View Full Version : More L.E.D. Paranoia in Boston
k4kyv
02-04-2008, 11:29 PM
A computer science student from MIT unwittingly created an airport bomb scare by wearing a blinking circuit board attached to her shirt. Her attorney asked a judge to throw out the charge against Star Simpson, 19, who is accused of possessing a hoax device. She had gone to Logan International Airport last September to pick up her boyfriend.
She was held at gunpoint and arrested by state troopers after an alarm was raised over the battery-powered device on her shirt, which had flashing lights and the words "Socket to me" and "Course VI" (a major at MIT) written on the back.
A student in electrical engineering and computer science, she didn't think her shirt would scare anyone. He said she had worn it on campus without alarming anyone.
Her attorney argued that state law does not clearly define what a hoax device is. The charge carries a penalty of up to 2 1/2 years and a $5,000 fine.
Police officers who arrested Simpson determined that a reasonable person would think Simpson was wearing an infernal device, which includes bombs and other explosives. The terminal was not evacuated and flights were not affected. According to her lawyer, she disconnected the battery to the flashing lights after somebody at the airport told her she shouldn't be wearing something like that.
Boston had been the focus of another bizarre security scare earlier last year when dozens of battery-powered devices were discovered around the city. They turned out to be a promotion for the Cartoon Network.
Bomb scare becomes First Amendment issue (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22955887/)
KC9JIQ
02-04-2008, 11:44 PM
Yeah, we are not going to let the terrorist change our lives, psst!
Police officers who arrested Simpson determined that a reasonable person would think
Which, obviously, they know NOTHING about...
AB8XA
02-05-2008, 12:17 AM
Those cops would think there was an invasion of bombers if they ever went to Hamvention! :D
Now, if the LEDs blinked "Bomb on board", well...
W4INF
02-05-2008, 01:07 AM
Yeah, we are not going to let the terrorist change our lives, psst!
That is the intent of terrorist, when we make drastic changes to our rules and laws, and attitudes... then the terrorist won the battle.
Flag sales were skyrocketed right after 9/11. Years later, you cant find anyone flying flags. Just, an observation... You connect the dots (Oh, and Im sure most of the US flags sold were made in China)
I'm not crazy or need to be on meds, I don't think... just a free thinker that examines all angles for consideration.
Andrew
N7RJD
02-05-2008, 01:41 AM
That is the intent of terrorist, when we make drastic changes to our rules and laws, and attitudes... then the terrorist won the battle.
Flag sales were skyrocketed right after 9/11. Years later, you cant find anyone flying flags. Just, an observation... You connect the dots (Oh, and Im sure most of the US flags sold were made in China)
I'm not crazy or need to be on meds, I don't think... just a free thinker that examines all angles for consideration.
Andrew
Their intent is to make us change the way we live our everyday lives. We have changed at least that if not more. So exactly who's mission is it that was accomplished?
K8ERV
02-05-2008, 01:54 AM
Course VI at MIT? Sounds vaguely familiar. But I didn't wear a skirt, and LEDs had not been invented. Neither had Beano, whatever that is.
TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo
W1GUH
02-05-2008, 02:07 AM
Osama has won. He's gotten all he could ever dream of. Not only has he messed up life in these here United States, but he got a recruiting bonanza when the FM started playing with the guns daddy bought him.
I surely do hope there's a massive move from everybody who's lost a loved one in Iraq to sue the FM for wrongful death. If ever there was a case for that, this is it. The FM should be legally and utterly destroyed. Nixon's fate would be way too good for him.
KL1ZB
02-05-2008, 02:08 AM
Don't forget about Bostons war on traffic counters!
http://wbztv.com/local/Suspicious.Package.Devonshire.2.585482.html
Quote: The bomb squad shut down busy Devonshire Street after someone spotted a green box chained to a no parking sign.
ve2nsm
02-05-2008, 04:31 AM
Their intent is to make us change the way we live our everyday lives. We have changed at least that if not more. So exactly who's mission is it that was accomplished?
Yup, and the sad part is, the USA terrorist paranoļa has spread all over America ... and beyond :(
k4kyv
02-05-2008, 03:33 PM
As if someone carrying an explosive or other dangerous device with the intent to do harm, would wire it up with flashing lights and leave it visible enough to attract attention.
At hamfests I have seen name/callsign tags adorned with flashing lights. Dorky, but nothing to get alarmed about. And there are those shoes I have seen kids wear, that have led's that flash at every footstep.
What bugs me about all this is that "authorities" over-react to someone who has intended no harm, and could not likely have even predicted that the action would provoke such an over-reaction, and the person is arrested anyway and charged with creating a "hoax". Basically, the individual is punished for someone else's stupidity.
Not only should the case be thrown out, the chick should be reimbursed for every penny of her legal expenses. Last time I had to use the services of an attorney, the charge was @ $200/hour.
ab1ga
02-05-2008, 03:41 PM
Course VI at MIT? Sounds vaguely familiar. But I didn't wear a skirt, and LEDs had not been invented. Neither had Beano, whatever that is.
TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo
Don't worry, if you lock the doors, draw the shades, dim the lights, and put a cold towel on your head for an hour or so, the memories will go away.
At least until the next call from the alumni association.
:)