A reporter, an airplane, a little cold tablet and a lot of guns.

[Longhorn]

Source: Austin American-Statesman

How taking a vitamin tablet almost turned into a major incident.

By David Ho
NEW YORK BUREAU
Saturday, June 21, 2008

NEW YORK — "So. Turns out, I'm the security threat," I told my editor, calling him from my airline seat. The police with their assault rifles had left, along with the cop who moments before had shoved me against a jetway wall.

<snip>

An older officer approached.

"Here's the deal," he said. "A passenger saw you doing something suspicious."

"Like what?" I asked.

"Mixing something," he said.

Mixing something? I was stunned. This was about me?

I thought for half a second and then laughed before blurting out unwise words.

"It's Airborne," I said.

"What's airborne right now?" the officer said sharply.

"No, the cold medication you take when you go on an airplane," I said.

Read more: http://www.statesman.com/news/content/life/stories/travel/06/22/0622scareweb.html

---

Here's David Ho's picture:
http://www.coxwashington.com/reporters/content/reporters/ho_d.html

Any doubt why the blonde girl turned him in for mixing Airborne in his water?

[Newsjock]

1. Blonde b*tch should be sued and ruined for life

She attempted to ruin the life of an innocent man. She should pay.

I'm done with forgiving people like this. Make the bastards pay, and pay harder. That's the only way this national nightmare will ever end.

[Longhorn]

3. I've got a former son-in-law who is Lebanese

(now a US citizen) and another son-in-law who is from Israel (who will become a US citizen in the next couple of years.) It scares me what could happen to either of these wonderful young men because they look "Middle Eastern."

[iverglas]

7. decorating your misogynist language with asterisks

doesn't quite disguise it. Just thought you'd like to know.

[xioaping]

11. He gave a smart ass answer instead of cooperating

What national nightmere? A TSA officer approaches you and asks a question and you answer it politely. This guy did not. If he wants to strip search you, you go and get strip searched. Where else in the world do they take garbage from people being asked questions at a security check point? Name one. Americans are so silly it is why it makes everyone laugh at them so much.

[ArbustoBuster]

14. Did you read the same article I did?

This guy was about ten times more polite than I would have been. Here are all of the journalist's discussions with the authorities, as listed in the article:

* He got one of the extra-diligent searches at check-in. The journalist wrote that he "thanked the agent for thoroughness."

* He was asked for ID after being pulled out of his seat, and he politely said it was back at his airplane seat.

* He was grabbed by his shirt and pulled aside, at which point he said "Excuse me?" The remainder of this conversation is even more polite and is fully forthcoming in response to all questions by the authorities.

* When a worker for the airline offered "brief apologies," the journalist "told <the worker> I understood the need for caution, and I felt bad about everyone getting delayed over such a ridiculous thing." The airline worker replied, "I wish everybody had that attitude."

So what in this was in any way impolite, out of place, or disruptive of authority? More importantly, do you honestly believe that Americans (or any people, for that matter) should roll over and play dead when people in authority do stupid things?

[xioaping]

26. Then I read the article wrong.

If he was polite, then the police had no right to do what they did. I will read more carefully. I only read what was posted, not the jump.

[Hekate]

16. NO. He did NOT give a smart-ass answer. He co-operated fully. When asked, he gave the brand name...

...of the product he used. What else was he supposed to do? Since when it is reasonable to expect to be strip-searched?

I do not know where you learned to be so submissive and fearful of authorities Xioaping, but in this country we are still getting used to it.

We were a free people before 2001. The fascists who have seized power, including their employees the TSA, are NOT making us "safer" by this behavior -- all they are doing is making us more fearful. They are making sure that we are afraid to speak up at this outrageous treatment.

Hekate

[xioaping]

27. at every country I travel to when I go through security

they are in control, not me. I can not challenge them or I get problem. If this man was polite, then that is a problem. Because for sure if you cooperate then you should only have to follow the procdure.

[yardwork]

33. I read the entire article. The journalist was extremely polite.

He cooperated fully. If he hadn't, he might be dead now.

[backscatter712]

56. We shouldn't have to worry about whether we're being smartasses at the airport.

Fucking pigs.

No, 9/11 should not be sufficient excuse for them to act like Nazi Stormtroopers. Fuck them all, damn pigs.

I'm sure the pig-lovers on this board are going to give me the fifth degree for saying it, but I don't care. That's how I feel.

[trusty elf]

18. "If he wants to strip search you, you go and get strip searched."

That is a chilling remark. :scared:

Baaaaaahhhhhhhh! ! ! ! ! !

