"This whole thing is laughable" re: Boston and the "bombs"

[WilliamPitt]

It really kind of sucks to be on the ass end of a DU mock-party. I'm seeing that "laughable" sentiment from a lot of people here, especially those who just saw those stupid little cartoon things.

Do me a favor before you post lighthearted or mocking or derogatory jokes, and bear a couple of things in mind:

1. The news media in Boston didn't show us images of these things for HOURS yesterday, but instead talked about "suspicious items" with "wires" and "electronics" that were strapped to bridges, overpasses, rail lines and a big hospital.

2. That stuff is also called critical infrastructure, which is always a good target and has been since warfare was created. We didn't see them, only got those ominous descriptions, and couldn't help but note that they were attached to the kinds of things that, if destroyed, would wreak havoc.

Defend the artists, or the marketers, or Turner. Make your case that the cops overreacted. Dog the media for overblowing the whole thing, and for failing to show my city those damned cartoon bastards so we could all calm down.

Please do any or all those things. Feel free, because you are.

But please bear in mind that hindsight is easy, that seeing those things now does not give you any kind of an understanding of what yesterday was like here. We didn't see them, and they were in bad places.

In short, it wasn't laughable. It sucked, it was scary, and speaking personally, I'm going to have to let a lot of road pass by before I can come close to finding it funny.

Feel free to ignore that, as well. I just hope it doesn't happen in your neighborhood. If it does, I hope your fellow DUers don't make light of it, and of you.

(/sermon)

[Carni]

1. I would be totally pissed had I been in your shoes

Yeah, it looks silly now to see those aparatus but I can imagine that it was not laughable yesterday.

I don't understand why someone from the promotional company didn't intervene with the cops early on, to let them know the things were just PR tools.

What a nightmare for the people in Boston I am sure!

[RaleighNCDUer]

76. How do we know they didn't?

We only know what we're told, after all. In all those hours, nobody sent DHS a digital photo of the things, to try to identify the type of bomb? They've been around for weeks across the country, and DHS never knew about them?

We are building up for an attack on Iran - what a great excuse for Terra Terra, to remind the public that we're in a war.

I think the whole thing could have been dealt with in the first half hour, but some people did not WANT it dealt with.

[redqueen]

79. Excellent point re: DHS.

I think you're right... they wanted this played up.

[Carni]

128. As the old saying goes...

Does a bear shit in the woods?

Yeah I am quite sure that DHS really had a gift handed to them yesterday and loved every minute of scaring people.

[Carni]

127. I'm not disputing that

You make a lot of points that I also considered and I totally agree with you about only knowing what we are told (God knows the media will suck into whatever/whenever)

By my original comments...I just meant if I were a Boston resident, I would be pissed in general at everyone involved yesterday (law enforcement, media etc) and maybe not in the mood to laugh about this deal today.

I have no doubts that the bushit forces milked that deal for all it was worth to scare the hell out of people.

[JacksonWest]

86. The promotional company didn't intervene because the cops had found "bombs".

If they had mentioned small magnetic devices with a cartoon character giving them the finger...maybe they would have responded.

The media freaked people out, the police were too stupid to understand these weren't bombs, and people were scared for a while. Now that's it patently obvious that these devices were safe for ages 4 and up, any anger should be directed at the law enforcement who over hyped this, and the lazy media who ran this story all day.

The OP is making this story about her and her feelings---which seems silly. We can't laugh at the sheer lunacy(and irony if you're familiar with the mooninites) of the situation...becuase why?

[LeftCoast]

2. Will, I think you're taking this way too personally

Granted, I haven't seen all the posts about this subject, but generally speaking the ones I have seen (mine included) address the overreaction by the media and the PD. Given what information you had yesterday I think it's understandable that you were frightened then. But, I haven't seen people making fun of Bostonians themselves.

[Ian David]

9. I'm here in Boston, too. And I agree. You're taking this way too personally.

And you're probably the only one in the city who doesn't roll their eyes at the thought of ANOTHER terror threat, even when it's supposedly right next door.

If you let yourself be frightened, then the Republickers win.

Bomb threats... suspicious packages... devices... pfffft!

[redqueen]

16. How about you... did you see this?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=100822&mesg_id=100899

Your thoughts?

[Ian David]

23. I'm the one who posted that.

Anything can be a bomb.
Therefore, be afraid of EVERYTHING.

Tera! Tera! Tera!

When we let ourselves get frightened, the Republickers win.

I don't know about everyone else, but I have Threat Fatigue.

It's all background noise now.

[redqueen]

26. Ooops!

:blush:

[WilliamPitt]

31. Yeah, maybe

I'm certainly not ready to fuck around with posts like the one above. "Anything can be a bomb" is kinda the fucking point, and it still ain't funny, no matter how many dildo pictures get posted.

I think a DU break is in order. Gonna click the "logout" button, and wow, haven't done that for a while. Hope it isn't rusted.

