Principia Discordia

Principia Discordia => Aneristic Illusions => Topic started by: East Coast Hustle on May 06, 2011, 06:49:08 PM

Title: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: East Coast Hustle on May 06, 2011, 06:49:08 PM
And sometimes you really ARE being watched, and sometimes they really ARE out to get you.

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/the-long-con/Content?oid=7989613

QuoteBecause this story has to start somewhere, let's begin on any given night in early 2009. It's probably drizzling, and a cluster of people is standing outside the wooden apartment building on the corner of 11th Avenue and Pike Street, the one with motel-style exterior hallways and severely chipped paint. A lightbulb above one door is glowing green, a signal that visitors are welcome. When the lightbulb glows yellow, visitors are supposed to come back later. When the lightbulb glows red, they are supposed to keep away.

Sometimes when visitors enter the apartment, they're asked to hand over any weapons they might be carrying—hardly anybody ever is—and sometimes there's a cursory pat-down. Inside the apartment are a lot of artists, plus a military guy or two on a night away from the base. Some are sitting around a card table playing poker. Others are sitting on couches and chairs, smoking and drinking.

They're all being watched, but only one of them knows it.

There's Mia Brown, in the corner, who is into scuba diving and spends her days working with the homeless. There's Jake, a musician. There's Jimmy the Dwarf, an actor and model who works with a local circus troupe. There's Brady McGarry, who has devoted his free time over the years to political and environmental causes. There's DK Pan, a Butoh dancer, performance artist, and curator. There's Jaybird, a skinny kid in leather quietly trying to peddle small bags of cocaine. There's Thoren Honeycutt, who has a few priors for theft, including theft of a firearm. And there's Rick Wilson—tall, broad-shouldered, wearing a suit. This is Rick's apartment, called Rick's Cafe (un)American during Rick's after-hours parties.

For a time, some members of this crowd threw these after-hours parties at a place called the Cthulhu Building, just three blocks uphill from Rick's. Later, some members of this crowd will throw after-hours parties at a place in Belltown called Cafe Corsair. Attendees often referred to them as speakeasies, although the people running them merely thought of them as private parties in private places. Court documents would later call them "underground illegal gambling enterprises (concurrent with illegal liquor sales)." A lot of people went to these parties—they were big events with bands and burlesque dancers. Guests were encouraged to dress up and usually did. Sometimes it seemed like half the city was there in suits and vintage dresses: artists, activists, politicians, cultural bigwigs, musicians, computer programmers, soldiers, criminals.

A lot of these parties happened because Rick's good friend Bryan T. Owens had money and connections. Not everyone liked Bryan, but because he was Rick's good friend he was often around—drinking Maker's and Coke after-hours, playing poker, telling stories. He had a bald head and a goatee and a blustery bro-dude personality—one of the party regulars described him as a "mini–Fred Durst"—but he was a trust-fund baby and he was generous with his cash.

Shit gets deeply fucked-up from there, and Kiley does a great job of trying to document exactly how many millions of taxpayer dollars and police and FBI man-hours were wasted on this bizarre and discomforting case.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: The Good Reverend Roger on May 06, 2011, 06:54:05 PM
Nothing makes governments more nervous than people having fun in unapproved ways.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: East Coast Hustle on May 06, 2011, 07:01:33 PM
Did you read the entire article? That unapproved fun was set up and funded by the government.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: The Good Reverend Roger on May 06, 2011, 07:12:24 PM
Quote from: Rip City Hustle on May 06, 2011, 07:01:33 PM
Did you read the entire article? That unapproved fun was set up and funded by the government.

No, I didn't, but I'm hardly surprised.  Lemme go take a look.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: LMNO on May 06, 2011, 07:28:46 PM
Long article, but good.  This is totally the kind of thing I'd expect in the W years.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: Adios on May 06, 2011, 07:29:35 PM
Damn.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: The Good Reverend Roger on May 06, 2011, 07:33:25 PM
WOW.

That is some seriously fucked up shit.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: East Coast Hustle on May 06, 2011, 07:54:53 PM
Right?