[Hekate]

23. I kind of wonder if Xioaping is from the PRC, to think this is normal. nt

[trusty elf]

24. I was thinking the same thing,

though, sadly, there are probably lots of people in the States who would agree.


Someone here recently reported having heard a caller on CSPAN asking something like "What's so great about civil liberties?"

[readmoreoften]

31. Deng Xiao Peng? Oh great totalitarian capitalist of 1980s China? Is that you?

[xioaping]

32. yes I am from PRC

But how does that make my question different. You mean I don't have to listen to what the TSA man says when I go through airport checkpoint? Really. I thought I did. Wow, that is so great. Next time they tell me to take off my shoes, I will say, "NO, I am an American. I do not have to take off my shoes at a security check point." Is that the way it works here. In PRC they do not stand for such a thing. I am so happy to have correct information from you.

[yardwork]

34. Please read the article! This man is a frequent flyer. He did everything right!

[xioaping]

37. Yes, I see that. I did not read completely. Someone else pointed that out to me n/t

[yardwork]

41. Thanks. I think that he was harassed on purpose because he's a journalist.

[havocmom]

43. Swarthy journalist...

nuances like skin color DO seem to count to brown shirts and scaredy-cat bigots who want to run to 'authorities' instead of OBSERVING & THINKING.

America is so screwn.

[uppityperson]

42. Correct information like you give here...Gore's electric bill is >$10thousand/month?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3358330&mesg_id=3360122

I would suggest that before you get outraged and more insulting, that you check your facts also.

[xioaping]

57. No one should be insulting. where did Gore come from

What is Gore's electric bill. Did have it wrong? I just wonder why someone needs to spend so much for electricity at their home if it was correct? Can you tell me how much?

[uppityperson]

58. True.No one should be insulting.Even you. Did you read my reply there?

Doesn't seem so. I'll do a quick search and give you a few links. It is still a lot, but you quote inaccurate numbers and are insulting. It might behoove you to watch that.

Here is how to do a search. Type google.com into the address bar and hit return or enter. Then type some words into google and see what comes up.

I typed in these 3 words and found lots of links : Gore electric bill
The first 3 links:
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/national_world&id=5072659
"The Center claims that Nashville Electric Services records show the Gores in 2006 averaged a monthly electricity bill of $1,359 for using 18,414 kilowatt-hours, and $1,461 per month for using 16,200 kilowatt-hours in 2005."

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/GlobalWarming/story?id=2906888
""If this were any other person with $30,000-a-year in utility bills, I wouldn't care," says the Center's 27-year-old president, Drew Johnson. "But he tells other people how to live and he's not following his own rules."" That is a yr, not a month. A year has 12 months in it.


http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=54450
"Gore's average monthly electric bill, the think tank says, is $1,359."

Still a lot, but you quote/yr, then you write "This country has no vision. Only selfish people." "Mr. Gore has done good but that is no excuse for him - or you - to be so uncaring, environmental pigs while you say other people should starve." But those are from that topic. From this one, you say "Americans are so silly it is why it makes everyone laugh at them so much." and "maybe you believe I should get on my knees and make you happy. You too funny." Being civil will get you much further and let you stay on DU much longer than the opposite.

[xioaping]

61. That was my apology for being insulting. Now going to read rest of your post n/t

[xioaping]

62. $1300 a month is his bill, not $10000.

You are correct on other points also. No good excuse. Careful read is a must also.

[xioaping]

28. It might be a chilling remark but obviously you do not

travel. Or, you also follow orders at check point and are merely speaking up here. If you travel and give checkpoint security trouble, then you get trouble. I don't see how anyone can possibly be surprised at that.

But if you have another answer, please provide it. The question: A TSA officer tells you to come with him that before you can get on the plane you must be strip searched. What will you do?

[ArbustoBuster]

54. If a TSA agent tells me I need to get strip searched...

...I will tell the TSA agent to get bent, and I return home instead of flying today.

Then I call my damned Congressman and tell him to rein in the TSA.

Perhaps it's different in a country where the leaders aren't elected.

[uppityperson]

59. Our leaders were elected?

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[xioaping]

30. Ask a simple question and you say

go somewhere else. Wow. I like your concept of debate. Before I go (which I really will not but its ok) answer me a question.

You are at an airport check point. The TSA person tell you to come with him, that you must be strip searched or you will not be allowed to get on the plan. What will you do?

If asking that question makes me a troll, then maybe you believe I should get on my knees and make you happy. You too funny.

[baldguy]

44. Just like the docile subject of a totalitarian regime should.

Unfortunately, some people are under the mistaken impression that this is still a free country.

[tabasco]

53. LOL. I'm laughing at you.

You have shown nothing but stupidity on this thread.