[Ian David]

35. Bill, I don't mean to come down on you or to belittle you or the situation...

What do you need us to tell you to be supportive?

[Jim Warren]

56. Don't be frightened of DU

whew, fragile egos

[Ian David]

3. Who takes ANY "terror threat" seriously anymore, anyway?

And there in lies another problem: We're no longer paying attention when someone cries "wolf."

If someone told me that I had to evacuate a building because of a "suspicious package," I'd possibly ignore it if I could.

"Suspicious device" again? What is it THIS time? Another suitcase full of underpants?

I don't know why ANYONE would "panic" anymore.

Terror threats have become background noise.

And so it will be, right up until the REAL Mooninites come to get us.

[KoKo]

51. Yep....Crying Wolf until one day the Wolf walks in the door dressed

as a sheep.

[BeyondGeography]

4. You're right, but Boston still sucks

oh, wait, this isn't a baseball thread.

[The Count]

5. It happened in NYC (the 9/11 place, remember?) No one even noticed.

http://www.gothamist.com/archives/2007/02/01/aqua_teen_hunge.php

Why take offense over dumb cops?

[genie_weenie]

6. Some of the best movie advertising EVAR!

How many people who had no idea ATHF exists may now see the movie film?

[DUyellow]

7. dont be a tool

You let this happen, you let the media get away with it, and Boston was glued to the news channel the whole time.

[trumad]

12. Boo

[pamela]

108. Lol. Love your sig! n/t

[DUyellow]

131. somebody else had it first, but its so true.

Waiting for the shirt

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. ...

:nopity:

[The Count]

just for the fun of it:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

22. Meh. What the hell...

[The Count]

68. Heh!Heh! I have your answer right here:

:rofl: (you do know we are in agreement on this one, right? Just a gif war!))

[kenny blankenship]

10. I don't think anyone is going to mock your concern or anxiety of yesterday

but between them the local cops, media (local & national) and DHS (probably) had the whole eastern seaboard in a tizzy over these stupid things.
WHEREAS, if they had just shared their information, the Great Bomb Scare of 1-31-07 would have been defused in SECONDS.

When the "authorities" wig out and you see helicopters in the sky and there are armored carriers & bomb squads in the streets and there's announcements on the radio about this street that street and this other street being blocked off and they're talking about BOMBS on the TV, and all this refers to your neighborhood, your town, it's scary stuff. All you can know is what the authorities are telling you, and since it's their habit to tell you nothing that won't scare you, until they absolutely have to, you have no choice but to be scared.

The fact that they scared everybody over nothing--that deserves some mocking.

[DUyellow]

20. Your “concern or anxiety of yesterday” embolden the terrorists

either that or you put more money into the pockets of the M$M who fooled you again.

[Ian David]

95. I agree. It was never my intention (nor probably anyone else's) to mock Bill's anxiety. n/t

[Pathwalker]

11. Oh, it's funny now, looking at it from outside Boston,

but who would consider it funny to see hundreds of cops running around, swat teams fanning out, helicopters buzzing overhead, traffic at a standstill, and the tv scaring the hell out of everyone in Boston? Frankly, I find it worrisome.

[bigscott]

21. when i heard about this

all i thought about was whether it would affect my commute home from Boston - thanks to Tom Ridge and the boys I stopped taking these "threats" seriously long ago.

[Lex]

13. I think you're just feeling badly about coming onto DU and freaking out

so just cut yourself some slack. It was understandable, given that you didn't have all the facts at the time you posted.

[madinmaryland]

14. After being unfortunate enough to work in NYC on 9/11

and seeing and hearing the planes hit the WTC, I understand your concerns. Rumors of all sorts of attacks were flying that day as we walked back up to midtown. The cops were even telling us of car bombs going off in Brooklyn. We understand the fear that Bostonians felt yesterday. If I was in Boston yesterday, I would have been extremely pissed at what they did and how it shut the entire city down.

I also can see how some might make light of the situation, based on the number of fake terror alerts and alerts for things that seem trivial.

Hope all is better in Boston today. BTW, :wtf: is happening with the Celtics?

[redqueen]

15. Did you ever get around to checking this post out?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=100822&mesg_id=100899

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

18. Hey, this is serious business.

New England's been on high alert since martians invaded New Jersey.

[redqueen]

25. hahahaha... no but seriously!

Would terrorists really strap something that so obviously LOOKED bombish in such obvious places?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

28. Terrorists? Man, terrorists can sit back and relax.

The people of Boston are doing their job for them.

[IronScorpio5]

111. Good point....

some people are now chugging the kool-aid.

[redqueen]

116. They're reacting out of fear...

not the best mindset to act out of, IMO.

[IronScorpio5]

119. I agree....

nt

[rodeodance]

34. I kept hearing suspicious packages and lots of media speculation. They

--the media contributed to the mess, yet today they say nothing about their role (no surprize).

