There's a prominent sign at my local airport here in the UK at departures which effectively says: don't even joke about it. So, yes, she should have known better. As for an 18 month sentence - harsh.
EpidemicDark Force GorgeJoin Date: 2003-06-29Member: 17781Members
<!--QuoteBegin--MonsieurEvil+Jan 21 2004, 05:57 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (MonsieurEvil @ Jan 21 2004, 05:57 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> As for the rest of the mewling in here about how mean those darned admins are - get over yourselves, kids. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Man, you exceeds the maximum allowed irony in a single post!
<!--QuoteBegin--Aries86+Jan 21 2004, 06:01 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Aries86 @ Jan 21 2004, 06:01 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--Nemesis Zero+Jan 20 2004, 03:55 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Nemesis Zero @ Jan 20 2004, 03:55 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Nobody doubts that Mrs. Marsons joke was stupid. Nobody doubts that taking her into custody and checking her luggage was unreasonable (although it <i>is</i> obvious it was a joke). What we are split about is the perspective of doing prison time over that. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> 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" <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Upon re-reading my post, you'll notice that I'm using a doubled negative; I said that nobody doubts she should be checked throughoutly.
By the way, I'm getting a little aggrevated by the 'bad joke, she deserves what she gets' posts - <i><b>we all know it was a bad joke!</b></i> Could you stop riding around on that and start explaining to me in how far a 18 months sentence is in scale to that?
By the way, there's a big difference between using a cellphone in a plane - which can lead to quite severe accidents - and the incident we're discussing here, which can not.
If the punishment for telling a bad joke is 18 months, and you tell a bad joke, then expect an 18 month sentence.
If you want to argue it as a human rights abuse Nem, then fine, but if you travel to the US and breach another law (jaywalking for example) then you'd expect to be punished for it. Its a black and white issue. Maybe its not <i>fair</i> but it is justifiable.
<!--QuoteBegin--Nemesis Zero+Jan 21 2004, 02:06 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Nemesis Zero @ Jan 21 2004, 02:06 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Nobody doubts that Mrs. Marsons joke was stupid. Nobody doubts that taking her into custody and checking her luggage was unreasonable <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> sorry to be an english nazi. I thought the same aries, it looks like your saying 'everyone thinks its unreasonable'. [/ot]
why could they not just serach her bag after she mentioned the bomb, rather than having her arrested. I know it was in poor taste, and I know she may have paniced people/ cause a little extra work for some airport security, but to my eyes arresting someone and making them pay at least £3000 (ALOT of money) (possibly a stint in jail) for saying the wrong thing to the wrong people is absurd.
what next? arresed for mentioning the word 'terrorist' in a public place? questioning your government? well, you get the picture...
EpidemicDark Force GorgeJoin Date: 2003-06-29Member: 17781Members
<!--QuoteBegin--[tbZ]BeAst+Jan 21 2004, 03:23 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> ([tbZ]BeAst @ Jan 21 2004, 03:23 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> If the punishment for telling a bad joke is 18 months, and you tell a bad joke, then expect an 18 month sentence.
<!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Justifiable? Dont make me cry. And thanks for bringing up the law, but I didnt miss that at the first post. Laws are in place to be fair and protect other people. 1 1/2 years is a long time for one as young as she for simply making a sarcastic remark. This reminds me of the lord of the middleage <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
SpoogeThunderbolt missile in your cheeriosJoin Date: 2002-01-25Member: 67Members
Let's get some things cleared up here. First, the "18 month jail sentence" was not in the initial article. As it turns out, I've found a number of articles that suggest a maximum of 15 years (feel free to let your collective heads explode--but hold on there's more). I would hope that would make more than a few people think twice before "joking" or being "sarcastic" about bombs in an airport.
Now, the reports are few and far between which leads me to believe that reporters are filling in gaps themselves. It could be an editorial twist but I'm getting the impression this girl isn't carrying all her marbles if you know what I mean.
