Samantha Marson
zebFish
Join Date: 2003-08-15 Member: 19760Members
Join Date: 2003-08-15 Member: 19760Members
in Discussions
<div class="IPBDescription">Should she be imprisoned?</div> For those not familiar with the story, Samantha Marson:
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Jailed Student 'Joked Three Times About Bomb in Bag'
By Peter Woodman, Air Correspondent, PA News
A British student is being held in an American jail after allegedly joking three times about having a bomb in her aircraft luggage.
Samantha Marson, 21, originally from Bridgnorth, Shropshire, was arrested before boarding a London-bound British Airways flight at Miami airport.
According to the arrest report, Ms Marson placed her carry-on bag on the belt at a security check, telling a Transportation Security Administration screener: “Hey be careful, I have three bombs in here.”
Asked to repeat herself, she allegedly made the same statement twice more.
Ms Marson was arrested for making a false bomb report on Saturday and was taken to Miami-Dade County Jail. She will be released on bail if she can come up with a £2,700 bond.
Her next court date was scheduled for February 6. Jail officials did not have information on whether she had a lawyer.
Ms Marson’s father, Jim, 75, told The Sun: “We are beside ourselves with worry. She phoned at about 3am on Sunday and was hysterical.
“I’m sure Samantha will accept that it’s a silly thing to say but she’s the sort of girl who might have thought it would make people laugh.”
She had been in the USA for three months with her American boyfriend and was returning to the UK to renew her visa.
A Foreign Office spokesman said today: “We are seeking more information from the American authorities and we are also wanting to speak to the family.
“We will offer her any assistance we can and ensure that she is being properly treated. But it is up to US authorities if they decide to arrest someone for making allegations.”
Both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic warned today of the dangers of joking about security.
A BA spokeswoman said: “We will strongly advise all passengers not to make any remarks which could be misinterpreted. American authorities take this sort of thing very seriously.”
A Virgin spokesman said: “With security levels so high at present, there are certain things you do not joke about.
“Most Britons having had years of heightened security would realise that you have to be extremely careful about what you say.”
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Some of the American judges were quoted as saying that 18 months imprisonment was a common sentence for this offence -> but to me it seems like a joke gone wrong?
Is this an example of how America is becoming obsessivly paranoid about security, or is it an example of how silly U.K. students (such as myself) can be?
Any feedback would be nice :-)
And on an unrelated note; have any of you noticed how un-friendly the forum mods/admins are becoming now?
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->
Jailed Student 'Joked Three Times About Bomb in Bag'
By Peter Woodman, Air Correspondent, PA News
A British student is being held in an American jail after allegedly joking three times about having a bomb in her aircraft luggage.
Samantha Marson, 21, originally from Bridgnorth, Shropshire, was arrested before boarding a London-bound British Airways flight at Miami airport.
According to the arrest report, Ms Marson placed her carry-on bag on the belt at a security check, telling a Transportation Security Administration screener: “Hey be careful, I have three bombs in here.”
Asked to repeat herself, she allegedly made the same statement twice more.
Ms Marson was arrested for making a false bomb report on Saturday and was taken to Miami-Dade County Jail. She will be released on bail if she can come up with a £2,700 bond.
Her next court date was scheduled for February 6. Jail officials did not have information on whether she had a lawyer.
Ms Marson’s father, Jim, 75, told The Sun: “We are beside ourselves with worry. She phoned at about 3am on Sunday and was hysterical.
“I’m sure Samantha will accept that it’s a silly thing to say but she’s the sort of girl who might have thought it would make people laugh.”
She had been in the USA for three months with her American boyfriend and was returning to the UK to renew her visa.
A Foreign Office spokesman said today: “We are seeking more information from the American authorities and we are also wanting to speak to the family.
“We will offer her any assistance we can and ensure that she is being properly treated. But it is up to US authorities if they decide to arrest someone for making allegations.”
Both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic warned today of the dangers of joking about security.
A BA spokeswoman said: “We will strongly advise all passengers not to make any remarks which could be misinterpreted. American authorities take this sort of thing very seriously.”
A Virgin spokesman said: “With security levels so high at present, there are certain things you do not joke about.
“Most Britons having had years of heightened security would realise that you have to be extremely careful about what you say.”
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Some of the American judges were quoted as saying that 18 months imprisonment was a common sentence for this offence -> but to me it seems like a joke gone wrong?
Is this an example of how America is becoming obsessivly paranoid about security, or is it an example of how silly U.K. students (such as myself) can be?
Any feedback would be nice :-)
And on an unrelated note; have any of you noticed how un-friendly the forum mods/admins are becoming now?
Comments
It's not paranoia if people are out to get you.
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I doubt that the people around her, who were not in on "the joke", would find this as funny.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Some of the American judges were quoted as saying that 18 months imprisonment was a common sentence for this offence -> but to me it seems like a joke gone wrong?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If charges are filed she'll face a judge. If she is repentant she'll probably get a fine and be released. If she starts to play games with a lawyer, she'll probably do jail time. Making bomb jokes with your friends is one thing, making bomb jokes to airline baggage inspectors is definately not funny. And just for the record, it wasn't funny prior to the WTC attacks either. Stupid, yes. Funny, no.
