After reading a few reports, it looks like a misunderstanding, exacerbated by a lack of understanding of the English "check".
To one person (Kevin D. Williamson, for example), “Well, of course, I’d expected not. Is there a place where I can check it?” meant check it like one would check a coat in a coatroom. To another, especially if English is a second language, check could mean, "Where can I take it out and test fire it?"
The way it is relayed on PfP, the Mayor could simply say he had early information that turned out not to be complete or true. He knows enough and has enough experience to know not to interfere with a pending case, criminal or civil.
And when a story is relayed a few times, a word or two changed or shaded can change the whole meaning of what actually happened.
This board is very excitable.
Who has time to read 1,100 posts in a week?
Is there software to read SI threads and adjust the speed to 2x normal?
I could go to New York and do the same thing and ask the same question just to test the NYC law. Anyone could do that. It would be civil disobedience, with an intent to change the law.
It does seem quite a coincidence that the same word "check" was used in two different situations. |