Anyway, let's not get our panties in a bunch here. She will be speaking with a lawyer and she will stand before a judge and the judge will hear her plea. As I said before, if she is cooperative she will probably be sent home with a firm warning. If she continues to act like an idiot, she could very well spend some time in a Florida jail. Even if she is an antagonistic spoiled brat, no judge is going to put her in jail for 15 years.
But, I'm not the judge or the prosecutor so I can't be sure what will happen. I suggest we wait until after her Feb 6 court date to critisize the legal system.
18 months was quoted on BBC as the recommended sentence for 'threatening a bomb scare' -> which Is what she is being charged with.
I am not sure where thr '15 years' came from -> but I think that is just plain silly.
As for ''m getting the impression this girl isn't carrying all her marbles if you know what I mean.'
--- she's a student! Come on, haha student's are not known for their common-sense *cough* specially from the U.K *cough* -> but nothing that warrents criminal charges
15 years was also quoted on the beeb too.: <!--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--> A spokesman for the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office said she faces a maximum of 15 years in state prison if convicted. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> She's been released on bail for now.
SpoogeThunderbolt missile in your cheeriosJoin Date: 2002-01-25Member: 67Members
Here's a few clips I've found: <!--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-->Ed Griffith, of the Miami State Attorney's Office, said: "She could leave the jail for $500 as long as she returns for her court hearings. That's not a lot really - just £300. If she pleads guilty it could end there and then.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> <a href='http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/content_objectid=13840209_method=full_siteid=50143_headline=-AIR-BOMB-JOKE-GIRL-S-JAIL-HOPE-name_page.html' target='_blank'>The Mirror article</a>
<!--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-->A British student who faces up to 15 years in jail for allegedly joking she had bombs in her aircraft baggage was released from custody on bail today, US authorities said.....A corrections official said bail was set at £2,700 but Marson could have paid as little as £275 if bailed by a bonding agency.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> <a href='http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2435852' target='_blank'>Scotsman article</a>
Sounds like the Florida State's Attorney's Office is going to let her decide her fate. Plead guilty=warning (as I suggested earlier) Plead innocent=trial and if found guilty, possible jail time (as I suggested earlier). This doesn't mean I agree with a jail sentence. It's just the facts.
Hmm, if she goes to trial, she could very well be made an example. Examples are made by governments who feel they are being criticized by the public for missing some critical point, fact, issue, or goal. They are usually intended mainly as an example to keep law abiding citizens in line, and they have this added effect of giving real terrorists that extra rush of adrenaline, making them ready to start the day before they go back to the bomb factory, almost like coffee. You see, we tend to have this attitude that if we show others how serious we are, they will think twice about messing with us. But you see, taht attitude really doesnt work on someone who has been brainwashed into thinking that all that stands between him and paradise is the push of a button, and that he will be rewarded immensely when he meets his maker. So in essence the message we are REALLY sending is, Come on over, we can help you reach god that much faster!
I still maintian its a gaffe thats cultural in nature. I'll use going topless on a beach in Iran as a comparison, you wouldn't do it, and if you did, you'd expect the Iranian authorities to take a dim view.
How can it be a cultural gaffe? In essence, the UK and US cultures are the same.
O - We brits (mostly) are informed of current affairs, we have many newspapers and TV news shows. to plead ignorance of the situation is laughable.
O - It was well publicised that the US had stepped up security over the holiday period (the resultant delays were quite big news)
O - it's not the first time since 9/11 that a UK citizen has got in trouble for joking about carrying bombs.
O - we've had this little problem known as the IRA (and its splinter groups) for around 20+ years. We know from terrorism. You just don't make jokes like that in any place where it will be taken *seriously* by the authorities.
face it. it wasn't a cultural gaffe, She was dumb. really really grade A++ stupid. every country has it's idiots. maybe 18 months is too harsh, maybe it isn't... would it send a message to all the other comedians out there? probably. and that is A Good Thing
X_StickmanNot good enough for a custom title.Join Date: 2003-04-15Member: 15533Members, Constellation
I quote the good website somethingawful.com, from a guide explaining air travel and airports:
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Question: "Have all your bags been personally packed by you?"