<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->And on an unrelated note; have any of you noticed how un-friendly the forum mods/admins are becoming now?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They were friendly? <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
But for an act of stupidity, 18 months and a criminal record is pretty harsh.
*Not wishing to start a flame war* but I think only America and possibly Isreal would take such a stance. True; they're behaving as such because they're a target, but *lets face it* at heart it was a joke. I'm pretty sure there was no malice involved.
Just my 2cents thats all
She wasn't expressing an opinion, she was (allegedly) threatening criminal activity. The US supreme court has repeatedly backed up the difference.
Harsh isn't how I'd describe it.
Going by what the article tells us, it's completely absurd. Granted, it wasn't funny, but an 18 month sentence? It's beyond laughable. I can only imagine that she didn't give any indication whatsoever that it was a joke before being arrested, at which point, it was too late. Guess you'd have had to be there to make a reasonable argument for or against her.
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No. Care to cite an example?
On the topic, well on the one hand it was a pretty dumb thing to say. Sort of like going into a cafe in Tel Aviv wearing a trenchcoat then throwing it open and shouting "BANG". Both examples are in poor taste and quesitonable legality. However, that said, 18 months is a pretty big sentance for something like this. I believe the accused should however recieve a criminal sentance if, of course, she committed a crime.
Yes, but this is more in line with going into a crowded movie theater and shouting "FIRE!". The courts have decided that such an act is not protected speech.
Hopefully she'll only get a fine... But that is not something to joke about, that is why the penalty is so stiff. It's not a laughing matter.
" Nem and I have discussed it, and we're going to start handing out temp suspensions for people that have obviously failed to read other people's previous posts. There are no more warnings, no more second chances. If we feel that you have broken rule #6, we will cut your access to this Discussion forum for at least 7 days, and probably much longer. If you are unfamiliar with rule #6, I suggest you get hot re-reading the FAQ rules.
Slack time is over - we are prepared to clean house here, no matter who you are. "
:-S scary, our teddy-bear cuddling, fun-loving admins seem to have metamorphised into draconian tyrants of the board.
The US may be a bit neurotic about it, but its a matter of "better safe than sorry". That's how it is, and my guess will be that she will be found guilty, bc chances are good they are going to make an example of her.
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the moderation team has always been friendly and open, except when you break the rules
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Nah, it's just their attempt at stopping people from waltzing into a topic and continually posting innane rants without having the respect and dignity to read others' responses fully.
We as humans have this tendancy to get so caught up in our personal stream of thought, we simply do not accept any deviation of said stream. Since looking at another's arguement will surely require a change in the stream to accomodate the new data, things are often overlooked whether subconciously or of our own free will. The most common excuse is easily "There's just too much to read" or some twist of the same sentance. When the non-reader's thoughts are then posted anyway it is simply a sign of child-like selfishness, as the non-reader believes his/her own thoughts superior regardless of the existance of proof that might refute them.
But about Samantha Marson, I've joked about carrying bombs and such before but only around close friends who knew I was joking. Doing such a thing around complete strangers that may have no real means of detecting your warped sense of humor is....stupidity on the jokster's part.
Punishment should come, but I think at most being detained a couple days and a minor fine would have been sufficient to get the point across. Things only get worse when the media gets involved, and/or the government wants to set an example. *sigh*
There's aleady been a storm of public opinion in the U.K about how some people are fingerprinted at aiports (even to the extent that people I know will refuse to go the US). I think making an example of Samantha by giving her the maximum sentence would only make things worse, not better.
Note: This was my first started-discussion, and was quite pleased with the quality of the response's, thanx guys :-)
Yeah, I have seen decline a decline in friendliness in general. Yeah it's annoying that people post something that has been wildly discussed before. But I really dont consider it such a huge plague. However it's annoying when you have slaved it trough but apparently have missed a point or forgotten it and gets the. Or simply doesnt consider the points made by the parties. "Yo, rule #6 Pal, deleted." - I think it limits my freedom and basis for good discussion.
In The assault gun thread I think Monser got alittle heated, dont ask me to cite examples.
In response the all the "it's their forum, their rules, live with it" comments that will undoubtly come. I'm just discussing my view.
On-Topic I will statement my personal opinion.
If she indeed told the airport controller she got a bomb trice she should be fined. If she however simply said it once as a sarcastic remark she should let go with a warning (most countries dont trial persons for this)
I'd like to answer that with a question: Has anyone else in here noticed how a number of people spend their whole time in Disc. violating any rule put up to keep this forum productive?
By the way, any specific complaint about this should be brought up in PM, or it'll get quite messy soon. Note that we are not going to throw you out for forgetting to adress a single point (Mons and myself would've been the first restricted members around in that case), but for simple, obvious ignorance of other peoples posts.
--
As for the main topic, to quote one of the few good military movies out there: "My client is an idiot. That's not against the law."
We have heard and said that this joke was in bad taste so often by now that I won't have to dwell on it, but what damage did arise from it?
