Listen closely next time you find yourself waiting for a flight inside Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport and you will hear a clear warning from the Thought Police. The P.A. system clearly states, over and over again, that you will be arrested and go to jail for making “inappropriate comments or jokes” about the security or TSA. According to this 2009 NYTimes story it’s that warning is only made at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport.
I know this is an old story, and people have been hearing this ridiculous warning drone on and on for years. Still, it’s worth pointing out, if for no other reason than that it continues to drone on and on while no one seems to bat an eye.
Is this such a supine nation that State warnings to keep you mouth shut or go to jail are so readily accepted?
Also, I could never imagine this warning being broadcast at Orange County’s John Wayne airport, but that it’s made at an airport named for George Bush somehow doesn’t surprise me in the least.
I really appreciate the one that reminds me not to agree to take a stranger’s box, package, suitcase, bag, etc. on the plane. If not for that announcement, I might accept the proposition (after I fell on my head on a concrete floor several dozen times).
And answer me this: When I check out of my room at 11:00 a.m. in Vegas, but my flight doesn’t leave till 4:00 p.m., and the concierge accommodates my luggage in the back room gratis (except for a fiver tip to the bell hop) until it’s time to cab it to the airport, am I lying when I tell the TSA that I haven’t let my luggage out of my sight since I packed it?
TSA isn’t conscious … of anything beyond those snaking rope lanes leading to those ‘You’re guilty till we prove you’re innocent’ x-ray machines. Therefore … No, you are not lying to TSA.
While the likely hood of someone tampering with your luggage and placing something in it is extremely low, the scenario you constructed is the situation I would seek if I was a terrorist who wanted to place a device somewhere it shouldn’t be.
“While the likely hood of someone tampering with your luggage and placing something in it is extremely low …” On what evidence do you base your assertion, that there have been no reported incidents that it’s happened? The likely hood is then zero, no?
“All it takes is one time.” Yeah, that’s why the last time I flew out of Vegas, shortly after 9/11, I sat at the airport for three hours sitting next to my luggage. I wonder if that practice has been abandoned. It was a chink in the armor then and now.
Because something hasn’t happened doesn’t mean that it can’t. Of all the people in the world terrorists are a very small percentage of the total population, so the likely hood of a terrorist being where you left your bag unattended is low, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t guard against it.
Nobody has ever made an attempt to steal a nuke from an Air Force base, so is the possibility of that ever happening zero? If it is zero, why do we have guards there?
It’s not about the probability it’s about the end result if that occurred that should be worried about.
Yeah. I hear that. It only takes one blue-eyed, silver haired grandma to turn, and we’re blown to smitherenes. (I have green eyes myself and my roots are just a little hair isn’t silver. Just ask my hairdresser). If I were a terrorist … hey, we’d better check every Depends diaper, too! It just takes one!
Haven’t been to that airport in a long time, but I would wager that one in ten people actually pay attention to any announcements over the PA.
Interesting that you would say people in CA wouldn’t stand for that while Texans would…interesting.
Not having heard the announcement myself I can’t say if it was appropriate or not. But I would say that the threat of arrest probably falls under the line of thinking that “you can’t shout fire in a crowded theater.”
I was kind of being tongue-in-cheek in my comparison between Orange County’s airport and Houston’s. I’ve no doubt the People in CA would accept if just as readily as it’s accepted by travelers on TX.
And you make a good point about shouting fire in a crowded theater. Maybe I just see a difference between the two. But after reflecting upon the explanation given, in that 2009 NYTimes article, by Marlene McClinton, Houston Airport System’s media relations manager: “there are people who will say outrageous things, and sometimes that makes other travelers very nervous; they overhear things and suddenly become alarmed, and then you’ve got the police and all the federal agencies involved.”, it might just be reasonable to arrest someone for an “inappropriate comment” or “joke” about security.
It would rather suck to be ushered out of a locked down airport and missing one’s flight all because some idiot “Winter Texan” couldn’t tell the difference between a joke and someone making a serious threat.
Because humor is really subjective, I might encourage people to have the self restraint to hold off on the highjacking and bomb jokes until later…but that’s just me Mr. Fun-killer. Arresting them is probably a bit much, but I don’t think it un-reasonable to have a bit of a talk with someone who thinks it a good time to make remarks about those kind of things, just to see where it is they are coming from.
