British pair arrested in U.S. on terror charges over Twitter jokes

Mail Online ^ | 30th January 2012 | Richard Hartley-Parkinson

[billybudd]

Two British tourists were barred from entering America after joking on Twitter that they were going to 'destroy America' and 'dig up Marilyn Monroe'.

Leigh Van Bryan, 26, was handcuffed and kept under armed guard in a cell with Mexican drug dealers for 12 hours after landing in Los Angeles with pal Emily Bunting.

The Department of Homeland Security flagged him as a potential threat when he posted an excited tweet to his pals about his forthcoming trip to Hollywood which read: 'Free this week, for quick gossip/prep before I go and destroy America?'

After making their way through passport control at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) last Monday afternoon the pair were detained by armed guards.

Despite telling officials the term 'destroy' was British slang for 'party', they were held on suspicion of planning to 'commit crimes' and had their passports confiscated.

Leigh was also quizzed about another tweet which quoted hit US comedy Family Guy which read: '3 weeks today, we're totally in LA p****** people off on Hollywood Blvd and diggin' Marilyn Monroe up!

[billybudd]

Watch what you say on FreeRepublic folks, or the Department of Fatherland Security will kick you off your next flight!

[DustyMoment]

Two British tourists were barred from entering America after joking on Twitter that they were going to 'destroy America' and 'dig up Marilyn Monroe'. Leigh Van Bryan, 26, was handcuffed and kept under armed guard in a cell with Mexican drug dealers for 12 hours after landing in Los Angeles with pal Emily Bunting. The Department of Homeland Security flagged him as a potential threat when he posted an excited tweet to his pals about his forthcoming trip to Hollywood which read: 'Free this week, for quick gossip/prep before I go and destroy America?'

Stupidity has consequences. We ALL have to be circumspect about the things we say or do, regardless. As the result of terrorism and 9/11, communications of all types are being monitored.

The Brits may have been "joking", but they were "joking" in VERY poor taste. What would happen if 2 Americans went to Britain and tweeted that they were going to "destroy Britain and dig up Churchill"? Does anyone think that Scotland Yard wouldn't be waiting to greet them at the arrival gate?

The two are idiots and were treated appropriately. This issue is the same as the "joke" of yelling "Hi, Jack!" in an airport. The TSA will be on you faster than a buzzard on a garbage wagon!!

[microgood]

Words fail me.

[Bigh4u2]

Oh good grief.....

[microgood]

The two are idiots and were treated appropriately.

You should apply for a job at TSA. You will ascend rapidly.

[WMarshal]

What a wast of our money. They knew that this couple was no danger. They just harassed them so that there would be a news story that would give the impression that they were watching everyone. This is a warning to American citizens that everything you do on the internet is being watched and recorded.

[dfwgator]

Well I sure feel safer, don’t you?

[WayneS]

Let me guess what happens next: The DHS calls in the FBI, and the FBI sends in a forensics team which spends 15 hours searching the guy’s hotel room and rental car looking for evidence that he is in possession of Marilyn Monroe’s mortal remains?

[LibFreeUSA]

In the meantime, let’s let all the Mexicans keep crossing our borders, AND DONT DARE ‘ASK’ THEM IF THEY ARE HERE ILLEGALLY BECAUSE “THAT’S RACIST”!

[WayneS]

This issue is the same as the "joke" of yelling "Hi, Jack!" in an airport.

No, it isn't.

[Rio]

I found it encouraging that we’re actually detaining Mexican drug dealers!

[PGR88]

Who knew that protection of Marilyn Monroe’s corpse fell under TSA’s purview?

I guess they have to justify 110,000 unionized TSA employees somehow.

[DustyMoment]

No, it isn't.

Yeah, I think it is.

[DustyMoment]

You should apply for a job at TSA.

And work with you!!?? Not a chance!!

[DustyMoment]

You should apply for a job at TSA.

And work with you!!?? Not a chance!!

[LibFreeUSA]

-"We ALL have to be circumspect about the things we say or do,"

-"The two are idiots and were treated appropriately.

The "idiots" are the ones who took them seriously for such a harmless tweet. Along with anyone else who thinks accordingly.

This is not the America that I want for my children. If you believe that this is justifiable behavior by our government, then you have just given up your right to the first Amendment for a very cheap price.

Any self-respecting investigator, and superior official, should have quickly realized that this was a harmless joke.

Anyone who dismisses this type of action by the highest officials in our government, is giving in to the enemies of this country who want to instil fear and division in our society.

[tumblindice]

I killed a 12-pack once—Red, White & Blue beer—just to watch it die.

[WayneS]

In Reno?

[JRios1968]

FBI sends in a forensics team which spends 15 hours searching the guy’s hotel room and rental car looking for evidence that he is in possession of Marilyn Monroe’s mortal remains?

Everyone knows Laz has them..wait, what?

[WayneS]

Well, I guess we’ll just have to ‘agree to disagree’ on that one.