Bozo Texino Wrote:
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> While both are talented rail photographers, it is
> a shame that Drew Jackish felt attacked on this
> forum and likely decided that if he was being
> heckled and unappreciated he would go elsewhere.
> Drew was entitled to his opinions even if some did
> not agree with him.
>
> James A. Speaker on the other hand is a true
> menace, to his own safety, the railroads' negative
> opinions about railroad photographers/fans, and to
> the railroads. It would be best if he was just
> encouraged to stay away from the railroads.
> Unfortunately to some degree Mr. Speaker cannot
> help himself, as he is autistic. A mental health
> professional who worked with autistics for over 30
> years, who as a railfan, observed Mr. Speaker in
> action, commented that "autistics can be highly
> manipulative." The character Dustin Hoffman played
> in the movie "Rain Man" was autistic, although Mr.
> Speaker is somewhat higher functioning. He does
> know right from wrong, but chooses to do things
> "his way," often on impulse, regardless of the
> consequences, or what he has been asked or
> repeatedly told. Frequently these actions are
> taken at the risk of his own safety, and
> frequently bothering other people.
>
> Does tripping along, in a busy railroad yard,
> wearing headphones, or earplugs, listening to a
> recording of "Jingle Bells," walking on tracks and
> ballast with untied tennis shoes sound safe to
> you? That is Jim Speaker. Does climbing high
> tension towers for photos sound safe? Does heading
> for Donner Pass in only sneakers and a
> windbreaker, in March, sound like a good idea?
> That is also Mr. Speaker. Ask Mr. Speaker about
> just about any town, with a railroad, in the
> Western United States, he can tell you how law
> enforcement field interviewed him, and a few times
> arrested him. At least twice he was turned back
> at the Canadian Border by Canadian and U.S.
> Authorities when they ran his record. Ask Mr.
> Speaker about the vandalism he has done to
> railroad property, and bragged about.
>
> Ask him about the time he was on the old Santa Fe
> Surf Line, when challenged by authorities for
> climbing Santa Fe signals, he ran, leaving behind
> a briefcase. A briefcase a bomb squad was called
> to detonate, containing only an old tape recorder
> and paper. Ask him about the trespassing
> citation, and fine, mailed to him by CSX, for
> being caught on video in one of their intermodal
> facilities.
>
> Mr. Speaker and his parents were visited at home,
> in the early 90's, by railroad special agents. It
> was explained to them that Mr. Speaker needed to
> stay away from railroad property, and not make
> threats of vandalism. The Speakers were also
> specifically asked to not allow him to call train
> dispatchers and other railroad employees at work.
> Some autistics have demonstrated telephone
> "skills," and in Jim Speaker's case, he has the
> ability to discover unlisted numbers, then
> repeatedly make a pest of himself. These phone
> calls consisted of asking inane, often irrelevant
> questions. Often he was not capable of
> understanding the answers, thereby prompting
> repeated nuisance calls. Amtrak and others have
> long since blocked his phone. Needless to say
> the home visit by the special agents did not have
> a lasting effect. Being a particularly
> manipulative autistic Mr. Speaker prefers to
> ignore that and similar episodes in his life.
> His father passed away years ago, and his mother
> has always had "a bolt loose." Therefore there is
> little control over where Speaker goes or what he
> does. Most law enforcement agencies and courts
> let him go, possibly regarding him as "harmless,"
> in comparison to criminals they normally deal
> with. However, closer to the truth is he would
> cost money to feed, jail, etc., while awaiting
> trial, all expenses of which would be borne by
> whatever "lucky" jurisdiction held onto him, and
> he would be unlikely to pay any fines levied.
> Therefore he is normally field interviewed,
> warned, and sent on down the road, to become
> someone else's problem.
>
> So that he does not become your problem, if you
> encounter him, encourage safe behavior, although
> he often pretends not to undertand, and will
> argue, or continue asking inane questions. Be
> prepared to call law enforcement. If he latches
> onto you, he can be like the dog that wants to
> hump your leg. Friendly but a nusiance. Just ask
> a few well known railroad photographers,
> railroaders and certain editors, who have
> encountered him.

wow a complete bio on Jim Speaker. wow my uestions have been answered. BTW how do you know so muck about Jim?