Happy Hump Day, Threedonians. I come bearing coffee and after me you are first in line at the karafe (cold caffeine for those who insist, as well). I have 3 little boys in my house who woke up at 5:20, which is going to make for a cranky Tink.
Cereal and cartoons till at leather 8:00am. I remember being awakened by my precocious older Sun by his coming into my room at the wee hours with an Oreo in one hand and a left over can of Dad’s rootbeer in the other. He was about two years old & couldn’t find the remote controller. Breakfast was a handle; he just needed an assist on the tube.
Don’t be too cranky, Cranky. There will be a time when you’ll long for days like these with your little guys. (I know you know )
So Zachmed’s AT&T ad is finally off the air and replaced by an AT&T ad about faster/slower and “Werewolf” (you’ll get that when you see the ad)… it is, in my unbiased opinion, inferior.
The new “faster” ad starts promisingly enough, but grinds to a halt just as quickly. Part of the fun of this series is watching the other kids react, something sorely lacking in “Wolfiie.” Long story short, inferior to anything involving cheetahs or a kid doing two things at once. Must be something magic in that lower right (or stage left) seat.
I haven’t seen it. I was watching Jeopardy last night and al Gorzeera was presenting one of the categories. That just put me off my feed, so I turned the TV off & read my Calvin.
I have no independent recollection sitting here now on the train, but I do remember watching the one about the department store. Are You Being Served? was it?
What do buckets have to do? Isn’t there a Flying Circus bit about spew buckets?
About this socially striving woman named Hyacinth who is married to a man named Richard Bucket…she insist on the last name being pronounced “Boo-Kay”.She is ridiculously funny.
I do. That all happened before I arrived in Berkeley, but it was part of the local buzz at the time. Those low-lifes got lots of the ususal celebrity support, and it’s a sorry tale to tell that Linus Pauling was a supporter; too much psychedelic ascorbic acid, I guess.
I read your endorsement the other day. I had passed it up on my movies-to-see list, but I’ll reconsider based on your recommendation. Prolly see it this weekend. (It’d bettter be good. )
So, yes, check it out. Its a romance about two people, each of whom have mental issues.
It also has a pro-psychiatry theme that is refreshing in a Hollywood where almost every movie about mental illness has a somewhat dangerous “If I have enough willpower I can overcome my Paranoid Schizophrenia!” message. (Thanks, Scientology.)
And the performances, especially by Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence (the latter MUST win the Oscar).
Sorry I’m so late, but I needed a bit of extra beauty sleep this morning! No cracks, please! Afetr all, I am a sensitive male, and not accustomed to a lot of snark!
Anywho…Coffee, krullers and Cheers!
Lillith and Frasier always good for a cringe and some belly laughs!
We had a serial rapist attacking women on the local campus for a year and a half. He was arrested on charges for 3 rapes a couple of weeks ago and is being investigated for 9 more during that time period.
I’m about done with Beckel. I know The Five needs a foil, but he’s transmogrified into an unprincipled, diarrhea-of-the-mouth contrarian for contrary’s sake. I can’t stand to listen to him. Greg and Eric and I might have to break up.
Already 6 AM Eastern Time and no one’s claimed first.. ah well … What’s going on, sleepy-heads?
I claim “first.” Done.
Pacific Standard Time, that’s what’s happenin’.
What’s Happenin’. Dee’s knocked up and Raj’s on crack again
Holy macaroni, I thought verb, that’s what’s happenin’.
Send me back my Etch a Sketch!
“Pork is not a verb!”-Bart Simpson
There you are. I thought maybe you were having breakfast with Magnus without us.
NO, unfortunately. I’m beginning to think he was banned from using the PCs at the Library!
They should provide towels …
No further comment from me!
What about Rerun?
Shut the f*%# up, Donny!
Will do,Big Momma!
This Donny?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4RcpTR5oC0
Sigh. You’re both out of your league.
Listen closely next time you find yourself waiting for a flight inside Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport and you will hear a clear warning from the Thought Police. The P.A. system clearly states, over and over again, that you will be arrested and go to jail for making “inappropriate comments or jokes” about the security or TSA. According to this 2009 NYTimes story it’s that warning is only made at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport.