[redqueen]

45. Of course not. They're completely innocent. n/t

[meegbear]

17. You summed it up perfectly ...

The main thing is that someone reported something they thought was a bomb and the city acted on it. QED. Hell, even that whining bitch John Keller said the same thing. And for me to agree with him is scary.

[soleft]

19. I'd be pissed if I were you

When I read the news stories and your post yesterday all I read was Wire - electronic devises - and I assume who ever was investigating/reporting seriously thought they were devises that could be explosive. I don't live in Boston and i feel duped.

But then again, if I was a terrorist (or screenwriter) i'd probably put a bomb in a light bright toy, or a stuffed bear.

[Ian David]

32. Bombers can have a "sense of humor" too. Like the bad guys on Batman. n/t

[JacksonWest]

84. Right. And the reaction here was sort of out of a comic book....

[AngryAmish]

120. Or that guy leaving pipes bombs to make a smiley face on the map

[Ian David]

133. Yes! I forgot about that one!

Unfortunately, the bomb squad doesn't have a sense of humor.

[skypilot]

24. kick

*

[redqueen]

30. Kick?

Now?

:shrug:

[skypilot]

54. Yes

I had to leave DU for a bit and I wanted to mark this thread. This is the way I do it sometimes. I've been finding the discussions about this incident rather interesting.

[redqueen]

59. Ohhhhhh

I was confused there for a minute. :hi:

[skypilot]

66. Back at ya

:hi:

[jackster]

27. Thanks Will...

can always depend on you to find a way through all the smoke and mirrors and bs.

Actually, the officials' response, though maybe overblown, is somewhat reassuring to me. Isn't it better to be safe than sorry?

Let's face it, we do need to be on alert because there is a threat.

We just don't need to live very day in fear. Someone thought there was a threat, it was investigated, deemed not to be a threat, so we go about our business. (Of course, I wasn't snarled in that traffice either so maybe I'm being somewhat naieve.)

And anyway, how dumb an idea can you get?

[jpgray]

29. How is it reassuring? They were up for weeks, no?

This was shutting down traffic to close the barn door after the Lite Brite had been stolen.

[redqueen]

36. Reassuring cause the media storm

gives a false sense of the authorities 'dealing with it'... which they obviously didn't do too great a job of, considering the chaos they caused by releasing all this to the media before they knew which end was up.

[jpgray]

37. Oblivious to a potential threat for weeks, then misunderstanding it and overreacting to it

I think there's no "silver lining" to this one.

[redqueen]

47. Not at all...

but obviously, some choose to see it another way. As for why, though... I got no flippin idea.

[jackster]

58. I think we yet have to learn

what was "leaked" and what was "assumed"

hindsight is 20/20

[jackster]

52. Right they were up for weeks apparently,

but when called attention to - they were investigated. Yeah things got out of hand and as I said I didn't have to sit in the traffic. I might have a different perspective otherwise.

50+ years on the planet has mellowed me I admit. Maybe I'd be more worked up over this 10 or 20 years ago.

I'm just glad we're all safe and can laugh about it now!

[redqueen]

67. Well... apparently we can't *all* laugh about it yet.

But I hope that happens soon. :hi:

[jackster]

112. I did catch the news conf with the two guys charged...

and THAT WAS FUNNY!

[Bluebear]

61. What smoke & mirrors & BS were we wading through this time? nt

[frylock]

33. i'm so sorry..

but I just couldn't let this pass.

[originalpckelly]

41. Here's what they look like:

[The Count]

63. Awesome!

[soleft]

104. that's........pretty funny

[symbolman]

121. Now THAT

Is FUNNY!

Thanks for DeFusing poor Will's anxiety.

I know how it feels, when I was stationed in England back in the Seventies while in the US Air Force I was in London poking around a Shoe Store. All of a sudden there was a Big Bang, and ALL of the shoes on the wall flew everywhere and knocked us all down.

I got up, dusted myself off and asked the salesman what the hell was going on, they said, "Oh, it's the IRA, bombed the place next door.. usually they give you a call and give you time to get out, guess we didn't get the call.."

When I arrived in England in 1972 for my tour there, Heathrow had roving squads of 'Darth Vaders', British troops all in Black with automatic weapons. Just like you see today.

Terrorism isn't new, ask the Irish. Most people in Europe are pretty used to it by now, and Americans are just now getting a real taste of it in their everyday lives.

Get used to it. If you, a pal, or loved one gets hurt then you've got something to worry about.

But this graphic is Hilarious, thanks!

[rox63]

38. I'm with you on this, Will

And I live 30 miles outside of Boston. I saw some of the news reports and pics. None of them showed the cartoon characters. All they showed was a box with wires & electronics attached to a bridge. The folks who did this could have gotten a f&^%ing permit from the city, which would have avoided the whole mess. Then the authorities would have known it wasn't a bomb, and the panic would never have happened.

