Traveling whilst Asian (with a twist)

It's difficult to keep up with all the stories about air travellers being harassed or forced off of flights because of their Asian appearance. It is usually based on complaints from other passengers who suggest that they will refuse to fly with the offending individuals on the flight. (Why the airlines don't take the obvious step of saying "see ya" to those complaining I don't understand.)

There are two unusual features to this story:

1. The passenger with suspicious features, architect Seth Stein, is Jewish.
2. The passenger who essentially assaulted Mr. Stein, "restraining him and searching his pockets", claimed to be a New York police officer. It turns out the New York policeman with the name he used retired 25 years ago. "Officials have told the architect that his assailant may work for another law enforcement agency but have refused to say which one."

Mr. Stein's crime? He had an Ipod, he used the toilet and his tan "mad him look Arab".

Freedom marches on!