I know this is an old story, and people have been hearing this ridiculous warning drone on and on for years. Still, it’s worth pointing out, if for no other reason than that it continues to drone on and on while no one seems to bat an eye.
Is this such a supine nation that State warnings to keep you mouth shut or go to jail are so readily accepted?
Also, I could never imagine this warning being broadcast at Orange County’s John Wayne airport, but that it’s made at an airport named for George Bush somehow doesn’t surprise me in the least.
I really appreciate the one that reminds me not to agree to take a stranger’s box, package, suitcase, bag, etc. on the plane. If not for that announcement, I might accept the proposition (after I fell on my head on a concrete floor several dozen times).
And answer me this: When I check out of my room at 11:00 a.m. in Vegas, but my flight doesn’t leave till 4:00 p.m., and the concierge accommodates my luggage in the back room gratis (except for a fiver tip to the bell hop) until it’s time to cab it to the airport, am I lying when I tell the TSA that I haven’t let my luggage out of my sight since I packed it?
TSA isn’t conscious … of anything beyond those snaking rope lanes leading to those ‘You’re guilty till we prove you’re innocent’ x-ray machines. Therefore … No, you are not lying to TSA.
Besides … what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas..
So…that’s why I’m still here after 26 years? I swear I’m innocent! Really!
Prove it.
Er, um…just don’t watch the evening news!
Yeah, you are lying.
While the likely hood of someone tampering with your luggage and placing something in it is extremely low, the scenario you constructed is the situation I would seek if I was a terrorist who wanted to place a device somewhere it shouldn’t be.
All it takes is one time.
“While the likely hood of someone tampering with your luggage and placing something in it is extremely low …” On what evidence do you base your assertion, that there have been no reported incidents that it’s happened? The likely hood is then zero, no?
“All it takes is one time.” Yeah, that’s why the last time I flew out of Vegas, shortly after 9/11, I sat at the airport for three hours sitting next to my luggage. I wonder if that practice has been abandoned. It was a chink in the armor then and now.
P.S. Good morning.
Because something hasn’t happened doesn’t mean that it can’t. Of all the people in the world terrorists are a very small percentage of the total population, so the likely hood of a terrorist being where you left your bag unattended is low, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t guard against it.
Nobody has ever made an attempt to steal a nuke from an Air Force base, so is the possibility of that ever happening zero? If it is zero, why do we have guards there?
It’s not about the probability it’s about the end result if that occurred that should be worried about.
Yeah. I hear that. It only takes one blue-eyed, silver haired grandma to turn, and we’re blown to smitherenes. (I have green eyes myself and my
roots are just a littlehair isn’t silver. Just ask my hairdresser). If I were a terrorist … hey, we’d better check everyDependsdiaper, too! It just takes one!Haven’t been to that airport in a long time, but I would wager that one in ten people actually pay attention to any announcements over the PA.
Interesting that you would say people in CA wouldn’t stand for that while Texans would…interesting.
Not having heard the announcement myself I can’t say if it was appropriate or not. But I would say that the threat of arrest probably falls under the line of thinking that “you can’t shout fire in a crowded theater.”
I was kind of being tongue-in-cheek in my comparison between Orange County’s airport and Houston’s. I’ve no doubt the People in CA would accept if just as readily as it’s accepted by travelers on TX.
And you make a good point about shouting fire in a crowded theater. Maybe I just see a difference between the two. But after reflecting upon the explanation given, in that 2009 NYTimes article, by Marlene McClinton, Houston Airport System’s media relations manager: “there are people who will say outrageous things, and sometimes that makes other travelers very nervous; they overhear things and suddenly become alarmed, and then you’ve got the police and all the federal agencies involved.”, it might just be reasonable to arrest someone for an “inappropriate comment” or “joke” about security.
It would rather suck to be ushered out of a locked down airport and missing one’s flight all because some idiot “Winter Texan” couldn’t tell the difference between a joke and someone making a serious threat.
Zero tolerance. No pink My Little Kitty gun statements at kindergarten either! Out!!
Because humor is really subjective, I might encourage people to have the self restraint to hold off on the highjacking and bomb jokes until later…but that’s just me Mr. Fun-killer. Arresting them is probably a bit much, but I don’t think it un-reasonable to have a bit of a talk with someone who thinks it a good time to make remarks about those kind of things, just to see where it is they are coming from.