Correct Answer: "Yes." Also Acceptable: "Yes, and I didn't pack any bombs either, if that's what you're insinuating." Also Acceptable: "Yes, and I am also able to cut and chew food by myself! Aren't I amazing?" Incorrect Answer: "No." Very Incorrect Answer: "I am a terrorist."
Question: "Are you carrying any bags which have been given to you by someone you don't know or have been out of your possession?"
Correct Answer: "No." Also Acceptable: "I don't let nobody touch my bags, if you catch my drift." (Winking) Less Acceptable: "I talked to the guy at the tram for at least 20 minutes, so I think I know him pretty well by this point." Incorrect Answer: "The United States is a white devil that must perish in the flames of righteousness." <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Now, if someone said that to you in a sarcastic voice, they're joking. You know they are. The maximum you'd do really is give their bags a quick check to make sure they're not pulling a double bluff on you.
I simply can't believe that this woman walked up and said "yes i have 3 bombs in my bag" with a perfectly straight face and not using any sarcastic undertones at all. I also can't believe that she said "I have 3 bombs in my bag" three times, i feel there's a bit of media overkill there. It was most likely a case of:
"heh, watch out, i've got three bombs in there?" "What? Really?" <sarcasm> "Yeahhhh...." </sarcasm>.
I'm sure you all get the picture. No one in their right mind would do something that stupid without making it totally clear that they're joking. And if she isn't sane, then she shouldn't have been travelling or checking in without the proper care. This is just overkill in my opinion.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> How can it be a cultural gaffe? In essence, the UK and US cultures are the same. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Am I supposed to read beyond this point and still take you seriously?
Sorry if it sounds harsh, but it should be self evident they are not.
Zig...I am Captain Planet!Join Date: 2002-10-23Member: 1576Members
this isn't about security.
this is about america's image.
if america only accosted arabs and turban-clad men, we would appear to be "selective" in our anti-terrorism.
if you didn't notice, i was using sarcasm.
truth: if the terrorists were all black guys (say, africans), then we would still randomly search old white ladies and chinese and <i>whatever</i>.
i personally think this is bullsh*t.
the girl should be let go, no trial, no nothing.
this is the taxpayers' money going to waste over our IMAGE as a secure country, ffs.
our IMAGE doesn't matter, it's the SECURITY that matters.. personally i don't think our nation is secure if we regularly arrest innocent people for cracking jokes.
<!--QuoteBegin-Ryo-Ohki+Jan 20 2004, 11:35 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Ryo-Ohki @ Jan 20 2004, 11:35 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> 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. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> I know I'm weird, and I guess I shouldn't but I find that "BANG" thing funny. Not in a 'hey, lets go pretend we're bombers' thing but a 'hey look, BANG, I'm flashing you under my trenchcoat!' thing.
I also concur with the "18 months is too long" opinion. I can see comedians saying the same thing as Nem's post, if she does get 18 months. I'd let her off with a fine, because it was obviously a joke, no one was hurt and she's a foreign citizen. I'd consider this more like being in a theatre with your friend and saying, "dude, it'd be funny if there were a fire!" retarded teenager statement. She didn't step out of the baggage check line and shout, "Everybody get down, now! I've got 3 bombs in my bag!"
That'd be 18 months.
[edit] <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I think she should. Why, on God's green earth, would you joke about a bomb, especially during an international crisis? <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
WTC attack in 2001...it's what now, 2004....so, how long does an international crisis last?
Come on, do you visit the white house and joke about killing the pres? No, its not the place to do it. Othello brought up the yelling "fire" in the theater example, and it applies here. Why should anyone within ear shot have to be scared about a bomb. Yes she was joking, but if someone just heard the word bomb; they would be freak and could even cancel their flight. Its like those 3 guys in florida joking about having a bomb, causing a big uproar.