[KoKo]

50. Permit from the City....that's the right way to go. n/t

[Rick Myers]

39. The 'fear' you experienced was the product of...

...your local 'authorities' and your local media. They ALLOWED the panic attack, and every minute they failed to inform the public caused more fear. Any EOD guy worth his salt could tell INSTANTLY that those 'devices' were not bombs.

[jpgray]

42. Yeah. How many C batteries does it take for a bomb? More or less the same as a radio?

[frylock]

60. thanks for providing a little common sense..

of course the ad agency shares some culpability, but I place most of the blame on the media who go out of their way to sensationalize every little event.

[DaveJ]

40. Seems like the news agencies are to blame.

Come on, you don't tell millions of people that there may be bombs threatening critical infrastructure unless you are damn sure.

[Midlodemocrat]

43. I'm not in Boston and I'm not laughing.

This entire country has been essentially ordered to be scared and paranoid and afraid. I don't see how anyone can mock anyone who believed what they saw or heard on the news. I believe that I saw the Twin Towers fall one day, but rather than get this moved to the 9/11 forum, let's not get into how we think it happened.

My company was housed in the Empire State Building for over 50 years. After 9/11, the support staff was so terrified we had to relocate. Every time the fire alarm went off, people panicked. It was a natural reaction to the circumstances, understanding that several of my colleagues saw both planes go into the towers that dreadful day.

It's easy to mock now that we know it was nothing, but I don't watch Adult Swim and I wouldn't have realized it was a marketing ploy upon seeing the devices from the confines of my car.

[redqueen]

70. Well I for one did not mean to mock anyone

who felt fear due to the reckless reporting of this situation by the media.

I know I chose my words poorly in some other posts, and for that I apologize.

[Midlodemocrat]

80. I wouldn't think you would mock anyone.

You're far too nice to do that.

Some people here, though, are and I find that disturbing.

Anecotal story right after 9/11 when my company's office was still there. My work counterpart lived and worked in NYC, so she was in the office at the Empire State Building. I was on the phone with her and she exclaimed "Oh, I have to go there is a fire alarm" She hung up, I turned on the news. Sure enough CNN was reporting that the Empire State Building had been evacuated.

Two of my brothers were in that building that day and I was terrified because I wasn't getting any news. I had lost people in the Twin Towers and the feeling of hopelessness that comes from getting your information over the TV or the radio or the 'net during such a time is just awful.

It turned out everyone was fine, but everyone's nerves just couldn't take being in that building anymore.

[Wilber_Stool]

44. Why is it laughable?

Why should a package be suspicious? Nobody has been killed by a package bomb since Ted Kazinski. We weren't terrified then. How many people have been killed by a briefcase bomb. None. What does blow up? Cars. Are we afraid of cars? No. Trucks blow up. Are we afraid of trucks? No. People blow up. Are we afraid of people. Well, that one's a little different.
Frankly, until a package does explode, I'm just going to ignore them.

One more thing. Osama managed to paralyze a large American city without lifting a finger or spending a dime. He's probably sitting in his Barka lounger watching this all on his plasma tv and having real good laugh.

[frylock]

57. they weren't packages..

why does the MSM keep referring to them as such? Because suspicious packages are scary! These were devices, at best.

[goodhue]

46. your points are well taken, but I'm still laughing

Corporate culture jamming meeting the war on terror provides a perspective twist I find funny.

[bicentennial_baby]

48. How about those 'hilarious' avatars people are sporting now!

Not... :eyes:

[stillcool]

49. Yesterday aftenoon at no time...

was I even a little bit concerned. Probably because no one told me there was a reason for me to be concerned. I'm north of Boston, so I didn't have to worry about Storrow Drive or any other transportation glitch. My husband had been on the road but was home mid-afternoon without incidence. The news had reported the various locations that were being inspected, and all were thought to be a hoax. He too, was unconcerned. Until he turned on CNN and saw a terrorism 'expert' expounding on the obvious appearance of a terrorist attack. How anyone could think any of this is 'funny' is beyond me. How anyone thinks the Boston Police Department 'over-reacted' is also beyond me. What is really clear to me, is how easily people are influenced by erroneous depictions by already suspect sources.

The ordeal began around 8 a.m. when an MBTA worker spotted one of the devices affixed to an Interstate 93 ramp near Sullivan Square in Charlestown, forcing the shutdown of the northbound side of the Interstate and tying up traffic for hours. The State Police bomb squad blew the object apart with a water cannon at about 10 a.m. Then, in quick sequence just after noon, reports of similarly suspicious devices flooded police lines, sending anti terrorism forces to over a dozen locations in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/02/01/froth_fear_and_fury/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+City%2FRegion+News

[MonkeyFunk]

53. It must suck

to be a journalist in the middle of a breaking news story.

