsexpress.com/#]BorderMeds Express[/url] buy meds from mexican pharmacy

    Reply

  228. BorderMeds Express [url=https://bordermedsexpress.com/#]BorderMeds Express[/url] order from mexican pharmacy online

    Reply

  236. online pharmacy percocet 30 mg [url=https://maplemedsdirect.com/#]MapleMeds Direct[/url] MapleMeds Direct

    Reply

  251. BharatMeds Direct [url=https://bharatmedsdirect.com/#]indian pharmacies safe[/url] top online pharmacy india

    Reply

  255. migliori farmacie online 2024 [url=https://forzaintima.com/#]Forza Intima[/url] Farmacia online piГ№ conveniente

    Reply

  259. farmacia online piГ№ conveniente [url=http://pillolesubito.com/#]acquisto discreto di medicinali in Italia[/url] farmaci senza ricetta elenco

    Reply

  263. farmacia online senza ricetta [url=https://pillolesubito.shop/#]medicinali senza prescrizione medica[/url] Farmacie online sicure

    Reply

  267. gel per erezione in farmacia [url=http://potenzafacile.com/#]viagra online Italia[/url] siti sicuri per comprare viagra online

    Reply

  272. farmacia online [url=http://farmacidiretti.com/#]Farmaci Diretti[/url] comprare farmaci online con ricetta

    Reply

  276. how to get cheap clomid for sale [url=https://ferticareonline.com/#]FertiCare Online[/url] how to buy generic clomid

    Reply

  298. cost of prednisone 5mg tablets [url=https://steroidcarepharmacy.com/#]can you buy prednisone without a prescription[/url] SteroidCare Pharmacy

    Reply

  303. Tadalify [url=http://tadalify.com/#]where can i buy cialis online in australia[/url] tadalafil professional review

    Reply

  312. Kamagra oral jelly USA availability [url=https://kamameds.shop/#]Compare Kamagra with branded alternatives[/url] Sildenafil oral jelly fast absorption effect

    Reply

  333. walgreen cialis price [url=https://tadalify.shop/#]buy cialis with dapoxetine in canada[/url] buy cialis/canada

    Reply

  353. Tadalify [url=https://tadalify.shop/#]Tadalify[/url] para que sirve las tabletas cialis tadalafil de 5mg

    Reply

  368. SildenaPeak [url=https://sildenapeak.shop/#]generic viagra online pharmacy india[/url] generic viagra sildenafil 100mg

    Reply

  381. Mexican Pharmacy Hub [url=https://mexicanpharmacyhub.shop/#]Mexican Pharmacy Hub[/url] Mexican Pharmacy Hub

    Reply

  405. Indian Meds One [url=http://indianmedsone.com/#]indian pharmacy online[/url] mail order pharmacy india

    Reply

  417. safe mexican online pharmacy [url=https://mexicanpharmacyhub.com/#]buy antibiotics over the counter in mexico[/url] buy viagra from mexican pharmacy

    Reply

  422. Online gambling platform Jollibet [url=https://1winphili.company/#]Online betting Philippines[/url] Jollibet online sabong

    Reply

  440. Slot gacor hari ini [url=https://mandiwinindo.site/#]Situs judi resmi berlisensi[/url] Situs judi resmi berlisensi

    Reply

  459. Slot oyunlar? Pinco-da [url=https://pinwinaz.pro/#]Uduslar? tez c?xar Pinco il?[/url] Uduslar? tez c?xar Pinco il?

    Reply

  475. AsthmaFree Pharmacy [url=http://glucosmartrx.com/#]rybelsus prediabetes[/url] semaglutide compounding

    Reply

  482. ivermectin 0.5 lotion [url=http://ivercarepharmacy.com/#]does oral ivermectin kill demodex mites[/url] stromectol sales

    Reply

  486. edenbridge pharmaceuticals ivermectin [url=https://ivercarepharmacy.com/#]IverCare Pharmacy[/url] does ivermectin kill lyme disease

    Reply

  489. safe online source for Tizanidine [url=https://relaxmedsusa.shop/#]cheap muscle relaxer online USA[/url] cheap muscle relaxer online USA

    Reply

  493. AsthmaFree Pharmacy [url=http://asthmafreepharmacy.com/#]buy cheap ventolin[/url] AsthmaFree Pharmacy

    Reply

  496. order Tizanidine without prescription [url=https://relaxmedsusa.com/#]Zanaflex medication fast delivery[/url] RelaxMeds USA

    Reply

  499. ventolin tablets [url=https://asthmafreepharmacy.com/#]order ventolin online uk[/url] AsthmaFree Pharmacy

    Reply

  502. AsthmaFree Pharmacy [url=https://asthmafreepharmacy.com/#]AsthmaFree Pharmacy[/url] ventolin canadian pharmacy

    Reply

  506. Tizanidine tablets shipped to USA [url=https://relaxmedsusa.shop/#]RelaxMeds USA[/url] Tizanidine 2mg 4mg tablets for sale

    Reply

  508. prescription-free muscle relaxants [url=http://relaxmedsusa.com/#]relief from muscle spasms online[/url] buy Zanaflex online USA

    Reply

  512. generic ventolin inhaler [url=https://asthmafreepharmacy.shop/#]AsthmaFree Pharmacy[/url] cheap ventolin generic usa

    Reply

  515. You could certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.

    Reply

  518. cheapest ventolin online uk [url=http://asthmafreepharmacy.com/#]cost of ventolin[/url] cheap ventolin generic usa

    Reply

  525. Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! By the way, how could we communicate?

    Reply

  535. indian pharmacies safe [url=https://indigenixpharm.shop/#]buy medicines online in india[/url] online shopping pharmacy india

    Reply

  542. cheapest online pharmacy india [url=https://indigenixpharm.com/#]IndiGenix Pharmacy[/url] IndiGenix Pharmacy

    Reply

  551. top 10 pharmacies in india [url=http://indigenixpharm.com/#]IndiGenix Pharmacy[/url] IndiGenix Pharmacy

    Reply

  555. MexiCare Rx Hub [url=https://mexicarerxhub.shop/#]MexiCare Rx Hub[/url] amoxicillin mexico online pharmacy

    Reply

  561. MexiCare Rx Hub [url=https://mexicarerxhub.com/#]real mexican pharmacy USA shipping[/url] MexiCare Rx Hub

    Reply

  590. canadian drug [url=https://canadrxnexus.com/#]global pharmacy canada[/url] northwest pharmacy canada

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *