{{Anne}}

omnis - ... ::looking on thinkgeek for some dumbspray:: oh never mind. I don't know what to say to the wifi debacle. Thats. just. so. -- ::passing you bubblewrap for your desk::

I don't think human bombs come with flashing LED lights advertising that they're bombs. Probably not star shaped either. I think you just have a vest with explosive and a detonator.

An easy assessment to make from the comfort of our laptop computers.

But if you're working at the airport where two of the planes that blew up on 9/11 took off, and you catch a glimpse of wires and lights on someones chest, and you ask them what that is, and they don't answer you, and they have something putty looking in their hand you call a cop.

And if you're the cop at Logan and you get word that someone unresponsive been seen with wires and lights sticking out of the jacket of someone holding something putty-like you put a gun on them and tell them to freeze.

Neither of these people are likely to think "well, she hasn't gone through security, so its not a problem" or "let me take a closer look and see if its art" (because by then whatever poked out accidentally could have been shoved back in).

Now, if it was an accident charges should be dropped. Absolutely.

But that doesn't mean the initial reaction was bizarre.

As far as ATHF:

I think this is true to an extent, but it’s important to remember that the day they were dealing with the cartoon (which I can’t remember the name of right now) advertisements, there were actual bomb threats and *other* suspicious, bomb-likeness found in more than one place (I can go search for the details if people need/want them). They REALLY downplayed those, though.

That and, again, if you don't have any idea wtf ATHF is (as many many people do not) it just looks like wires and lights on a bridge where they don't belong.

And terroristic charges shouldn't be pressed against the guys that hung them (I believe those were dropped within a few days).

However, if you're going to engage in "guerilla marketing" and hang up shit without permission or permits you're HANGING UP STUFF WITHOUT PERMISSION OR PERMITS and if you cause a problem (be it peeling off the paint, or it dropping on the head of a passer-by, or scaring the fuck out of police who are on high alert) its your own damn fault.

One more note on Boston police, then I'm done.

I've noticed (and this is probably a post-9/11 thing...I didn't live here before then, so it's hard for me to make a comparison) that the police would much rather look stupid later than underreact. And, as someone who lives in Boston, I'm a little appreciative of that. A lot of cops and firemen and state officials live in my neighborhood (because it's one of the few neighborhoods IN Boston that they can actually afford), and they're good people who are trying to do the best for their community.

But that doesn't mean the initial reaction was bizarre.

No, indeed. My impression, though, was that nobody in this thread has argued that the initial reaction was bizarre - although I may have misremembered. I thought the disagreement was more as to whether she was likely to have made a genuine error or to have intentionally misled the authorities in some kind of attention-seeking piece of ad hoc performance art? But I might have got the wrong impression. That was certainly where my own focus was, because I quite agree that nobody wants another bomb and it's better to be safe than sorry, so fair play to the authorities for ensuring that there was no threat to public safety.

Although having had my own police shooting innocent people dead for having dark skin while wearing a back pack and running when challenged, I'm also a big fan of not killing people just on suspicion of being terrorists. But I think we're all pretty much of that opinion, yeah? And glad that your guys didn't shoot her just for looking suspicious, whether through thoughtlessness or on purpose?

Incidentally, I meant to ask before - what does A/IP (if I recall the initials properly) mean?

and you ask them what that is, and they don't answer you,

Except that she was asked a second time by the same person, and answered truthfully. At 8 am at an information booth when you are wanting information, and amongst the things being said, someone asks you about your coat, it's easy to imagine being distracted.

However, since she was asked again, more pointedly, and explained what it was, I do tend to give the benefit of the doubt that the info booth person may not have asked very clearly the first time.

However, I find it hard to swallow that someone not acting in a threatening way, merely asking about an *incoming flight* and not causing a problem should be accosted by several tommygun wielding men screaming at the top of their lungs.

People with more obviously dangerous things and weapons have been taken off to the side discretely.

Why not one cop with a pistol? Sure, have others at strategic points of escape, but it really seems like they were pushing their luck.

If she were a real terrorist, and a real bomb, she could have had a remote detonator in their shoe and boom.

I don't think she should be charged with a bomb hoax. Hard to pin reckless endangerment, with the tommyguns being the only real danger. Not sure what real charge would stick. But bomb hoax? She never claimed it was a bomb, so I guess I would have to read the ordinance she was charged under.

As others have said, the whole scenario will eventually come out.

Although having had my own police shooting innocent people dead for having dark skin while wearing a back pack and running when challenged, I'm also a big fan of not killing people just on suspicion of being terrorists. But I think we're all pretty much of that opinion, yeah? And glad that your guys didn't shoot her just for looking suspicious, whether through thoughtlessness or on purpose?

Completely agree.

However, I find it hard to swallow that someone not acting in a threatening way, merely asking about an *incoming flight* and not causing a problem should be accosted by several tommygun wielding men screaming at the top of their lungs.

And this.

I had a reservation on Pan Am 103. I lost my best friend and another friend in an actual terrorist action. I get the need for increased awareness and vigilance. But there comes a point where the 'protection' from terrorism becomes the terrorism.

Very few terrorist activities involve foreshadowing...that's the nature of the beast. Thinking that automatic weapons and jump attacks by authorities will keep us safe is a bit naive.

The recent plots busted in England and German were brought down by intelligence and covert activities.

In a post 9/11 world, it is incumbent upon the leadership of this country to become a better global citizen, reduce the inspiration for terroristic outbursts and to keep its citizens aware of what each of us can do to be wise.

The messages on the Metro these days, "Is that your bag?" Encouraging people to be mindful of unattended objects. That makes sense to me.

Also - judgment really should have another "e" in there. Just saying.

Uh. No. The preferred spelling is judgment.

Susan, you hit on something that really, really scares me...and while I know why, I've never really gotten past it. Being perceived as lazy is a huge trigger for me. Do not WANT.

I hear you--I'm the same way. But I figure those of us who hate the very idea of being perceived as lazy probably AREN'T lazy and are rarely/never viewed that way. Of course, I really DO procrastinate way too much, which sometimes has the same effect as laziness...

Uh. No. The preferred spelling is judgment.

In the US, yes. But not everywhere. It's one of the words listed under UK/US spelling differences.

Heh. I am lazy and I still finished a book and two articles this summer.

It's crazy scramble time at Chez Zmayhem.

The birthday cake is out of the oven but I have to make the frosting from scratch.

Our pool party got RAINED OUT!

So now we have to keep a pack of 11 year old boys entertained for a couple hours in doors.

I've decided that I'll frost the cake but let them decorate it. Open presents first instead of last so we can play with stuff. Pizza. DVD. Cake.

In between? The greatest indoor sport ever invented: Slow Motion Balloon Volleyball!