[earth mom]

55. The only ones who find it funny are * & Co-who on 9/11

either LIHOP or MIHOP. They are the ones who have milked the terra terra terra for all it's worth for 6 long years and played the citizenry for suckers. Figure out who the real terrorists are and direct your anger and frustration at them. Not at DUers who are trying to show you the truth.

[Horse with no Name]

62. I wouldn't mock it

Last year...several people passed out in our Walmart from something suspicious in the vents. The EPA closed down Walmart for two days.
It is scary when it's your backyard.
To be clear...I believe the majority of this stuff is propaganda from our government. But one of these days...it is going to be real.
We just don't know when.

[redqueen]

64. Explanation for my comments, and an apology...

Will... you HAVE to laugh.

First of all... because no one was hurt, and it was not actually a threat. Was it serious? Yes. And yes, millions were wasted. Is that new? No. Is it unfortunate? Yes. Is it something to blow a gasket over? Not really... considering the Big Dig fiasco I'd think y'all would be well versed in dealing with wasted money, actually.

Second of all... because if we don't... and we get into this mindset where we're hyper aware of bombs and potential threats and all that... that leads down a dark, dark path. History shows where that leads people.

It could have been a very serious situation, if it were real... so yesterday, people being panicked and upset was the sane reaction. However today, now that we know what actually happened, I think we need to take a serious look at how that got so out of hand.

I hope you didn't take any of my comments personally. I should have worded them better, instead of including the people of Boston in my posts. As I posted elsewhere, the reaction you and many others had is perfectly understandable.

Sorry for my horrible punctuation, and also if I offended you personally, or for any upset I may have caused you. You should know I respect your opinions greatly.

I hope you can laugh at the situation soon. Regardless of how un-laughable it felt yesterday... I think it's good to laugh when you find out you were never in danger after a scare (haunted houses, practical jokes, etc.)... and also to look forward to finding solutions to the problems that caused you to feel as if you were in danger in the first place, if that applies (i.e. the situation yesterday).

Sincerely & with warm regards,
RQ

[HoneyBee]

69. Great post.

:applause:

[The Stranger]

65. Then stop being so scared. Understand that the media and the junta is selling fear.

Tell them that you aren't buying it any more.

[Quantess]

71. I fully understand your point of view, WilliamPitt.

Sadly, some DUers seem to think there is something "cool" or "hip" about Turner Broadcasting's marketing ploy. The rest of us aren't "savvy" to pranks, and are silly and paranoid.

Well, this wasn't a "cool" prank! It was a financially motivated, advertising promotion, backed by a Fortune 500 corporation!

Their suspicious looking, yet harmless ads, shut down a city for hours. In this day and age, it's a no-brainer that people are scared of bombs. You or I might instantly recognize that it was a harmless device, but, it should be obvious that many people would have an anxiety attack upon finding it under a bridge. Many Americans are scared of terrorism, maybe irrationally, but they are scared nonetheless.

At the very least, Turner should have gotten a permit for their marketing stunt, or notified the city.

(edit for spelling)

[KoKo]

77. Well said! n/t

[peace13]

72. I agree with you.

A bomb or a pretend bomb it doesn't matter. Give me a break! In Ameirca today if a first grader says to the teacher, "I'm going to kill you" that threat is taken to the enth degree. How is this any different. Anyone who finds this trivial should prepare for the copy cats to follow. Enjoy watching the police and fire departments anguish over every false alarm as though it were real. Where has the empathy gone in this country? I say take them to trial and then we can see how funny it is. And anyway...it's free advertising. Peace, Kim

[redqueen]

73. Wait a minute now... are you saying that first graders' threats

being taken seriously... that you think that's a good thing?

[peace13]

85. No.

I am saying that this is the world we live in thanks to the *ush administrations 911. Everyone is held to a higher standard. Oh wait, with the exception of the pResident's club and his fortune 500! Face it, we are all a laughing joke to them. In my opinion it isn't funny. Oh well, it isn't worth trying to make you see. I give, you are right and that is that. Continue to laugh if it makes you feel better!

[redqueen]

87. Huh? It does make people feel better to laugh...

that's why we laugh after getting a scare from a friend... or going through haunted houses. When we realize there is no threat, some laugh... some lash out angrily. I think the first reponse is healthier, is all.

Peace.

[Bluebear]

74. Well, there have been "copycats" already....in many other cities

The same devices didn't cause the same hubbub in those towns. You are in a hurry to take the guys to trial "and then we can see how funny it is", but then you have to believe it was a "pretend bomb".

[Rick Myers]

75. When will we have a bomb squad called out on one of these?

http://www.soundbombs.info/eng/index.html

This is a promotion led by the musician, Beck. Seems like some sort of 'terra' device to me...

On edit: My bad, it's not Beck, the musician, it's a guy nmaed Felix Beck. For some reason I had it linked to Beck's site... My bad!

