Comments on: It’s all about the words you choose

By: Administrator

Administrator — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 02:52:55 +0000

Matt,

I understand your point of view, but I disagree with it.

Star Simpson didn’t yell “FIRE” in a crowded theater. The reaction to her LED name badge was not an intended consequence. As such, I don’ think it’s reasonable for the justice system to charge her with possessing a hoax bomb - she never intended it to resemble a bomb.

We do need to deal with legitimate threats appropriately, but this was not a legitimate threat. As soon as the authorities realized that it wasn’t a threat and it was not intended as such, they should have dropped all charges.

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 11:21:42 +0000

Whatever you may believe about sensational journalism and the overbearing government, you must realize two things: 1) this girl is a student at MIT - must be pretty smart. She should have been smart enough to understand that a rational person does not wear an electronic device that could possibly resemble a bomb into an airport. TSA does not pay too well so we cannot expect these people to be smart enough to tell the difference between a real and fake bomb.
2) This was described in most of the stories I read as a piece of “art” and all of the anti-Bush crowd has been screaming about the First amendment and freedom of expression. The first Amendment does not protect speech that can cause physical harm to others. This is the equivalent of yelling “Fire” in a crowded theater. You remember that day about 6 years ago when 2 planes took off from Logan and killed hundreds of my co-workers? So do the security guys at Logan. I applaud the TSA for arresting her and anyone else who is either stupid enough to indicate that they could take down a plane or anyone malicious enough to actually try to do so. Arrest them, control them, then sort out the details. The inconvenience of one or two people with bad judgement id much less important than the lives of the thousands traveling through that airport that day that could be killed if the TSA didn’t respond to every potential threat equally.

By: Administrator

Administrator — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 03:29:46 +0000

To those of you who disagree with my statements and have responded to me personally, I would just like to say - Thank You.

This is one of those very emotional and political issues that can easily lead to name-calling and invectives, but everyone who’s responded to me has been very courteous and more interested in presenting their viewpoint than denigrating mine. I appreciate that.

By: kate

kate — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:00:39 +0000

Hmm… as a Bostonian, I am amazed at the level of stupidity that boston area students present. I think I take the approach of “an ounce of prevention” can save a lot of lives. A few years ago (like 10 or 12?) a few college kids got on the T with very real looking play guns. The elderly woman who had a heart attack on the train probably didn’t think it was art. I am all for freedom of expression, but not when it jeopardizes the safety of the public as a whole. I think you might have a different opinion if it were your airport, in your town.

By: Kath

Kath — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:58:32 +0000

I saw the headline for that story and dug a little deeper, reading several different news accounts. Unfortunately, most people don’t do that and the sensationalized version is what they get.

From what I understand, the shirt/jacket/whatever was created for a purpose (not surprising for an MIT student) and she was still wearing it when she went to pick up her boyfriend at the airport. (”Look what I made honey, itdn’t it cool?”) I agree with David, the board looks about as much like a bomb as those little flashing light pendants/earrings/whatever people wear during the holiday season.

I’ll admit to being a bit biased against the TSA because I can’t seem to get through an airport without being thoroughly screened, wanded, singled out, etc., and if you saw me you’d understand how ridiculous that is. I do think they overreacted and turned something simple into a major issue. So if as an artist - she manages to get PR coverage for this, well then good for her! And I certainly hope her attorney is a good one.

I’m just wondering how long it will take some other artist to get the breadboard design up on Cafe Press!

By: Bridget

Bridget — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:12:11 +0000

While I agree with IRV’s assessment of the Bush administration, the news story I saw said that Star was wearing something strapped under her clothing, simulating a suicide bomber, and that she was playing with playdough (which may not have any resemblance to plastic explosives, (I wouldn’t know) but is not something one ordinarily carries to the airport, either). The fact that this woman is described as a performance artist seems to indicate that she was going for a reaction; perhaps she misjudged the kind of reaction she would get.

And, yeah, I’m scared by the increasing number of government agencies that can lock you up and throw away the key without having to prove anything in court. Used to be only the IRS could do that…..

By: IRV

IRV — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:55:08 +0000

It’s the Bush administration’s inability to handle anything! This is the worst administration in our history & they want to rewrite the constitution & strip us of all our rights.

By: Administrator

Administrator — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:45:53 +0000

Lolajl,

Part of my point is that the LCD badge she was wearing doesn’t even look like a bomb.

By: Lolajl

Lolajl — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:41:56 +0000

Do you really want to take the chance that the “fake” bomb could in fact be a real bomb?

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:19:49 +0000

I agree with you, David, on the point that sensationalism and fear-mongering are irresponsible motives for news reporting and law enforcement. Makes me seriously wonder just where we are going in this handbasket.