Anonymous Coward writes: The U. S. Mint in Denver was once a major tourist attraction. Since 9/11, they have adopted "security" measures that say "GO AWAY" in no uncertain terms. For a while, they were closed completely, then they required an invitation from your congressman(!) to make a reservation. Now they let anyone make a reservation, but they note that the facility will be closed when the alert level is Orange. (Makes sense, since the Denver Mint is at least the 15,000th most attractive terrorist target in America.)
The coup de grace is the "prohibited items" list! No pointy objects (you might use a pen to hijack the building and crash it)! And obviously a kid with a pocket comb is a real threat to the heavily armed guards at the coin vaults. What if my hand is a martial arts weapon?
Quoting:
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, the following:
- * Cameras or camera cell phones
- * Handbags, book bags, backpacks, purses, fanny packs, diaper bags
- * Packages of any type
- * Strollers
- * Food or beverages of any kind
- * Video recorders or any type of recording device
- * Tobacco products
- * Personal grooming items (makeup, hair brush or comb, lip or hand lotions, etc.)
- * Any pointed objects (pens, knitting needles, umbrellas, etc.)
- * Mace, or aerosol containers
- * Guns, or ammunition
- * Fireworks
- * Electric stun guns
- * Martial arts weapons/devices
- * Knives of any size
Thanks, AC! The list also includes Personal Digital Assistants -- I guess they didn't want anyone remembering their appointment to go there....
I really liked this quote, which might be an indicator of how they see their visitors: "All necessary medications must be identified, and will remain in the custody of an adult chaperone for the entire tour."
A chaperone? Wow -- I guess they're afraid of someone holding hands on the tour or something. Or perhaps making some of that terrible "rock and roll" music or some such. Land sakes! Chaperones for adults! I'm sort of surprised they didn't call them "hall monitors", or perhaps "babysitters".
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