[yardwork]

36. I think she was a plant.

[uppityperson]

2. Thank God, another failed terrorist attempt.Everyone might've gotten HEALTHY!!!11

"safety conscious family" my butt. Paranoid, fearful of things that are not to be feared. I wonder what news she watches, how she votes. Musing and assuming and wondering if she'll vote for McCain since he has Experience(tm). And is a safe looking white grampa type of guy.

Glad he got to get back on board and fly.

[Longhorn]

4. What an idiot!

It sounds like it was her sister who called the police. I'd like to think they learned something from this but I'm not that naive.

[medeak]

5. my sunscreen was taken yesterday

at airport...although tiny it was over 2 ounces. When will the nightmare end?

[Longhorn]

6. We've got to be reminded every time we fly

that the terrorists are out to get us. :eyes:

[rebel with a cause]

47. That this happened at a NYC airport is not a surprise because

it is like a police state now. I went to the Dominican Republic in the seventies and it was during an election and their great African Swine Fever epidemic. There were police everywhere with sub-machine guns. I was terrified and glad that the good old USA was not like that. Well, since 2001 when visiting NYC, I have the same feeling and although I love NYC, I am always glad to get away from the feeling of military law enforcement.

My son looks Middle-Eastern also, and we have this type of suspicion toward him. I'm so fair conplected that people have to wear shades to talk to me, especially since my hair has gone white, so you can imagine the mixed feelings people have when they see him with me and realize I am his mother. It is hilarious to sometimes watch their faces as their minds process this information, that is if I am not to angry to see the folly of it. ;)

[xioaping]

12. Don't carry sunscreen. Buy it at the other end.

In fact, you should travel as lightly as you can to help save fuel. I see some people take two bags and a carry bag for a two day trip and I wonder how much energy they cost unnecessary.

[Hekate]

17. Nice. On my way to my mother's surgery I am supposed to waste my time buying necessary items...

...at the end of my journey. Rent a car, find a drug store, buy the goddam toothpaste.

I was given the full treatment a couple of summers ago on my way back from Mom's heart surgery. I packed ONE bag. Because I had purchased a one-way ticket TSA did everything but rip the seams out of that bag.

HOW does this make us "safer"? As I said upthread, it is designed to make a formerly free citizenry into people AFRAID OF THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT.

And it has worked very well.

Yes, this is a nightmare.

Hekate

[medeak]

19. had a one way ticket as well!

and share the name of a well known political activist who took Sean Penn to Iraq... dooooomed.

[Hekate]

22. Try giving the ticket agent a telephone number at your destination. After my little run-in with TSA

...the next time I booked a flight I mentioned it and the agent (who pulled up my entire flying history and home address with a few keystrokes) said that TSA seems to like it if you give them a freaking telephone number for where you are headed. So now I do that.

Hekate

[xioaping]

38. Yep, that is what makes traveling easier

I don't see this as I need to be afraid of my own government. What else would you have them do? i don't understand.

[medeak]

20. had two purses..how much lighter can you get?

makeup kit with toothbrush..pajamas and oh the horror sunscreen...with no baggage...jeeezus..

[xioaping]

39. Try traveling a bit lighter. Lose the suncreen and

heck, maybe we can all just fly naked. I understand what you say but I really do not take any liquid of any kind with me now and it makes it easier to travel. No toothpaste as you bring with you.

[uppityperson]

40. They should make people pee before getting on the plane also.

I mean a full bladder must weigh more than 2 ounces of sunscreen.

[rebel with a cause]

49. I retain fluid big time.

Take medication for it but they better have a body pump (if there is such a thing) on hand just in case. :rofl:

[frogcycle]

8. I read something a while back explaining what it would take

to actually make something dangerous using "common household liquids."

Don't recall the details, but it required carefully mixing some of this and some of that, then letting something precipitate out, separating it, smearing it on a piece of paper or something, letting it dry...

the gist of it was you'd have to hole up in the lavatory for at least half an hour, then you'd have a little bit of something that if you placed it strategically against the cabin wall and ignited it MIGHT cause cabin decompression

for this, we can't fly with hand lotion.

[InkAddict]

10. Wow, see where my head is - When he said "airborne"

I thought, "Twelve Monkeys" germs, not alternative meds. He's lucky they didn't call for a quick quarantine of everyone in the airport and bring in the space-suited CDC and a forced most-thorough physical examination.

The again, I'd also like to verify that he hadn't met that girl and offered her a chance to be a paid actress for a story. NYT never seemed to hesitate printing Judy's stuff. Just sayin'.

[DRoseDARs]

9. And the kicker is that Airborne is a placebo. It's snake oil for the modern sucker.

A glass of orange juice and washing your damn hands are better protection against the common cold.