And people don't understand my deep love of Seattle.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: Jasper on May 06, 2011, 07:56:31 PM
Lovely stuff. 
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: The Good Reverend Roger on May 06, 2011, 08:20:30 PM
Quote from: Rip City Hustle on May 06, 2011, 07:54:53 PM
Right?

And people don't understand my deep love of Seattle.

Tucson, on the other hand, is underfunded, understaffed, and have real crimes to deal with.

I think we actually have the best (though not the most effective) police force in the country.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: Cain on May 06, 2011, 08:24:18 PM
I've only got to the paragraph after where Brady gets bailed out with his rent by Bryan.   Lemme guess: Bryan is an undercover FBI informant/agent provocateur?
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: LMNO on May 06, 2011, 08:27:10 PM
Bingo.

The fucked up part is how long and how much the cops spent on this sting.  Oh, and the level of entrapment.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: The Good Reverend Roger on May 06, 2011, 08:38:30 PM
Hey, guys.

Remember Jackelope?

ETA:  Also, I trust Storebrand as far as I can throw her, for very good reasons.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: LMNO on May 06, 2011, 08:42:04 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 06, 2011, 08:38:30 PM
Hey, guys.

Remember Jackelope?


I don't.  Refresher course?
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: Cain on May 06, 2011, 08:43:42 PM
Jack was posting from what appeared to be an Air Force Base.

I always figure, if the spooks are watching the Quakers and the Rotary Club (and they are), chances are they're watching damn near everyone else.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: The Good Reverend Roger on May 06, 2011, 08:44:24 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD on May 06, 2011, 08:42:04 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 06, 2011, 08:38:30 PM
Hey, guys.

Remember Jackelope?


I don't.  Refresher course?

Guy came on, claiming to be a high school kid, started talking shit about BIP, etc, saying we were "all talk, no action".

Tracked his IP, he was posting from an AFB in California, one tied into the USAF intel group.  Cain might remember more details.

When he realized that we just bullshit here, and wouldn't violate the KYFS rule, he left...Though his IP has been back at least twice.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: LMNO on May 06, 2011, 08:45:21 PM
Interesting...

KYFMS, indeed.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: The Good Reverend Roger on May 06, 2011, 08:45:29 PM
Quote from: Cain on May 06, 2011, 08:43:42 PM
Jack was posting from what appeared to be an Air Force Base.

I always figure, if the spooks are watching the Quakers and the Rotary Club (and they are), chances are they're watching damn near everyone else.

This.  If I were in intel, I would be watching us.  Not because we DO anything, but because we have disgusting minds, and we think of things other people might miss.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: Luna on May 06, 2011, 08:47:24 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 06, 2011, 08:45:29 PM
Quote from: Cain on May 06, 2011, 08:43:42 PM
Jack was posting from what appeared to be an Air Force Base.

I always figure, if the spooks are watching the Quakers and the Rotary Club (and they are), chances are they're watching damn near everyone else.

This.  If I were in intel, I would be watching us.  Not because we DO anything, but because we have disgusting minds, and we think of things other people might miss.

That, and, well, if I could get PAID to sit around and write this shit down, hand it to my boss, and try to keep a straight face, I'd do it.   :lol:
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: LMNO on May 06, 2011, 08:51:59 PM
Status report: February, 2011.

They're trolling each other again.  Again.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: Luna on May 06, 2011, 08:52:48 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD on May 06, 2011, 08:51:59 PM
Status report: February, 2011.

They're trolling each other again.  Again.


:lulz:

Yep.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: The Good Reverend Roger on May 06, 2011, 08:55:58 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD on May 06, 2011, 08:51:59 PM
Status report: February, 2011.

They're trolling each other again.  Again.


LMNO wins PD.   :lulz:
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: BabylonHoruv on May 06, 2011, 09:07:37 PM
Not just the SPD, but the FBI as well.  I think it's clear where the budget needs to be cut.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: Jasper on May 06, 2011, 09:08:28 PM
:potd:

Laughed ass off.  Going to store to buy new ass.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: Freeky on May 06, 2011, 09:08:47 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD on May 06, 2011, 08:51:59 PM
Status report: February, 2011.