[kenny blankenship]

90. Or called out on one of these!

[devilgrrl]

78. My bullshit detector went off immediately.

And why shouldn't it? This "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" society we have here. Shame on you for buying it hook, line and sinker.

[Ganja Ninja]

81. Take a deep breath and relax Will.

I didn't see what you posted yesterday so I don't know how you reacted or overreacted but you should know better by now. Don't be afraid every time the media goes into a frenzy over a suspicious package. The time for fear is when you hear a boom and not before. If we keep this insanity up every time a piece of trash falls off a truck it's going to cost us a half a million bucks or more to shut down a city.

[JacksonWest]

82. It happened in ten other cities. SO, yeah, Boston's reaction is laughable.

It doens't reflect poorly on you. Just the media and the police.

[stillcool]

91. what do they do in your city....

when reports of suspicious packages flood the police station? Nothing?

The ordeal began around 8 a.m. when an MBTA worker spotted one of the devices affixed to an Interstate 93 ramp near Sullivan Square in Charlestown, forcing the shutdown of the northbound side of the Interstate and tying up traffic for hours. The State Police bomb squad blew the object apart with a water cannon at about 10 a.m. Then, in quick sequence just after noon, reports of similarly suspicious devices flooded police lines, sending anti terrorism forces to over a dozen locations in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/02/01/froth_fear_and_fury/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+City%2FRegion+News

[JacksonWest]

92. They investigate and realize that a lite brite isn't a threat.

The media covered the destruction of the first "device". IT makes sense that calls would flood in. It wasn't properly handled in Boston. Read about Seattle below.

Either way, there's nothing wrong with being scared or upset-during the "attack" or right now. I'd be upset at the City and the way it was handled. These are the people that told the OP to be afraid of lite brites.




http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/302011_devices01.ht...

The King County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wednesday that several illuminated "cartoon figures giving the finger" have been turned in, but it is reacting differently from law enforcement authorities in Boston, where the devices caused a bomb scare, shutting down streets, bridges and a section of the Charles River and forcing an evacuation of a hospital. Two men were arrested.

"To us, they're so obviously not suspicious," said King County sheriff's spokesman John Urquhart. "They're not suspicious devices or packages. We don't consider them dangerous."

[stillcool]

99. well...I'm glad I don't live where you do...

and I was never 'scared'. The local news reported the locations that the devices were reported to be, so I did not get stuck in any traffic. At no time, were the 'devices' said to be anything other than a 'hoax', but police nevertheless had to check them out. It was not until We turned on CNN that we heard anything about a 'terrorist threat' and that was from a CNN/Time-Warner/Turner Broadcasting 'expert'.

[JacksonWest]

103. Whats wrong with where I live? And if you think Boston responded well to the lite brites....

that's your call. I think your summary is incorrect-clearly the boxes were thought to be more then hoaxes at some point-they had the bomb squad demolish one.

Good work not getting stuck in traffic. It's a grind there anyway.

[redqueen]

124. Seen this?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=116x13870

[Ian David]

94. The Boston PD, with the possible exception of their communications director, did just fine.

However, the media did their usual schtick of trying to play up drama.

Keep in mind that two "simulated pipe bombs" were found earlier in the day.

[michaelwb]

83. Here's the distinction

I blame the media and politicians who have been milking this for all it is worth.

I have no problem with people who heard the initial reports without seeing the photos and were scared and worried at that time.

I have a big problem with people who now know better and are still insistent that this was a horrible act and lend the press and politicians more ammunition for ridiculous posturing and legal action - WHEN THERE ARE ACTUAL IMPORTANT ISSUES THEY COULD BE DEALING WITH IN BOSTON!

Shooting in Boston, homelessness, the economy, etc.

I also can only raise a bemused eye at folks who were mocking and dismissive about "scares" in other areas that also turned out to be media hype, and bashed folks for being scared at the time - but now that it has happened to them seem to expect different treatment.

[GumboYaYa]

88. Fear, fear, fear ......

Of course the media and local officials overreacted. For six years we have been fed a steady diet of fear every day. They were just doing their jobs the best they knew how. I am sure that some "terrorism expert" told them it would be a bad idea to let the specifics of the case out until they had more information.

The poor folks in Boston have no way of knowing whether they are about to be blown to bits. That's not the least bit funny and it is most definitely not their fault. We have seen how the terrorists seem to like to hit liberal cities, so why shouldn't they be scared when the media is telling them that bombs are popping up all over town. All of you Bostonians have my sympathy for the stress you must have endured.

In the end, this is not a time to be blaming the people who were doing their jobs or to laugh at the people who were rightfully scared for their lives.

This is just another example of the hell that the Bush administration has wrought on Americans. Given the constant bombardment of fear, everyone pretty much acted the way you would expect yesterday.

