Boston Bomb Scare: Outraged Menino vows no mercy for stunt - Sham suspect jailed

Boston Herald ^ | February 1, 2007 | Laura Crimaldi & Michelle McPhee

[bondjamesbond]

But people did see it. There have been reports of finding these things weeks ago, and pictures posted to blogs and photo sharing sites like flickr.

A couple of geeks posting on Flickr is one thing. Dominating a 24-hour news cycle is another. Getting the whole world to know the name of your product is how an advertising agency defines "success". Giving it a counter-cultural cachet by making the cops look like idiots is icing on the cake.

This thing could not have gone better for them. It is reasonable to suspect that the campaign may have been designed to work out exactly like this. Demonstrating intent is the key to the case.

[jjm2111]

Fine, but after they found the first one, they should have just said, "they're not bombs."

Secondly, I still think the mayor & co. are all out to get these guys because they were made to look like fools. Hopefully, Turner will pay for their lawyers.

[from occupied ga]

was, a basket.

Well don't get the Hawks to show them what it is, because they don't know.

[bondjamesbond]

Fine, but after they found the first one, they should have just said, "they're not bombs."

This all played out over a couple of hours. There was not time to put on the brakes. Once the ball got rolling, the massive response was all but inevitable.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

You don't know whether they did or not. I would wager that a fair number of these things were removed in other cities, as well. The only difference being that nobody hit the Big Red Button in those cities.

Exactly! Just one bomb squad police could have determined this was not a threat in a minute. Only idiots push the big red button.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

You seem to be incapable of accepting the fact that not everyone agrees with you. And yet you call others "goosesteppers." Ironic. Get a grip on your emotions...it's embarrassing.

The Boston police are indeed goosestepers! You don't think so then that is your opinion. I am not the one putting innocent people in jail to cover my incompetence.

[Wormwood]

That will be for a jury to decide. If they are shown to have intended to provoke this response, they are in big, big trouble. As well they should be.

Conversely, if intent cannot be proven (and the burden of proof is on the state), then they deserve to walk away scot free.

[READINABLUESTATE]

Attorney General Martha Coakley was put in charge of the case and said the companies behind the promotion would be investigated. She said the felony charge of planting a hoax device could be broad enough to allow prosecution even if the stunt’s sponsors did not intend a panic.

“To do this kind of placement of devices the way it was, an individual had to know or should have that it was going to create the kind of panic it did,” Coakley said last night during a press conference.



....So I wonder, if someone’s child accidentally leaves their etch a sketch or a light brite on a park bench will they call the bomb squad, prosecute the parents and send the child to a foster home now?

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

You have to be morons to pull a stunt like this in a 911 world.

They got the attention they wanted and made the Boston police look like a bunch of incompetent Nazi's. Pretty smart I'd say.

[Wormwood]

So I wonder, if someone’s child accidentally leaves their etch a sketch or a light brite on a park bench will they call the bomb squad, prosecute the parents and send the child to a foster home now?

A valid question when confronted with a State operating on fear and hysteria.

[Guenevere]

I believe you.
Totally believe you....and I hope they are held accountable....

...not the two scapegoats!...even though they're due some culpability in this mess.

[bondjamesbond]

Conversely, if intent cannot be proven (and the burden of proof is on the state), then they deserve to walk away scot free.

I agree completely. It may not play out that way, unfortunately. These guys may get in trouble on some other statute that does not have to demonstrate intent, which would be unfortunate.

[Rb ver. 2.0]

Advertising without a permit doesn't warrant the bomb squad.

[macamadamia]

goosestepers
Nazi's





LOL. You're too much.

[bondjamesbond]

Whenever you see the words "goosestepper" or "Nazi" in an argument, just substitute "person who does not agree with me".

[Stone Mountain]

“To do this kind of placement of devices the way it was, an individual had to know or should have that it was going to create the kind of panic it did,” Coakley said last night during a press conference.

It didn't cause any panic at all in 9 of the 10 cities tis promotion took place in.

[maryz]

Nobody said it did.

[bondjamesbond]

Exactly! Just one bomb squad police could have determined this was not a threat in a minute. Only idiots push the big red button.

Unfortunately, due to the configuration of the first one they found, they apparently had to close off a major highway before they could investigate. Once something like that is done, it's too late. The Big Red Button has already been pressed.

Can you imagine the conversation? "Chief, we need to close I-92 one way for a half hour... Why? Well, there is a suspicious device attached to a pillar that we have to investigate... Well, it's flat and black and so-by-so big and has wires and lights on it... What do you mean they found one just like it in the basement of Tufts Hospital?..." And it's off to the races!

[bondjamesbond]

It didn't cause any panic at all in 9 of the 10 cities tis promotion took place in.

If I put one bullet in a revolver, spin the barrel, point it at your head and pull the trigger, it's "No Blood No Foul" if you happen to get lucky?