Homeland Security Are Dummies

[kevolution]

My buddy in Atlanta works for promotions and marketing and lately they have been putting up this smal 15inX14in paper thin Aqua Teen Hunger Force (cartoon) LED signs in major cities to promote the upcoming Cartoon Network movie. They used long poles and magnets to stick the signs in very visible areas to reach large amounts of people. He was supposed to send me one Monday, as it is a pretty cool sign and I love the cartoon. So today Boston genius' (atf, the mayor, police,feds,homeland security) shut down half the city and start telling the media about possible bombs scattered throughout Boston. They showed the bomb sqaud blowing one up on CNN and caused mass panic in the city. Then CNN starts reporting hours later that they are not in fact bombs but a cruel hoax. Then finally they announce that Turner Broadcasting called and stated that they are an advertisement for a cartoon promo, that have been in Atlanta, Seattle, Boston etc. for weeks.

It's funny how the media and the guys supposed to protect us go bananas over something so small and insignificant and then they F up on bigger more dangerous issues.

Homeland Security is a joke to me and I have no trust in the people that are at the top that are supposed to be professionals.

Here is what the "bomb" looks like.
<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img462.imageshack.us/img462/7824/358766067da00b3656ern9.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>




------------------------------------------------------------------------Cartoon Network promo tied to Boston bomb scare

PrintE-mailDisable live quotesRSSDigg itDel.icio.usBy Val Brickates Kennedy, MarketWatch
Last Update: 6:08 PM ET Jan 31, 2007


BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- A marketing campaign gone awry was apparently behind the shutdown of Boston's major roadways and subway lines on Wednesday after promotional devices installed around the city triggered a day-long bomb scare.
In an e-mailed statement circulated to the media, the Cartoon Network, owned by Time Warner (TWX : time warner inc com
acknowledged placing several devices containing magnetic lighting circuitry along Boston's major thoroughfares are as part of a promotional campaign of its animated show "Aqua Teen Hunger Force." The network added it was sorry for confusion the devices caused.
By evening rush hour Wednesday, law enforcement officials had reportedly identified at least nine of the devices. The first, found early Wednesday morning, was detonated by a bomb squad at a subway station in Somerville, Mass., next to heavily-traveled Interstate 93.
The discovery of subsequent suspicious packages resulted in the temporary closure of three main bridges connecting Cambridge, Mass. to Boston, in addition to sections of Boston's Storrow Drive, Interstate Route 93 and the Massachusetts Turnpike.
Another suspicious package was reportedly found inside the Tufts-New England Medical Center, a major medical facility.
Subway services on the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority's Red and Orange Lines were also suspended temporarily. Likewise, the U.S. Coast Guard temporarily passage on the Charles River and closed locks controlling water flow from the Charles to Boston Harbor, according to local reports

 

[James]

Re: Homeland Security are dummies.

eh HS does so much shit behind the scenes, you never hear about the good things because thats what the media does, reports all the bad things going on, which is why i hardly pay attention to the news or base my opinion on what CNN, MSNBC, FOX News or any of them say, they are all the same. print media is still better then TV i think. Washington Post, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, New York Times are all pretty reliable and offer good insight on the positive and the negative...unlike most of these supposed "news stations"

CNN is really the only one worth watching, and thats because there anchor woman are so freaking hot.

and also, since HS has been formed, there havent been any attacks on the US, so they gotta be doing something right.

 

[kevolution]

Re: Homeland Security are dummies.

I hear ya on the media James.

But come on remember Tom Ridge told us all to buy duct tape to protect us from a nuclear or biochemical attack? And he was head of HS.
Duct tape?!

I still never found out why your sig and avy are hating on the Browns just cause the Pats lost. We as Browns fans know that the Browns suck, but why are you going at them?

 

[James]

Re: Homeland Security are dummies.

I hear ya on the media James.