[Jacobin]

89. I don't think its laughable

I don't think the police handled it well, either, by not describing these things, checking around the country for similar stuff, etc.

We can't really expect the cops to be up on cartoon stuff. Hell, I'm clueless about anything on the Comedy Channel except for Stewart and Colbert.

When its become 'funny' to freak out an entire city, disrupt millions of people's lives, and spend millions of taxpayer dollars, I'm off that train.

[LSK]

93. Randi is lampooning this now

[Marrah_G]

96. I agree WIll

Bostonians have been called pansies, chickshits, coward, etc by DU'rs. Our Mayor, Governor and public saftey people are called morons, idiots, yadda, yadda. I've never used the ignore or hide thread fuctions, but I think I am going to start today.

I wonder how many would be laughing if they found one, assumed it was nothing and then found out the hard way that they were wrong.

I would rather them err on the side of caution.

[Ian David]

97. Bombs, hoax bombs, and a hoax hoax ("simulated pipebombs" found before the Mooninites)

See this thread:

Bombs, hoax bombs, and a hoax hoax ("simulated pipebombs" found before the Mooninites)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=116x13870

[malmapus]

98. But Will, they have been all over the country

Why is it only Boston had the freak out when little Err with his finger upraised has been flicking off Americans in quite a few other places.

I've seen a board like it and just laughed in the Seattle area (I happen to watch ATHF so knew the character and thought the board cool for what it was...heck wouldn't mind having one in my room).

I am so pissed at the gov't and pretty much Americans for being so wound up, course have noone to thank but the current administation and it's play on fear these past few years to create said environment.

[Red Right and BLUE]

100. I don't think it's funny. I think it's fucking despicable that the media hyped it up

before anyone knew what the fuck was going on. Scaring the shit out of everyone isn't funny.

Sorry you were personally affected by this, but the whole thing pisses me off.

[Malikshah]

101. Not mocking, not laughable--but please bear in mind that these

rants soon to be followed by sheepish mea culpas is becoming a habit.

Bear in mind that their is such a thing as the internet with image capability. I've often used it to find out where traffic accidents are when the media does a poor job. Or when they cordoned off my neighborhood without telling folks anything-- went on the internet and found out the reasons.

Personally-- anger should be directed at the marketing campaing, the Bostonian media frenzy, and DHS--equally.

[Tansy_Gold]

118. I think there was a sheepish mea culpa BEFORE this rant

But I could be wrong.


After all, I'm only


Tansy Gold

[Malikshah]

135. I was trying to be discrete...:) This ain't my first time at the rodeo

Seen the patterns forming over a number of years with folks in general. Such is life.

Maybe folks can just go sit back and catch an Ed Burns film and relax.

[Hoping4Change]

102. I'm appalled that people find it funny. Personally I'm disgusted

with marketers contaminating public spaces with trash but this just takes the cake, it is completely offensive. I hope that Warner is forcedx to pay for all the costs.

[DUyellow]

106. because the marketers are so creative, go to youtube.com

there is nothing new about this, just type in LED Throwie and see what you come up with.

"I hope that Warner is forcedx to pay for all the costs" somebody has to pay for this, maybe the people of Boston just did pay for electing these fools. Maybe they will think twice during the next elections.

THEY'RE WINNING AND YOU ARE RUNNING SCARED GLUED TO YOUR TV SETS WATCHING THE NEWS

[jelly]

141. Here's some LED Throwie links posted on YouTube a few months ago.

I'm geeky so they caught my attention back then -- I think they're pretty cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iC3Lh6XaOc&mode=related...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH_rQRKCrLs&mode=related...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNSH_AUjths&mode=related...

[smoogatz]

105. Best advice I ever got from a fortune-teller:

Madame Rose, Jackson Square, New Orleans, 2002: "Honey, you got to relax yourself."

[mzmolly]

107. Proof that "terrorism" is effective.

Unfortunately. I'm glad it turned out to be nothing, if it happened in my neck of the woods, I'd have been alarmed as well.

Peace

[gulfcoastliberal]

109. Pure conjecture: if this happened in a "red state" or the south, DU would be laughing

at the "dumbass rednecks" who thought an advert looked like a bomb. Just a hypothesis.

[redqueen]

115. Intersting hypothesis...

and I tend to think you're probably right.

[Edweird]

110. I don't fault Bostonian's for being concerned, however

I do think that the politicians were trying to gain some points. I also expect the same politicians to try to find cover by passing it off on the police or somebody else. Your political leaders made this into a "crisis", not the media or the police. So, I mock them for showing contempt for their citizens by plying such a cheap ploy for their own gain. And if I had come across one? Well, as soon as I saw a picture of one, I knew it wasn't a bomb, so I would have taken home and put that thing in my den!