As for the punishment, I do no think she will do any time. She pleads quilty and maybe pays a fine. I honestly don't care what punishment she gets. Stupidity, however, is no defense.
This is more like whispering to your friend sitting next to you "Hey, there's fire" in the theatre.
It's a bad joke, but everyone KNOWS it's a terrible joke. She was NOT threatening anyone with a bomb. If she went to a broadcast room, grabbed the microphone, yell "There's a freaking bomb in my bag", that's one thing.
British student Samantha Marson, who was arrested after “joking” that she was taking bombs onto an aircraft was heading to Britain tonight after agreeing to a plea bargain.
Marson’s lawyer, Oscar Sanchez, said the 21-year-old had met the conditions of the deal, which were to donate about £550 to a September 11 victims fund and write a letter of apology.
An order that she must return to court on Friday, to prove that she had met the terms, was waived, he said and she caught a flight to Britain.
“She has been given permission to leave, and her appearance was no longer required,” he said. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
There we are. Just as I suggested. Apologize and all is forgiven. Lawyer up and you'd better not let go of the soap.
Don't worry spooge, no one will offer any retractions or apologies. That would be too mature. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
SpoogeThunderbolt missile in your cheeriosJoin Date: 2002-01-25Member: 67Members
Ack! I didn't mean apologize to me <!--emo&:0--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif' /><!--endemo-->
I was speaking in terms of how one would present themselves to a trial judge in a case like this. Maybe I should start with the super wordiness diction talk again <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
She should have gotten 20 years for being so incredibly stupid. By the time she returns to Britian, there'd be a good chance she wouldn't breed since she'd be 41, practically in the grave... right Monse? <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Its nice to see it was resolved without a massive jail sentence for being stupid. She learned her lesson and was an example to others.
Comments
Man, you exceeds the maximum allowed irony in a single post!
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" <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Upon re-reading my post, you'll notice that I'm using a doubled negative; I said that nobody doubts she should be checked throughoutly.
By the way, I'm getting a little aggrevated by the 'bad joke, she deserves what she gets' posts - <i><b>we all know it was a bad joke!</b></i> Could you stop riding around on that and start explaining to me in how far a 18 months sentence is in scale to that?
By the way, there's a big difference between using a cellphone in a plane - which can lead to quite severe accidents - and the incident we're discussing here, which can not.
If you want to argue it as a human rights abuse Nem, then fine, but if you travel to the US and breach another law (jaywalking for example) then you'd expect to be punished for it. Its a black and white issue. Maybe its not <i>fair</i> but it is justifiable.
sorry to be an english nazi. I thought the same aries, it looks like your saying 'everyone thinks its unreasonable'. [/ot]
why could they not just serach her bag after she mentioned the bomb, rather than having her arrested.
I know it was in poor taste, and I know she may have paniced people/ cause a little extra work for some airport security, but to my eyes arresting someone and making them pay at least £3000 (ALOT of money) (possibly a stint in jail) for saying the wrong thing to the wrong people is absurd.
what next? arresed for mentioning the word 'terrorist' in a public place? questioning your government? well, you get the picture...
<!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Justifiable? Dont make me cry. And thanks for bringing up the law, but I didnt miss that at the first post.
Laws are in place to be fair and protect other people. 1 1/2 years is a long time for one as young as she for simply making a sarcastic remark. This reminds me of the lord of the middleage <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
Now, the reports are few and far between which leads me to believe that reporters are filling in gaps themselves. It could be an editorial twist but I'm getting the impression this girl isn't carrying all her marbles if you know what I mean.
Anyway, let's not get our panties in a bunch here. She will be speaking with a lawyer and she will stand before a judge and the judge will hear her plea. As I said before, if she is cooperative she will probably be sent home with a firm warning. If she continues to act like an idiot, she could very well spend some time in a Florida jail. Even if she is an antagonistic spoiled brat, no judge is going to put her in jail for 15 years.
But, I'm not the judge or the prosecutor so I can't be sure what will happen. I suggest we wait until after her Feb 6 court date to critisize the legal system.