They're trolling each other again.  Again.


:lulz: :lulz:  I'd want to see the intel on us.  That'd be so much LAIL!  
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: The Good Reverend Roger on May 06, 2011, 11:02:19 PM
Quote from: Jenkem and Tomahawks on May 06, 2011, 09:08:47 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD on May 06, 2011, 08:51:59 PM
Status report: February, 2011.

They're trolling each other again.  Again.


:lulz: :lulz:  I'd want to see the intel on us.  That'd be so much LAIL!  

"Subject TGRR does not appear to be a threat to national security, but he is an incredible prick.  Disappear him, because he called me a dumbass."
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: Remington on May 07, 2011, 12:07:03 AM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD on May 06, 2011, 08:51:59 PM
Status report: February, 2011.

They're trolling each other again.  Again.

*toothpastescreen*
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: Adios on May 07, 2011, 12:11:24 AM
If I were intel I would watch this place just for the fucking lulz. You guys constantly crack me up.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 07, 2011, 01:03:43 AM
Wow, that was amazing. Not surprising, but amazing.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: Telarus on May 07, 2011, 05:13:49 AM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD on May 06, 2011, 08:51:59 PM
Status report: February, 2011.

They're trolling each other again.  Again.

:lulz:
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: The Wizard on May 07, 2011, 05:34:11 AM
That's fucking wrong. Thing's are pretty bad when the cops are setting up crimes so they can bust them.

How's the War on Terror, fellas?
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: Freeky on May 07, 2011, 06:31:27 AM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on May 06, 2011, 11:02:19 PM
Quote from: Jenkem and Tomahawks on May 06, 2011, 09:08:47 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD on May 06, 2011, 08:51:59 PM
Status report: February, 2011.

They're trolling each other again.  Again.


:lulz: :lulz:  I'd want to see the intel on us.  That'd be so much LAIL!  

"Subject TGRR does not appear to be a threat to national security, but he is an incredible prick.  Disappear him, because he called me a dumbass."

:lulz: :lulz:
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: Don Coyote on May 07, 2011, 06:48:00 AM
So....I should or shouldn't try to get into Army Intel considering my bad habit of logging into PD from government computers?
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: Freeky on May 07, 2011, 06:55:47 AM
Quote from: Canis latrans securis on May 07, 2011, 06:48:00 AM
So....I should or shouldn't try to get into Army Intel considering my bad habit of logging into PD from government computers?

YOU TOTALLY SHOULD.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: Telarus on May 07, 2011, 07:36:18 AM
Use us as a reference.  :lulz:
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on May 08, 2011, 01:50:55 AM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD on May 06, 2011, 08:51:59 PM
Status report: February, 2011.

They're trolling each other again.  Again.


I love the air of quiet desperation this manages to convey.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: Anna Mae Bollocks on May 08, 2011, 02:21:14 AM
Quote from: Dr. James Semaj on May 07, 2011, 05:34:11 AM
That's fucking wrong. Thing's are pretty bad when the cops are setting up crimes so they can bust them.

How's the War on Terror, fellas?
They were doing it with drugs way before that. Ever since entrapment was legalized back in the Gipper years, at least.
"Hey, can you get me some powder?"
"I don't fool with it, I wouldn't know."
*flashes fat bankroll* "C'mon, you're local, you've gotta know somebody..."...till the target says ALRIGHT ALREADY STFU.

This is the same thing. This should've told Brady to run like a scalded cat:
QuoteBryan kept pushing Brady toward more radical "real militant action," asked Brady to teach him how to make Molotov cocktails, and hinted that he wanted to "make explosives" and do some "property damage" at Weyerhaeuser or at CEOs' houses, Brady remembers.
Title: Re: Sometimes, you really ARE at the center of a vast Kafka-esque conspiracy.
Post by: Cardinal Pizza Deliverance. on May 08, 2011, 03:15:28 AM
Wait until they catch up and realize you predicted the Canadian election, Roger. The Feds will be knocking down your door to interrogate you on where you got your info.