They hate us for our freedom

Now it's come to light that the FBI has been gathering intelligence and spying on the participants of Burning Man.

Burning Man is basically a counter culture art festival and party in the desert. It certainly isn't any sort of threat to national security. Sure there's illegal drug use, but probably not much more than at any of hundreds of music festivals. One has to wonder what other events the government is spying on. SCA medieval reenactments? Steam Punk events? Jazz festivals? Boy Scout Jamborees?

Back in the late 70s and early 80s I used to go to the Dowsers Convention held in Danville VT. There were government spies at that event. The first few years they were easy to spot as they were the ones in the suits. Later they tried to blend in better. However, the brand new L. L. Beans clothes combined with government black leather shoes was a dead give away.

It seems the government has difficulty with anyone doing anything outside the box. People who don't do what all the other sheep are doing are suspect.

Did I ever go to Burning Man? Naw, while it might be interesting, it's held in the summer in the middle of the freaking desert. Believe it or not, it has become too mainstream for my tastes. It's organized. There's an entry fee. The organizers try to work with the local authorities. There are less structured ways to meet with interesting people -ways that keep the FBI out of your business.

-Sixbears