But come on remember Tom Ridge told us all to buy duct tape to protect us from a nuclear or biochemical attack? And he was head of HS.
Duct tape?!

I still never found out why your sig and avy are hating on the Browns just cause the Pats lost. We as Browns fans know that the Browns suck, but why are you going at them?

And yea, i remeber Tom Ridge saying that, and it was pretty dumb, but id rather them say something and have people be prepared in case. other heads of departments have said things that would make one say "he said that?" about protecting ourselves from terrorist attacks or preparing ourselves. we have some water in case something happens and canned food, but for real, if there was a nuke to go off here, there isnt much im gonna be able to do.


sorta forgot that i had it as my sig, ill change it when i find something better.

 

[kevolution]

Re: Homeland Security are dummies.

Nope, duct tape has many uses but that is not one of them.

By the way have you seen the preview for the ATHF movie?

 

[kevolution]

Re: Homeland Security are dummies.

Don't know if you caught this babbling fool Mayor Thomas Menino of Boston tried speaking at the press conference this afternoon and I couldn'y even understand him. How did that man get elected if he can't even talk?

 

[Maximus]

Re: Homeland Security are dummies.

Homeland security are "dummies"??? The people who came up with this marketing idea are "dummies". First, these things they hung had circuit boards and batteries....items commonly used in some crude explosive devices. Second, the authorities weren't stumbling across these items themselves and overracting. They were reacting to phone calls coming in from citizens of suspicious devices. Some of the devices were hanging underneath bridges, in schools, hospitals, transit terminals. How did you honestly expect the authorities to react when they are getting a rash of phone calls within the same city of multiple suspicious devices??? I'm sure the first thing that popped into their head was what happened in London last year when multiple bombs were set off. Unfortunately it's a new and dangerous world. I'd rather them be overcautious....but I'd prefer Turner Network's employees use their heads and not do something so stupid in the post 9/11 ers. They should fire everyone involved with signing off on this miserable marketing idea.

The first device was found under Interstate 93, and the state police bomb squad was called and detonated the package in Sullivan Square just before 10 a.m. Officials said it contained an electronic circuit board with some components that were "consistent with an improvised explosive device," but they said it had no explosives.

Several hours later, Boston police said the department received four calls, all at about 1 p.m., reporting the devices. Officials responded to at least nine locations, including the Boston University Bridge, the Longfellow Bridge, the McGrath O'Brien Highway in Somerville, a comic store on Harvard Avenue in Brighton, a location near the intersection of Stuart and Columbus streets, a location near Washington and Water streets and under the McCarthy Overpass in Somerville, according to Davis.

MBTA Lt. Sal Venturelli said police were told about the first package by a transit passenger who spotted it on a column that supports I-93. The parcel was located on an elevated structure above the bus way and below I-93 in the Charlestown section of Boston at about 8 a.m.

 

[Mandingo]

Re: Homeland Security are dummies.

I understand what you are saying Max. Thing is that these people are supposed to be experts in the matter and after looking at one they couldn't tell that it was just a placard with LEDs placed on it? The thing i find odd is that nobody in all the people working on figuring out what they were recognized them to be the little alien from ATHF. Now all FOX news has on is how Turner Network made a big mistake and IMO is blowing this way out of proportion.

I think it was a creative marketing ploy for their movie. I don't think it was a mistake to hang signs up although they should have alerted the hospital before hanging them. All in all i don't see this as a problem. Can't walk around like a bunch of cowards.

 

[Maximus]

Re: Homeland Security are dummies.

I understand what you are saying Max. Thing is that these people are supposed to be experts in the matter and after looking at one they couldn't tell that it was just a placard with LEDs placed on it? The thing i find odd is that nobody in all the people working on figuring out what they were recognized them to be the little alien from ATHF. Now all FOX news has on is how Turner Network made a big mistake and IMO is blowing this way out of proportion.

I think it was a creative marketing ploy for their movie. I don't think it was a mistake to hang signs up although they should have alerted the hospital before hanging them. All in all i don't see this as a problem. Can't walk around like a bunch of cowards.

