Coast Guard arrests a man trying to run a giant hamster wheel across the Atlantic
https://www.npr.org/2023/09/07/1198252469/coast-guard-hamster-wheel-reza-baluchi-atlantic-ocean
https://www.npr.org/2023/09/07/1198252469/coast-guard-hamster-wheel-reza-baluchi-atlantic-ocean
The issue was that he threatened to detonate a bomb if the coast guard got close. He also said he had knives and would kill himself.
The reason this escalated is they were harassing him. They detained him for days, looking for a problem that wasn't there.
He definitely would have died at least twice if not for coast guard intervention, and it seems like that's what he wants.
let me get this straight.. if a millionaire builds a million dollar , untested experimental craft and goes and plays in the ocean, hes fine.
if some poor schlup scrapes together a bunch of crap into an experimental craft and foes and plays in the ocean, hes stopped, investigated, and arrested when he refuses to comply.
why the disparity in treatment? oh right, money. people with money can do whateverthefucktheywant
Released on a $250000 bond.
Ah yes, you are allowed to do whatever you want as long as youre rich
That's $50,000 more than Trump's bail in Georgia.
Try to rig an election all you want, but running in a hamster wheel on the ocean? Now that's serious!
Again?! Is there some kind of reverse Darwin award for doing the most stupid shit and somehow not dying?
True, but now and then, stupid shit by stupid people pays off:
The idea is that you should die and not further your genes if you do such idiotic things (that's the premise of the Darwin awards), this guy is very stubbornly not dying!
Banned from the ocean for life is a pretty hefty punishment for a Florida man. I didn't know that was possible.
This is the guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da6_LjiIzXk
My favourite quote:
This thing, I hold it. You catch fish, hit his head. He get coma.
LOL I can see it now, “Cops, the Coast Guard edition. All suspects are innocent… I love what I do. Patrolling the seven seas and making a difference in people's lives is so rewarding... We're going to pull over this hamster wheel."
I would say you should mention he’s from Florida, but on rereading the title, it’s well enough implied.
I dunno, man, the guy threatened violence repeatedly, and the Coast Guard managed to non-violently de-escalate the whole thing, and get himself to peacefully surrender. At least in this case, they handled it exactly the way they should have.
Coast guard also responds to stuff like oil and haz spills and enforces environmental laws to protect endangered marine species. I think they're pretty OK.