Punxsutawney Phil a terrorist target?

[Gauracandra 1]

Have any of you ever seen the Bill Murray movie 'Groundhogs Day'? I saw a bit of it a few weeks back. Its actually somewhat philosophical. Basically its about this reporter that goes to cover Punxsutawney Phil, and ends up reliving the same day over and over. He gets to see how things change based on his decisions. At one point he decides that "If there is no tomorrow, then I can do what ever it is I want" and starts to act crazy. Anyways, it is kind of interesting.

 

Punxsutawney Phil a terrorist target?

 

January 16, 2002 Posted: 11:12 AM EST (1612 GMT)

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pennsylvania (AP) -- When Punxsutawney Phil pops his head out of his hole on February 2 to tell people whether or not they will experience six more weeks of winter, the famous groundhog may see more than his shadow.

 

Because of the September 11 terrorist attacks, security will be stepped up at Phil's home, Gobbler's Knob.

 

"They'll be checking people a little more, naturally, the way conditions are," said Barney Stockdale of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.

 

People with backpacks or bags will be subject to a search when they go to Gobbler's Knob.

 

"We'll have a good contingency of troopers there this year to ensure everyone's safety," said State Police spokesman Jamie LeVeir.

 

The tight security on Groundhog Day won't be the only new thing in Punxsutawney this year. The Punxsutawney Borough Council on Monday voted to allow a charity to serve beer downtown during the festivities, despite objections that the fund-raiser would encourage drinking and rowdy behavior.

 

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will put up a tent large enough to fit 1,200 people and charge $10 admission.

 

Groundhog Day organizers banned drinking on Gobbler's Knob in 1996.