Mr. Fun-killer? Not here. I’m havin’ a real good time.
If you’re in an airport and meeting a friend named Jack…for crying out loud don’t holler, “Hi, Jack!”
Happy Hump Day, Threedonians. I come bearing coffee and after me you are first in line at the karafe (cold caffeine for those who insist, as well). I have 3 little boys in my house who woke up at 5:20, which is going to make for a cranky Tink.
Cranky?What else is new?
Cereal and cartoons till at leather 8:00am. I remember being awakened by my precocious older Sun by his coming into my room at the wee hours with an Oreo in one hand and a left over can of Dad’s rootbeer in the other. He was about two years old & couldn’t find the remote controller. Breakfast was a handle; he just needed an assist on the tube.
Don’t be too cranky, Cranky. There will be a time when you’ll long for days like these with your little guys. (I know you know
)
“At leather”? Oh, my. This is a dumb phone, not a frickin’ Ouija board. Sheesh.
But you and your boy look so happy in this picture: http://theberry.com/2013/02/18/the-definition-of-happiness-23-photos/happy-pictures-9/
Must have been some controlled substances involved.
That is adorable.
I love my shoes!!
I had to go back a look at the shoes. Sweet!
I enjoyed that Cheers clip, I don’t think I had seen it before.
So Zachmed’s AT&T ad is finally off the air and replaced by an AT&T ad about faster/slower and “Werewolf” (you’ll get that when you see the ad)… it is, in my unbiased opinion, inferior.
I concur.
Did he buy mom and pop something with his big TV bucks?
The new “faster” ad starts promisingly enough, but grinds to a halt just as quickly. Part of the fun of this series is watching the other kids react, something sorely lacking in “Wolfiie.” Long story short, inferior to anything involving cheetahs or a kid doing two things at once. Must be something magic in that lower right (or stage left) seat.
I saw it last night…bad, bad, bad.
I saw the werewolf one last night also, very inferior. I agree with Eric, the other two were far funnier.
My grandma’s slow!
I haven’t seen it. I was watching Jeopardy last night and al Gorzeera was presenting one of the categories. That just put me off my feed, so I turned the TV off & read my Calvin.
My sister was in Northampton,Massachusetts a few years ago,saw Cal’s alma mater,Amherst College.
There outta be a statue!
That fatass was in Memphis the other day…probably larded up on barbeque.
Voter fraud…naw!
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/341051/ohio-officials-poll-worker-may-have-voted-six-times-eliana-johnson
Romney got more votes in Ohio than ubama … but
lookwho’s countin’?Goya,”The Second of May,1808″
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Goya_-_Second_of_May_1808
Napoleon’s troops attacked in Madrid after he deposed the King.Some of the cavalry were recruited in Egypt and called Mamelukes.
Try again!
http://madamepickwickartblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/goya21-1024×794.jpg
Hay! Glad to see the horses again! (I thought you might be deterred ‘cuz someone around here got a burr under his saddle the other day.
)
Horses just look great in pitchers!
Do you mean buckets?
You reminded me of that old British TV show “Keeping Up Appearances”.Ever see it?
I have no independent recollection sitting here now on the train, but I do remember watching the one about the department store. Are You Being Served? was it?
What do buckets have to do? Isn’t there a Flying Circus bit about spew buckets?
About this socially striving woman named Hyacinth who is married to a man named Richard Bucket…she insist on the last name being pronounced “Boo-Kay”.She is ridiculously funny.
I just looked it up. So, what do flowers have to do with pitchers of horses? Hyacinth wants to know.
Netflix has Keeping Up Appearances. Hilarious.
We have a friend who has a big dopey dog name Onslow.
Oh, dear. Now when I read your posts, I will hear Hyacinth’s voice!
;-)
Tink, is that friend the one with the Mercedes, the sauna, and room for a pony?
@Helm-queued up.
@goozer-yeah you will, and you’ll like it, too, or else I’ll plant this ear worm on ya!
@Tink-Cute.
@ Ms. Tex – NOT my boyfriend.
@Tink-Aw, all he needs is a good woman, yo.
ooooooooooooo…it tickles when you whisper sweet nothings in my ear!
*En I keeeennnnn sten im.* Now suffer. hahahahah …
*giggle* I’m immune.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/rhode-island-nightclub-burns
Condemned to repeat history and all that…hello,Brazil.
