At 03:09 AM 9/25/01 -0400, Randy wrote:

regarded as a whacko, you can be institutionalized, perhaps forever. Try convincing a LEO that a) you're not crazed, and b) you don't have to tell him/her your name. Seeya.

The threshold is a little higher, especially if you're not pushing a cart no where near a grocery story. Ask them why they want it. Then the social-linguistic ball is in their court. If they say something like, for an investigation, ask them why they're suspicious of you. Put them on the defensive, ask them questions, learn what you can. If you're not pulled over while driving, *you* are in control, not them. Don't be so cowered by uniforms.