[Dukkha]

113. I find all the phony outrage very laughable

Especially from the whiny crybabies who don't even live in Boston.
These people are weak, pathetic, and terribly insulting to those who actually live in dangerous war zones. I'm sure they had a good laugh over the fact that your morning cappuccino was interrupted over the little chickens screaming that the sky was falling again.
Only you can allow your freedom and liberties to be taken by paranoid fear mongering alarmists. if you do then you didn't deserve it to begin with.

:nopity: get over yourself.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

114. I Could Completely Understand Why You Or Others Would've Reacted In Such Ways. If Someone Mocks

you guys for it, then they're just being purely childish. I do, however, think the cops and those involved with the investigation most definitely helped create the drama that unfolded and that there were a million better ways they could've gone about it. I think they are somewhat fair game for mockery, but I think it would be nothing short of children stupidity to mock those who were concerned yesterday, as it is obvious and reasonable as to why some would absolutely have concern under those circumstances.

[Redstone]

117. What you said.

There's a sickening tone of condescension in many of those posts ("Hey, you old farts in New England just don't get it, and we hipsters do."

Not to mention the number of personal insults that some of us have gotten because we want to discuss the issue...I know you've had your share, too. Christ, you'd think we had called for Rummy to be re-hired, wouldn't you?

Redstone

[mainer]

122. my 20-something son said any kid would've known

I'd never heard of this TV show. But my son says all his friends knew the significance of those blinky things. "If only the cops had asked a random kid on the street," he said. "They'd've been told it was related to the show." Now his big mission in life is to get hold of one as a keepsake, but I told him they're on Ebay for over 10K.

[malmapus]

125. Not just kid, I'm 32 and I know them

Heck even have friends older that enjoy Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

I can't believe that nobody who was involved in the situation could say, "hey wait this looks like Err flicking us off."

[WI_DEM]

129. why didn't "one of the kids" tell the cops if they all know or tell somebody?

[Stu DeBeouf]

123. I see that...

Brevity is NOT the soul of Pitt. Drop the fucking thing already...how many threads are you going to start to soothe your fevered brain regarding this matter?

[KoKo]

126. Another "Pitt be Gone" post.............sheesh! n/t

[porphyrian]

130. Obviously the media is to blame for the scare.

These advertisements were understood for what they were in every other city they were placed. The police can't be blamed for investigating, but the media can. The media made a terror scare out of an advertisement.

[tabasco]

132. "....and the Home of the Brave!"

LMAO.

[DarkTirade]

134. Personally, I think the guy who put those signs up should sue

for destruction of property. :) As soon as he gets over this stupid 'hoax' arrest.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

136. Yeah, and unlawful arrest.

Well, I think they'd have a case anyway.

They seem too good natured to sue.

[slowry]

137. Concern != Fear -- the bravado in these threads is mildly pathetic n/t

[EstimatedProphet]

138. Frankly it sounds like your argument is with the police and media

Because, here's the thing: had they shown on TV what the devices actually looked like at the outset, then what would have happened immediately would have been any number of people recognizing them for what they are, and not bombs.

I knew exactly what it was all about the instant I saw the picture, and I don't even watch the show!

Regardless of what happened, it all still comes back to the responsibility of the police and the media. They are the ones that went off the deep end. I can't seriously believe the 2 guys that put up the ads did so believing that they would somehow fool people into thinking they were bombs. They clearly weren't bombs. So when they were putting them up, they did so knowing it was an ad, believing that maybe some people would recognize it as an ad, and understanding that there would be a lot of people left scratching their heads. The thought that they would be confused with bombs was, I'm sure, every bit as realistic to the ad guys as the thought that they would be confused with gerbils.

Too many people here have been talking about this as if it were irresponsible. Nonsense! If we begin to modify our actions based on the idea that someone paranoid may misinterpret those actions, then we let the paranoids dictate our actions for us.

[Ian David]

144. I think the media and the police public information people are responsible.

The cops who showed-up in the big bomb suits, and made decisions on what streets to close down, all did a great job.
Considering that two simulated pipe bombs were found earlier that day, placed by a disgruntled hospital employee who shouted that god would make it a sad day... the cops had reason to be concerned.

The problem was caused by the media, and which ever cops were in charge of talking to the media.

Everyone else performed admirably-- mayor, governor, cops, etc.

At least Deval Patrick wasn't out playing guitar and eating cake while his city exploded, and he didn't come home to say, "nobody could have anticipated terrorists disguising bombs as cartoon characters."

At least Mayor Menino didn't go watch Spamalot on Broadway, and shop for expensive shoes, and then return to tell people stuck on rooftops that Jesus was more likely to come to their rescue than the National Guard.

[TwilightZone]

139. Courage is directly proportional to distance

Particularly on the internet.

[sendero]

140. Sorry...

... it was laughable, and the decision to prosecute makes it even more laughable.

[k_jerome]

142. the way Boston reacted, you'd think there were some African American kids trying to ride a bus. nt.

[Bluebear]

143. Ouch.