They never learn.
And another liberal media hack bites the dust. Hey Soledad, don’t let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya. http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Journalism/2013/02/20/Report-Soledad-Out-At-CNN
Imagine being named after a California prison…poor girl.
By the way,anybody remember the Soledad Bruthuhs?
I do. That all happened before I arrived in Berkeley, but it was part of the local buzz at the time. Those low-lifes got lots of the ususal celebrity support, and it’s a sorry tale to tell that Linus Pauling was a supporter; too much
psychedelicascorbic acid, I guess.Peter Collier and David Horowitz tell the whole shabby story of the Black Panthers and how they were taken in.
That is some superior snark right there, Mr. M. Congratulations.
Imagine being a boy named Sue…
OK.
If anyone here has not seen SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert De Niro then you must!
It is an amazing movie.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj5_FhLaaQQ
I read your endorsement the other day. I had passed it up on my movies-to-see list, but I’ll reconsider based on your recommendation. Prolly see it this weekend. (It’d bettter be good.
)
It is good.
The first 1/3rd is not easy to watch as it features Bradley Cooper’s characters’ problems w/ Bipolar Disorder but once it gets good it gets good!
There is eye candy.
-For the Ladies: Bradley Cooper
-For the Men: Jennifer Freakin’ Lawrence!
So, yes, check it out. Its a romance about two people, each of whom have mental issues.
It also has a pro-psychiatry theme that is refreshing in a Hollywood where almost every movie about mental illness has a somewhat dangerous “If I have enough willpower I can overcome my Paranoid Schizophrenia!” message. (Thanks, Scientology.)
And the performances, especially by Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence (the latter MUST win the Oscar).
So, see it.
Sure,Jesse,I’ll pray for him…HA HA HA!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/02/20/jackson-fraud-charges-pleads/1931581/
Was his golddigger wife bipolar as well?Excuse me.
Highly doubtful
http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2013/02/cardinal_o_malley_in_front_row_as_contender_for_pope
They’ll probably pick an old Italian for breathing space…the one after him will be Latin American,in a few years.
Not according to Nostradamus and Malachy … the next one will be black and he’ll be the last.
FORE!
http://news.investors.com/photopopup.aspx?id=644976
Knock yourself out laffing
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2013/02/19/Menendez-visits-Karzai-corruption
Sorry I’m so late, but I needed a bit of extra beauty sleep this morning! No cracks, please! Afetr all, I am a sensitive male, and not accustomed to a lot of snark!
Anywho…Coffee, krullers and Cheers!
Lillith and Frasier always good for a cringe and some belly laughs!
Bob Beckel says that rapes don’t happen on college campuses. For those keeping score, that’s the second liberal Democrat this week to disrespect rape victims. Still waiting on the media to report on either story like they did on Todd Akin. Not holding my breath. http://hotair.com/archives/2013/02/20/bob-beckel-on-guns-when-was-the-last-time-you-heard-about-a-rape-on-campus/
Assaults don’t happen on college campuses, eh? Hmm.. Someone might want to tell a young lady at UVA that was briefly kidnapped and who suffered an attempted assault over this past weekend that that isn’t what happened to her.
He probably means when was the last time you heard of a white on black rape on campus, that was true.
What about those Duke lacrosse players? Oh, wait…
We had a serial rapist attacking women on the local campus for a year and a half. He was arrested on charges for 3 rapes a couple of weeks ago and is being investigated for 9 more during that time period.
I’m about done with Beckel. I know The Five needs a foil, but he’s transmogrified into an unprincipled, diarrhea-of-the-mouth contrarian for contrary’s sake. I can’t stand to listen to him. Greg and Eric and I might have to break up.
(gratuitous plug alert!)
Today at Commentarama Films, Andrew Price begins our look at the James Bond franchise. There will be reviews, Top 5s… the usual.
http://commentaramafilms.blogspot.com/2013/02/what-makes-good-james-bond-film.html
Hey there! I clicked over but haven’t read the entire post yet. But I can answer the question with just three words: Sean.Connery.
Pic of the week goes to Marco Rubio and Bibi Netanyahu, giving the liberal media the (metaphorical) finger: https://twitter.com/jacktink/statuses/304271598582628353
Viva la agua!