(Thanks, R. :)

A Reader writes:

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A related experience of mine, to the red dots report, here.

At the start of 2016 primaries and before Trump started campaigning and declared himself as a candidate, probably in 2015, I was a Bernie Sanders supporter. Bernie came to Phoenix and spoke at the Phoenix Auditorium, probably our largest facility here. I served as a Volunteer that afternoon. Bernie had not yet "sold out" and "she" had not yet come forth and declared herself as a candidate, to my recollection.

I was assigned a position on the floor mostly to guide folks and also we had instructions regarding problems. I was moved closer to the entrance toward the back of the auditorium at some point, probably 100' forward into the auditorium from the entrance doors there.

Folks were "normal", mostly. Just different types of regular folks. The auditorium played the more gentle rock and popular music that I could relate to. In all, it was pleasant enough. Bernie came out, to much applause.

Shortly thereafter, a man appeared, dressed in all black -- which had not become "the fad" -- I will add, the horrible, probably deliberately created chakra-closing "fad" -- yet. He wore dark sunglasses, yet this was an indoor, not extremely well-lit place, so that was odd too. He was medium height, slender build. He wasn't excited to be here. He was "strictly business", was talking on his phone at times. He carried a black satchel over his shoulder. He stood out by his non-friendly, non-relating, dark manner. I immediately noticed him and felt concerned.

He moved from standing there toward the back, like I was, forward into the crowd somewhat to the right side of center. I decided I would follow him from a distance. I kept him in view as he moved up toward the front, off to the side from where Bernie was standing on a podium, positioned not fully at the front end of the auditorium, but with crowds also around the back of him, but toward the front of the auditorium.

He stopped and pulled out some equipment, something black. He pointed it towards Bernie. I don't know what it was. Not sure it was a camera, at all. ***He held it above his head, pointing in that direction. Possibly if it pointed a red dot on the target, it didn't matter if he "looked through" a lens or gun aiming device. *** I couldn't see Bernie well, though I could hear him as I was close to him there. I don't know if this guy's equipment focused a red beam on Bernie.

I was about 10' or less from him, separated from him by some folks, but I could see him, and I was watching him. He looked around too, to see those around him.

At this point, as best I recall, I pushed over to him and asked our question that we were supposed to ask of folks, "Did you register in the lobby?" or some such words to that effect. I had a pin or sticker, etc., on me that identified me as a Volunteer.

He glanced at me, as if seeing me for the first time. He pushed his jacket lapel over, revealing his sticker on his shirt that showed he had registered and was OK in the gathering. I backed off again.

I was desperate for help here. I remembered I had Bernie's local Coordinator's phone number in my cellphone, so I called him. He answered.

I told the Coordinator a bit of this character's behavior. He reminded me to look up to the auditorium ceiling and identify the exact number-letter coordinates of where I stood in the huge auditorium. I told him. He said he could see me, etc., and reassured me. He said the police would show up there, and I was to go back to where I was assigned.

I now recall that I had told a policeman at the back of the auditorium about how funny this guy was, before I decided to follow him because the policeman didn't follow him into the crowd.

I returned to the near-back of the auditorium. Per Bernie's local Coordinator, they now had eyes on that guy.

Shortly thereafter, I noticed that guy had returned to the back of the auditorium. He was on his cellphone for quite a few minutes. I let the Coordinator know.

After maybe 10 minutes, that guy left.

On completion of the event, when I returned to our Volunteers' gathering after the event, I went up to the Coordinator and introduced myself as the one who had called. The Coordinator threw his arms around me and hugged me, thanking me over and over for what I had done. He gave me no details. He did say that that guy had left the building.

For what it's worth. F.Y.I.

A Reader

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