Boston cops make arrest in devices ploy (media terrorist)

Yahoo ^ | 1/31/2007 | KEN MAGUIRE, Associated Press Writer

[tobyhill]

BOSTON - More than 10 blinking electronic devices planted at bridges and other spots in Boston threw a scare into the city Wednesday in what turned out to be a publicity campaign for a late-night cable cartoon. Most if not all of the devices depict a character giving the finger.

Boston police said Wednesday night that one person had been arrested, and authorities scheduled a news conference to provide details.

Highways, bridges and a section of the Charles River were shut down and bomb squads were sent in before authorities declared the devices were harmless.

"It's a hoax — and it's not funny," said Gov. Deval Patrick, who said he'll speak to the state's attorney general "about what recourse we may have."

Turner Broadcasting, a division of Time Warner Inc. and parent of Cartoon Network, said the devices were part of a promotion for the TV show "Aqua Teen Hunger Force," a surreal series about a talking milkshake, a box of fries and a meatball.

"The packages in question are magnetic lights that pose no danger," Turner said in a statement, issued a few hours after reports of the first devices came in.

It said the devices have been in place for two to three weeks in 10 cities: Boston; New York; Los Angeles; Chicago; Atlanta; Seattle; Portland, Ore.; Austin, Texas; San Francisco; and Philadelphia.

"We regret that they were mistakenly thought to pose any danger," the company said. As soon as the company realized the problem, it said, law enforcement officials were told of their locations in all 10 cities.

The marketing firm that put them up has been ordered to remove them immediately, said Phil Kent, Turner chairman.

[ishabibble]

Much appreciated, Condor, it would seem that some people do not realize the just how serious this situation is, and it is a wonder to me that anyone here would watch this cartoon after what has happened here today. First London and hours later, Boston.

But forget that...let's talk about all the neato cartoon characters that Ted Turner has on his new show. It's going to be super kewl, that's what all the kids are saying.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Bill: "The innocent shall suffer...mightily!"

[3niner]

When idiots overreact, they have to save face by prosecuting somebody. Only an idiot would think this is a bomb.

The excuse that it could have been a bomb disguised as a toy won't wash, because the workings are visible. The only thing that is even slightly hidden is the battery stack, and it's obvious that it must be a battery stack, because it's providing the power to light all the LEDs.

What's more, the LEDs are pulling a lot of power, so there must be nothing but batteries in the black tube.

[Big Guy and Rusty 99]

FINGERPUPPETS!

[ishabibble]

IT WAS WRAPPED IN A PLAIN PACKAGE.

[flashbunny]

"Look, if someone thinks something might be a bomb, it's time to call in an expert."

So if someone thinks it's a bomb, and the experts are called in, and the "leaders" panic, is the person who left / put the item there in the first place supposed to be arrested / charged because they couldn't fathom someone being so stupid as to freak out at random objects?

I guess the terrorists have won. They've removed the ability of millions of people to think rationally.

Of course, this was in boston, so it isn't that much of a task.

[flashbunny]

These things were wrapped up in packages. One under an overpass, two on bridges, one in the basement of a university building.

p.s. Next time just read the link. The omnipotent thing doesn't seem to work for you.

Next time try some reading comprehension courses. I read the link. No where do they mention they were wrapped. Kind of impossible to have an advertising campaign based on a flashing sign if the flashing sign is wrapped in something else, is it?

Duh.

So one of your friends has been crying all day. Well, gee, I guess that overrules everything else if one of your friends has been crying all day. Throw them in prison then. They made your friend cry!

Sheesh. Isn't there a movie on lifetime you could be watching?

[Wolfstar]

And only boston blew it's cork?

Can't speak for the other cities, but here in the L.A. area, most people wouldn't pay any attention. We're used to Hollywood location shoots, things that go bump in the night, the largest number of street gangs in the country, and other weird things. What's one more strange-looking metal box here in LaLa Land?

[musicman]

I would LOVE for the "It's a harmless Lite-Brite Joke" folks like billbears and 3niner (among others) to spend 60 seconds with someone who earned and wears the above patch, and tell THEM just how "hillarious" and "harmless" a "prank" this was, and how "stupid" they are to suspect something as "hip" and "simple" as that might or could EVER be considered a possible IED.

After their "conversation", the next time billbears and 3niner sit in their dentist's chair and open their mouths, their dentists would immediately realize they are actually looking at a fully paid for Escalade.

I knew nothing about the guys who wear that patch until about 2 days ago while whatching The Military Channel. The show will repeat Feb.4th @ 4:ooam.

http://military.discovery.com/tvlistings/episode.jsp?episode=0&cpi=112446&gid=0&channel=MIL

After watching that show, I would take NOTHING, ESPECIALLY like those "Lite-Brites", for granted.