18 months was quoted on BBC as the recommended sentence for 'threatening a bomb scare' -> which Is what she is being charged with.
I am not sure where thr '15 years' came from -> but I think that is just plain silly.
As for ''m getting the impression this girl isn't carrying all her marbles if you know what I mean.'
--- she's a student! Come on, haha student's are not known for their common-sense *cough* specially from the U.K *cough* -> but nothing that warrents criminal charges
<!--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-->
A spokesman for the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office said she faces a maximum of 15 years in state prison if convicted.
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
She's been released on bail for 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-->Ed Griffith, of the Miami State Attorney's Office, said: "She could leave the jail for $500 as long as she returns for her court hearings. That's not a lot really - just £300. If she pleads guilty it could end there and then.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<a href='http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/content_objectid=13840209_method=full_siteid=50143_headline=-AIR-BOMB-JOKE-GIRL-S-JAIL-HOPE-name_page.html' target='_blank'>The Mirror article</a>
<!--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-->A British student who faces up to 15 years in jail for allegedly joking she had bombs in her aircraft baggage was released from custody on bail today, US authorities said.....A corrections official said bail was set at £2,700 but Marson could have paid as little as £275 if bailed by a bonding agency.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<a href='http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2435852' target='_blank'>Scotsman article</a>
Sounds like the Florida State's Attorney's Office is going to let her decide her fate. Plead guilty=warning (as I suggested earlier) Plead innocent=trial and if found guilty, possible jail time (as I suggested earlier). This doesn't mean I agree with a jail sentence. It's just the facts.
Examples are made by governments who feel they are being criticized by the public for missing some critical point, fact, issue, or goal. They are usually intended mainly as an example to keep law abiding citizens in line, and they have this added effect of giving real terrorists that extra rush of adrenaline, making them ready to start the day before they go back to the bomb factory, almost like coffee. You see, we tend to have this attitude that if we show others how serious we are, they will think twice about messing with us. But you see, taht attitude really doesnt work on someone who has been brainwashed into thinking that all that stands between him and paradise is the push of a button, and that he will be rewarded immensely when he meets his maker. So in essence the message we are REALLY sending is, Come on over, we can help you reach god that much faster!
I still maintian its a gaffe thats cultural in nature. I'll use going topless on a beach in Iran as a comparison, you wouldn't do it, and if you did, you'd expect the Iranian authorities to take a dim view.
Its the same thing. (almost . IMO.)
O - We brits (mostly) are informed of current affairs, we have many newspapers and TV news shows. to plead ignorance of the situation is laughable.
O - It was well publicised that the US had stepped up security over the holiday period (the resultant delays were quite big news)
O - it's not the first time since 9/11 that a UK citizen has got in trouble for joking about carrying bombs.
O - we've had this little problem known as the IRA (and its splinter groups) for around 20+ years. We know from terrorism. You just don't make jokes like that in any place where it will be taken *seriously* by the authorities.
face it. it wasn't a cultural gaffe, She was dumb. really really grade A++ stupid. every country has it's idiots.
maybe 18 months is too harsh, maybe it isn't... would it send a message to all the other comedians out there? probably. and that is A Good Thing
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Question: "Have all your bags been personally packed by you?"
Correct Answer: "Yes."
Also Acceptable: "Yes, and I didn't pack any bombs either, if that's what you're insinuating."
Also Acceptable: "Yes, and I am also able to cut and chew food by myself! Aren't I amazing?"
Incorrect Answer: "No."
Very Incorrect Answer: "I am a terrorist."
Question: "Are you carrying any bags which have been given to you by someone you don't know or have been out of your possession?"
Correct Answer: "No."
Also Acceptable: "I don't let nobody touch my bags, if you catch my drift." (Winking)
Less Acceptable: "I talked to the guy at the tram for at least 20 minutes, so I think I know him pretty well by this point."
Incorrect Answer: "The United States is a white devil that must perish in the flames of righteousness."
