If you see something, just be quiet.

A guy was unloading some equipment for an after school class in martial arts at a Beaverton elementary school this afternoon. A parent saw him carrying a long bag that looked like it could contain a gun, so she dialed 911. Two minutes later an eight man SWAT team showed up with shields and M-16's. Hoo boy! Excitement! Situation resolved peacefully, nobody got shot. Parent could have just asked someone, but no, better be safe than sorry.

Sad state of affairs. Anybody could be carrying a gun and enough ammunition to wipe out an entire class of kindergartners. Women with big purses are especially suspect. There isn't enough security in the world to prevent a determined maniac from wreaking havoc. If we are going to have an open society, we are going to have to accept certain risks.

If you see something, speak to the person you suspect. It might get you shot, but at least everyone else will have some warning that something wicked is coming their way. Calling out the coppers every time you see a woman with a big purse only raises the odds that someone will get shot for no reason at all, other than you thought the sky was falling.