[ishabibble]

You read the link? Then I guess you missed the description of the bomb squad detonation. Where the "Officials" stated that "the package contained an electronic device" and "the parcel" and the "cylinder", so, what, you just skipped over that part?


Isn't there a Slyvan Learning Center in your area that you could be attending?

[The Bass Player]

LOL, reminds me of living in LA in the early 80's...our drummer was a kid in 83 there and when they were filming "Blue Thunder" over the city, he and his friends were all freaked out, thinking they were getting attacked. One morning, I was walking to work down Hollywood Blvd in 94, and as I passed the Chinese Theater, I saw what appeared to be a subway train flying through the air..I blinked, and saw that it hit a crash pad, and saw the camera crew, etc. Turns out they were filming the climax to the movie "Speed", LOL...needless to say, I wasn't expecting to turn a corner and see that damn thing flying through the air!

[The Bass Player]

He he, another time, I was again walking to work, went past this alley, they were filming a scene where it appeared to be a rainstorm, with the water cannons, giant fans, etc. Just as I walked past, they fired up everything, and I got completely soaked, head to foot. I was really ticked off too, ended up being late for work and everything, LOL.

[flashbunny]

You can stop with the quips. NOWHERE did it say they were wrapped in anything. PACKAGE and ITEM are often used interchangeably for things like this.

Again, since you seem to have a hard time comprehending this: THIS WAS A FLASHING SIGN USED FOR AN ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN. IF THE SIGN IS CONCEALED IN A PACKAGE, IT'S NOT REALLY AN ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN IS IT?

Read the stories. I've read several on this. The only time it was concealed was after the police took it away.

Why don't try consoling your hysterical friend instead of posting false information here? Wait, that's a bad idea. You'd probably just make it worse than it already is - like you're attempting to do here.

[Wolfstar]

Turns out they were filming the climax to the movie "Speed", LOL...needless to say, I wasn't expecting to turn a corner and see that damn thing flying through the air!

I note your only reaction was to blink. Typical L.A. reaction. ;-)

That's pretty cool, seeing an action sequence from Speed being shot.

[Wolfstar]

Just as I walked past, they fired up everything, and I got completely soaked, head to foot. I was really ticked off too, ended up being late for work and everything, LOL.

LOL! Was it a hot day in L.A.? I can just imagine you telling your boss you were late because you were caught in a rainstorm on a sunny 90 degree day. Grin...

[The Bass Player]

I was still half asleep,LOL!!

[flashbunny]

You wanna try some reading lessons? Here's some material:

"All went well until Wednesday morning in Boston, when, as the Boston Globe reported, a commuter spotted one of the blinking light boards in a bus station. Soon, there were reports of other blinking light boards throughout the city, some near bridges and highways."

http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=36f461aa-7cf8-43d0-bc06-df5948a34060

Blinking light boards. Not packages. Meaning the light boards were visible as shown in this thread. Not wrapped in anything. Just like I said. The opposite of what you said (but insulted me by saying I couldn't read).

Again, not ONE SINGLE MENTION of them being concealed in any way.

You're wrong.

This is one of the signs. Does it looked wrapped or concealed at all to you?



HMMMM.

[ishabibble]

eonline. That speaks volumes.

I was quoting from the link I posted. But you knew that because you said you read that link. Twice.

Bye now.

[billbears]

and tell THEM just how "hillarious" and "harmless" a "prank" this was, and how "stupid" they are to suspect something as "hip" and "simple" as that might or could EVER be considered a possible IED.

After their "conversation", the next time billbears and 3niner sit in their dentist's chair and open their mouths, their dentists would immediately realize they are actually looking at a fully paid for Escalade.

LOL, so if I didn't agree with 'those guys' I would be facing possible physical harm. Not to mention the disconcerting aspect that you agree if a citizen disagreeing with military personnel results in physical harm for the citizen. At least that's what you're insinuating. And yes, the signs were hilarious, they were harmless (8 out of 9 cities didn't see a problem with it) and I have to question anyone's judgement who didn't seem them for what they were. Contrary to Fox News and '24', IEDs are not being planted at every US street corner.

I knew nothing about the guys who wear that patch until about 2 days ago while whatching The Military Channel. The show will repeat Feb.4th @ 4:ooam. After watching that show, I would take NOTHING, ESPECIALLY like those "Lite-Brites", for granted.

Wow, you're rather easily influenced aren't you? You see one television show and you're an expert on what may or may not be an IED? You know you're right. We need to be on the alert. Hell if I were you, I wouldn't even go out of the house!! The terrorists may be on street corners around these US planting IEDs...Even though we don't have actual evidence this is happening, if I were you, I'd just assume they're doing it...Quick call the cops

To repeat, not every box, unknown sign, or advertisement is, nor is it likely to be, an IED that we would need 'these guys'.

[OMalley]

looks like a lite brite:)