This morning I took Bonzi to the local Gas-N-Go (crazy over the price) to get a sip and was approched by several Men in Black. There were two large black Surburbans all blacked out and a 4 door Ford truck all blacked out with a very large black box on the back with antennas and a dish on top, all had "U S Gov." tags I knew right off who they were and what they were doing there, but went about my business not wanting to start 'anything'.

One of them came up to me and asked if I wanted to trade him straight up for the Ford truck. I said "Sure, but just for the day." He was very surprised by my answer and then proceded to back out of the deal as "His Boss" may not approve of the deal. We both had a good chuckle then another MIB came over and said he had a B-210 a long time ago that his cousin blew up, he loved that car. Then another MIB came over and said he hasn't seen one of these (240Z) in years and mine was a real gem, I thanked him for the compliment. Then another MIB came over and asked all kinds of questions about how long it took to get this way, parts availability, what kind of engine, four speed or five, whats the color name, all kinds of car questions, answered truthfully and with a smile. They were still filling when I left, but left with a heavy right foot and screeched it in second to get a little tire chirp. That really made my day, and hopefully theirs.

They were on their way to Greensburg, KS to prepare for President Bush's visit. I then drove by our school parking lot only to see another fifteen or so more "black" Sruburbans and trucks waiting on the others.

Not very often does one get questioned by the Secret Service and walk away unscathed.

Bonzi Lon

Crazy story! What was your initial reaction when they started to question you?

I knew I did nothing wrong, they were real freindly and "car guys". The shades were a little much, but it was sunny out.

Bonzi Lon

Man, even if I did nothing wrong I'd still be like WTF? if I got questioned by those guys. Pretty cool though, now you can say you went through a SS interogation and lived to tell about it.

Should be no problem, Ray. After all, they're from the government and "they're here to help you."

Frank

Good thing you left before the MIB took out that little flashy thing, otherwise you woudn't remember any of this. LOLLOLLOL

Did you get to meet Alex Trebeck and Jesse the body Ventura too??

That's quite the story!

When I was in college - circa 1965/67 - one of my roommates (4 to 6 of us shared an apartment)... owned some back Federal Income Taxes... and was scheduled for a meeting with an IRS Agent.. to arrange payments.

When he was there - he was so pissed off - that he said something to the effect that - President Johnson (was it?) should be shot for wasting our money......I don't know what the exact words were, but following Federal Law, the IRS Agent was obligated to notify the SS that a threat to the President had been made and by who.

Within a few weeks - I had SS Agents at the apartment asking all manor of personal questions about our roommate. They knew everything, I mean everything about him... from Gradeschool records, and interviews with teachers, to a parking ticket he received in another State five years earlier. It was amazing to say the least.... all of us were thinking "Big Brother", good grief - is this Germany circa 1938?.... you can't say anything without it being reported....

It turned out that my roommate was picked up - taken to a local SS office and questioned extensively.. once the SS felt that he really wasn't a "threat".. just a dumb arse for saying anything to a Federal Employee.. they let him go. Seems that President Johnson was scheduled to make a stop and speech at Port Columbus International Air Port a couple weeks later - - - and the SS has to check, investigate, review any and all potential threats in the area. They said they had over 300 people like my roommate to check out in the area....

The security surrounding a President is simply insane - at a cost to the American Taxpayer of BILLIONS of dollars annually. It is paranoia carried to an extreme... George Washington would be rolling over in his grave.. Certainly the security of our Presidents is very important... but the reach and extent of the fanatic effort at this point is simply out of control - and far beyond what any reasonable person would consider to be justified....

Just my experience and opinion...

Carl B.

Germany .... 1938 ..... SS. Hmmmm - we have ways to make you talk.

Good story.

Carl Beck's story is EXACTYALY why I didn't want to say anything or ask any questions of them. I'm old enough to have read, seen or rememberd others that have opened their mouth saying the wrong things at the wrong time that got them in a heap-o-trouble. And now days they are a "little" bit pickier than in Carl's story and I was only 60 miles away and 4 hours from the fly-over. However, they started it and I made sure the conversation was related to my car. I really wanted to know and see what was in that "black box" though.

Bonzi Lon

Good thing you left before the MIB took out that little flashy thing, otherwise you woudn't remember any of this. LOLLOLLOL

How do we know that they didn't usee the "little flashy thing?" Perhaps Lon only remembers what they want him to remember.