Were any humans in danger at any point of the incident? Well, Mrs. Marson, from the moment she used the word 'bomb' near an armed security officer, but aside from her?
Was there a chance of property damage?
The worst thing that could arise from this situation was a somewhat increased delay of a flight. Delivering a penalty of 18 months for that is simply so far out of scale that I'd believe it to be a joke if a friend told me. Someone will now answer "Yes, but it's against the law...", and I'll answer that laws are not set in stone. Losing one and a half year of your life for making a bad joke - losing one and a half year of your life for <i>anything</i> nobody could be harmed by - is just, excuse the harsh word, crazy.
It's not making justice anymore, it's making examples, and that usually tells you more about the judge than the offender.
lets be realistic.
<i>what kind of real terrorist would openly admit to having a bomb in her bag.</i>
It boggles the mind...
The problem here is, the people who work there are not paid to have a sense of humor. They're paid to protect us.
When was the last time you walked up to a police officer and told him you were going to pull a gun out of your pocket and shoot him in the face? I'm sure a great chuckle would be had by all.
GAME OVER MAN GAME OVER
//GAME OVER MAN GAME OVER
Major point: 'seeing how america is cracking down' -> this is the crux of the problem. People's sentences should *not* depend on the political climate. Yes, she should be punished. But most *definitely* not be victimised (given an excessive sentence) simply to act as a deterent (sp). That's like a teacher giving an entire class detention for a month because someone flung a pencil at the teacher and no-one owned up; the punishment is completely out-of-proportion to the crime, and instead following the path of 'justice' follows the path of politcs.
Minor point: Miss Marson is a U.K national; and so is not eligible for community service (at least; if she was sentenced to community service she would need a visa/lodgings/job/support etc) (in the U.S at least).
Thanks all -> I never expected to recieve such quality responses
Edit: I really should learn how to use the 'Quote' feature
The problem here is, the people who work there are not paid to have a sense of humor. They're paid to protect us.
When was the last time you walked up to a police officer and told him you were going to pull a gun out of your pocket and shoot him in the face? I'm sure a great chuckle would be had by all. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
They did a good job at 11/9.
Besides threatening a police officer and possibly joking (more obvious than your example) arent the same thing.
She wasn't expressing an opinion, she was (allegedly) threatening criminal activity. The US supreme court has repeatedly backed up the difference. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
O come on, she did not threaten anyone. Sure, legally she COULD be sued for breaking the law, but in upholding the law, following the general goal ( in dutch we would say something like the spirit of the law) is just as important (if not more so) as following the rules letter by letter. And surely the law did not intent to prohibit someone from making a joke.
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Key idea: <Deterence>
Now class, what was a major proponent of Nuclear Weapons,
Was it Deterence?
GJ BILLY!!!!
Now lets link the concepts!!!! Deterence + Nuclear Weapons = COLD WAR!!! WOOHOOO!!!!!
Now lets do some algebra. Substitute "Death Penalty" for "Nuclear Weapons" and "Police State" for "Cold War"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Man facing fine = Angry
Man facing Jail = Desperate
Man facing Death = Nothing to lose
--- MEH
Well I for one think that this is getting to the point where it is truely ridiculous. She made a dumb mistake, but I don't feel (as it seems many here also) she should be thrown in prison for it. I agree that a heightened security should come down on people like her, but she should only suffer a large fine and perhaps be banned from entering America for a while. Throwing her in prison for a stupid (very stupid) mistake is probably too harsh.
Then again, I don't know the exact circumstances about it? Perhaps it could of had dire consequences as someone perhaps panicked or a security guard got trigger happy? In that case maybe what she did endangered the lives of others too and perhaps this 'mistake' does warrant jail time, but maybe not 18 months.
As for the rest of the mewling in here about how mean those darned admins are - get over yourselves, kids. If I see another one of these ridiculous posts, 'll just suspend your account, then you can go beg Nem for it back; he's much nicer and more level-headed than I am. I'm the bad cop - keep it in mind and we'll do just fine. If it's that big a deal, go make your own forums and do whatever you want there. You're on private property.
I would have to disagree with you on this one Nem. I do believe that after making those jokes she deserved to have ALL of her luggage check. Even if they thought it was a joke. Imagine if, by some chance, she did have a bomb in her bag, and they didn't check here even after her little bomb joke and she blew up a plane. It would of been leaked to the media that this woman was allowed to board a plane, without getting her luggage checked, after she made "bomb threats". Then the USA's defence against terrorism would become the laughing stack of the world. It would be even worse then the US choosing to ignore "3 foreign man wanting to learn how to fly a plane but not land or take off"
IMO, which, as we know is worthless <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->, is that its a stupid cultural gaffe. Her having been asked 3 times to repeat what she said and continuing to say "I've got 3 bombs in there" as a joke rates right up there with the comedy greats. Like Leprosy, or SIDS. Moron.
I'd prefer she was made an example of, or at least prevented from breeding.
There are some things you don't do at airports, using mobiles on planes for example, or smuggling metallic items through the metal detector. Perhaps its a failing of the British tourist industry that it wasn't made clear, but nonetheless joking about explosives is out too.