HUTCH 7.62 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bozo Texino Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > 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?


Geez Hutch! Hitting the sauce a little early today, aren't we?