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Now, if someone said that to you in a sarcastic voice, they're joking. You know they are. The maximum you'd do really is give their bags a quick check to make sure they're not pulling a double bluff on you.
I simply can't believe that this woman walked up and said "yes i have 3 bombs in my bag" with a perfectly straight face and not using any sarcastic undertones at all. I also can't believe that she said "I have 3 bombs in my bag" three times, i feel there's a bit of media overkill there. It was most likely a case of:
"heh, watch out, i've got three bombs in there?"
"What? Really?"
<sarcasm> "Yeahhhh...." </sarcasm>.
I'm sure you all get the picture. No one in their right mind would do something that stupid without making it totally clear that they're joking. And if she isn't sane, then she shouldn't have been travelling or checking in without the proper care. This is just overkill in my opinion.
Am I supposed to read beyond this point and still take you seriously?
Sorry if it sounds harsh, but it should be self evident they are not.
this is about america's image.
if america only accosted arabs and turban-clad men, we would appear to be "selective" in our anti-terrorism.
if you didn't notice, i was using sarcasm.
truth: if the terrorists were all black guys (say, africans), then we would still randomly search old white ladies and chinese and <i>whatever</i>.
i personally think this is bullsh*t.
the girl should be let go, no trial, no nothing.
this is the taxpayers' money going to waste over our IMAGE as a secure country, ffs.
our IMAGE doesn't matter, it's the SECURITY that matters.. personally i don't think our nation is secure if we regularly arrest innocent people for cracking jokes.
grade-A, USDA approved bullsh*t.
I know I'm weird, and I guess I shouldn't but I find that "BANG" thing funny. Not in a 'hey, lets go pretend we're bombers' thing but a 'hey look, BANG, I'm flashing you under my trenchcoat!' thing.
I also concur with the "18 months is too long" opinion. I can see comedians saying the same thing as Nem's post, if she does get 18 months. I'd let her off with a fine, because it was obviously a joke, no one was hurt and she's a foreign citizen. I'd consider this more like being in a theatre with your friend and saying, "dude, it'd be funny if there were a fire!" retarded teenager statement. She didn't step out of the baggage check line and shout, "Everybody get down, now! I've got 3 bombs in my bag!"
That'd be 18 months.
[edit] <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I think she should. Why, on God's green earth, would you joke about a bomb, especially during an international crisis? <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
WTC attack in 2001...it's what now, 2004....so, how long does an international crisis last?
she joked... maybe in poor taste.. w/e it was a joke.
and people are so butthurt by that fact... :/
get over it. let the poor girl go without anything.. she dont deserve it
As for the punishment, I do no think she will do any time. She pleads quilty and maybe pays a fine. I honestly don't care what punishment she gets. Stupidity, however, is no defense.
It's a bad joke, but everyone KNOWS it's a terrible joke. She was NOT threatening anyone with a bomb. If she went to a broadcast room, grabbed the microphone, yell "There's a freaking bomb in my bag", that's one thing.
News from <a href='http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2492807' target='_blank'>The Scotsman.com</a>
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Airport Bombs 'Joke' Student Returning to UK</b>
Wed 4 Feb 2004
British student Samantha Marson, who was arrested after “joking” that she was taking bombs onto an aircraft was heading to Britain tonight after agreeing to a plea bargain.
Marson’s lawyer, Oscar Sanchez, said the 21-year-old had met the conditions of the deal, which were to donate about £550 to a September 11 victims fund and write a letter of apology.
An order that she must return to court on Friday, to prove that she had met the terms, was waived, he said and she caught a flight to Britain.
“She has been given permission to leave, and her appearance was no longer required,” he said.
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
There we are. Just as I suggested. Apologize and all is forgiven. Lawyer up and you'd better not let go of the soap.
I was speaking in terms of how one would present themselves to a trial judge in a case like this.
Maybe I should start with the super wordiness diction talk again <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Well I did! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Its nice to see it was resolved without a massive jail sentence for being stupid. She learned her lesson and was an example to others.