People on the bomb squad are some extremely intelligent people. I'm sure it was a case of erring on the side of caution. They don't have an easy job, and they risk their lives for our safety. They are cautious...not dumb. The first time they are careless or wrong is the last time. The real problem for them was they got multiple calls of suspicious devices that came in simultaneously and that set off the frenzy.

If someone did recognize the alien it doesn't mean they should automatically brush it off, they still need to procede with caution and make sure there is no threat. A bomb can come in any form. Terrorists will use teddy bears, toys or pregnant women to hide bombs.
I've never seen the alien before, not quite sure why it's giving the finger either.

Lastly, the "creative marketing ploy" was illegal I would assume. As far as I know I can't go around my city hanging small electric signs with batteries and wires under bridges, at universities, and in hospitals.

 

[Maximus]

Re: Homeland Security are dummies.

But come on remember Tom Ridge told us all to buy duct tape to protect us from a nuclear or biochemical attack? And he was head of HS.
Duct tape?!

http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/
What to do to prepare for a chemical or biological attack

Assemble a disaster supply kit (see the “Emergency Planning and Disaster Supplies” chapter for more information) and be sure to include:
Battery-powered commercial radio with extra batteries.
Non-perishable food and drinking water.
Roll of duct tape and scissors.
Plastic for doors, windows and vents for the room in which you will shelter in place—this should be an internal room where you can block out air that may contain hazardous chemical or biological agents. To save critical time during an emergency, sheeting should be pre-measured and cut for each opening.
First aid kit.
Sanitation supplies including soap, water and bleach.
What to do during a chemical or biological attack

Listen to your radio for instructions from authorities such as whether to remain inside or to evacuate.
If you are instructed to remain in your home, the building where you are, or other shelter during a chemical or biological attack:
Turn off all ventilation, including furnaces, air conditioners, vents and fans.
Seek shelter in an internal room, preferably one without windows. Seal the room with duct tape and plastic sheeting. Ten square feet of floor space per person will provide sufficient air to prevent carbon dioxide build-up for up to five hours. (See “Shelter” chapter.)
Remain in protected areas where toxic vapors are reduced or eliminated, and be sure to take your battery-operated radio with you.
If you are caught in an unprotected area, you should:
Attempt to get up-wind of the contaminated area.
Attempt to find shelter as quickly as possible.
Listen to your radio for official instructions.

 

[James]

Re: Homeland Security are dummies.

people complain when HS does there job, yet the same people would be complaining if something does happen.

and sorry, when someone see's exposed batteries and something that looks like an IED on the side of a bridge...they have every right to call the proper people. bad marketing scheme, whatever happened to billboards? i know some of you like the whole "rebel" type attitude, but lets be real for a second, shutting down a bridge, which ultimatley backs up traffic, isnt as bad as having something much worse happen.

although it sorta cracks me up that one of my favorite tv shows is getting all this exposure. haha.

 

[Maximus]

Re: Homeland Security are dummies.

Here's the press conference of the two suspects they arrested for hanging these signs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx2ytr2Oyv4

Give them the chair...the world would will be a better place.

 

[crazedcav333]

Re: Homeland Security are dummies.

I could post probably a page and a half about HS and the ways of security in the aftermath of 9/11, but I'll save that for later.

HS has done their job very well. No bombs since then? Not bad. I don't want to delve into this because when I do I keep typing. Just accept it when you're being checked at a ballgame and don't complain when you have to wait 20 minutes at the airport. If something horrible happened, people would say well "why didn't you so something before"? America has become a hypocrite.

 

[Mac]

Re: Homeland Security are dummies.

Exactly how many terrorist attacks have occured on US soil in the first place?

Don't praise HS because we haven't been attacked, that's another repub. brainwash method.

 

[Mac]

Re: Homeland Security are dummies.

That press conference was hilarious