Pedicabbers,
I have been asked by Greg of Mile high to contribute to this blog based on my experience with blogging and my outlook on the pedicab industry.
For reference, you can check out my other active blog at http://austinpedicab.org. I am trying to keep it more locally focused issues that affect the Austin Texas region. I see Pedicabblog.com as having more of a national or international focus.
One thing that has been missing in the AustinPedicab (Austin), PedicabNews (NYC), and the
PedicabBlog (Denver) is discussion about the differences and or similarities between pedicabbing in different cities and regions.
I'd also like to discuss the social place of the "Western" pedicab driver as compared to that of the "Eastern" pedicab driver.
One interesting tid-bit of recent news on this topic was that a Filipino who had been "posing as a pedicab driver" was arrested under suspension that he is a terrorist.
The group that he is accused of being associated with the Abu Sayyaf group is said to have ties to Al Quieda. He is accused of being involved in the beheading of 10 Filipino Marines.
My questions are these:
- Do disenfranchised, underground economies give cover to extremists?
- Are American pedicab drivers potential terrorists?
5 comments:
Welcome, Cameron! Your interest in discussing the differences between pedicabbing in various cities and regions is exactly why we've invited bloggers from around the country to join us in this little venture. We're glad to have you with us!
My answer to question #1 is yes. Question #2 would be no. Odd characters as you described will have a hard time getting rides. The real world is not like to movies. Any responsible owner would figure out what these culprits are up to, and not lease/rent them a vehicle...IMO
Gike,
Thanks for answering my tounge and cheek questions.
I am sure that you are right that pedicab companies would not let a kook ride for them once their kookiness is known.
I did a google news search on the name " Aramil Sulayman" (the so-called pedicabber terrorist) but it did not turn up much new.
On thing funny though was that rebel group he was supposedly involved with is said to have carried out their attack in cooperation with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels.
So what is this guy now a MILF?
There is a couple of ways to look at this. Underground economies yes, but that has always been true. I hope us pedicabbies are not a disenfranchised underground economy. Hard to make a living from the public that way. Maybe different group of people drive pedicabs. One thing for sure, to make it as a good driver you have to be personable, friendly and always talking. Terrorists don't seem to fit that profile. Posing as a pedicab driver. Hmmm, makes me think about some who have tried to do this and didn't make it.
I'm going to approach the question of pedicabber terrorists from a little different perspective.
First, to assume that a terrorist who wants to come off as a legit pedicab driver would rent a cab from an existing company is a huge leap. In many cities, especially those without regulation, it would be easy to bring in a pedicab and blend into the community. Remember, several of the 9/11 terrorists lived in their communities as ordinary citizens for months before the attack.
Personally, I think it would be pretty easy for a suicide bomber to use a pedicab. Shit, if they can get through with explosives strapped to their bodies, why not stuffed in a pedicab?
Second, to assume that any one of us would recognize a terrorist is naive. What does a terrorist look like? What does a terrorist act like? Criminals, including terrorists, aren't just uneducated loser scumbags that no one would ever associate with. Many are well-educated and well-spoken with families and friends. Have you ever heard of Ted Bundy, the charming guy-next-door serial killer? How 'bout Tim McVeigh?
We'd like to think we're smarter than we really are. That somehow we'd figure it out. We'd see through the deception. We'd recognize the evil-doer and save the world. Maybe you're that smart, but I'm not so sure I am. When a driver can occasionally sweet talk me, then turn around and cheat me out of rent, I have to admit that a determined terrorist might be able to pull the wool over my eyes too.
It sucks, but it's true.
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