[Carnea]

21. Good God lets not start another Homeopathic Medications leads to terrorism

thread ....

We already have one in the lounge.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x7850329

[Spock_is_Skeptical]

29. what, you mean it doesn't???

anyway, what a stupid bitch.

[BuddhaGirl]

50. umm...Airborne isn't homeopathic

it's vitamins & minerals, antioxidants and amino acids. All good stuff.

[uppityperson]

52. You do know there is a difference between homeopathy & megadosing on vitamins, right?

Just checking since you don't seem clear on that. Megadose vitamin gummy bears are different from homeopathic medicines. Megadose vitamins in fizzy form, like Airborne, are different than homeopathic medicines.

Making sure you realize that there is difference.

[uppityperson]

51. Just for fun, information on Airborne dietary supplement...

Starting with the quickie wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airborne_(dietary_supplement)
Airborne is a dietary supplement and health formula which is claimed to help ward off harmful bacteria and germs, and help prevent the flu and the common cold. The formula, created by a school teacher, contains herbal extracts, amino acids, antioxidants, electrolytes, synthetic vitamins, and other ingredients, and can be purchased in many U.S. retail stores over-the-counter in three different forms: a tablet which can be taken orally or dissolved in water, a chewable "Gummi" lozenge, or a concentrated powder.

On March 4, 2008, Airborne Health Inc. agreed to pay $23.3 million to settle a class-action lawsuit brought against the company claiming that there is no evidence that the supplement wards off harmful bacteria and germs. Customers will be refunded for any Airborne they have ever bought.

Off to Airborne site:

http://www.airbornehealth.com/

1000mg Vit C is a good dose, looks like it is basic vitamins and some herbal stuff. I wouldn't call it a placebo but more of a high dose vitamin C with a bit more stuff.

Another fun fact, echinacea is cone flower.

St John's wort if a hypercium. Got both growing as flowers. Funny.

[galledgoblin]

13. "It's airborne."

who's on first?

:rofl:

[JohnyCanuck]

15. Resigned disgust? That describes how I feel after 2 terms of Dick and the kid.

"Dissolves in liquid, right?" the officer said, holding the brightly labeled plastic tube. He spoke with a resigned disgust that seemed to say he was tired of never-ending false alarms.

The Officer needs to watch "The Power of Nightmares".

Part 1

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2798679275960015727

Part 2

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6277881193659506084

Part 3

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1433149975726132762

The Power of Nightmares, subtitled The Rise of the Politics of Fear, is a BBC documentary film series, written and produced by Adam Curtis. The series consists of three one-hour films, consisting mostly of a montage of archive footage with Curtis's narration, which were first broadcast in the United Kingdom in late 2004 and have been subsequently aired in multiple countries and shown in several film festivals, including the 2005 Cannes Film Festival.

Part 1: Baby It's Cold Outside Part 2: The Phantom Victory Part 3: The Shaddows in the Cave

The films compare the rise of the American Neo-Conservative movement and the radical Islamist movement, making comparisons on their origins and noting strong similarities between the two. More controversially, it argues that the threat of radical Islamism as a massive, sinister organised force of destruction, specifically in the form of al-Qaeda, is in fact a myth perpetrated by politicians in many countries and particularly American Neo-Conservatives in an attempt to unite and inspire their people following the failure of earlier, more utopian ideologies.

The Power of Nightmares has been praised by film critics in both Britain and the United States. Its message and content have also been the subject of various critiques and criticisms from conservatives and progressives.

http://www.amazon.com/Power-Nightmares-Adam-Curtis/dp/B001707D98/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1213802747&sr=8-2

[yardwork]

35. Several aspects of this jump out at me.

Excerpts from his article:

On June 16, I flew JetBlue from New York to Las Vegas to report on a telecommunications conference.

A journalist was flying to report on a telecommunications conference. Hmmmm.

I write about many things. Tech, telecom, toys, terrorism. I even write about airlines and the aftermath of 9/11.

He's probably on the Bush administration list of non-compliant journalists.

The police boarded, guns and all. Two rows behind me, they picked out a young woman with short blond hair and a stud below her lower lip. They left with her and her bags.

....Many said the blond woman had called the police on me. She soon returned, moved to the front row.

....

I spotted the blond woman at the baggage claim and demanded an explanation.

She apologized. She said she had seen something that concerned her and she called her sister, who then called the police.

"I have a very cautious family," she said.

A woman with a stud below her lower lip freaked out when she saw a man dropping a tablet in a water bottle and drinking it. She has a very cautious family? How do they feel about her face stud?

I don't believe her. I think that this journalist was harassed deliberately. I think that stud-girl was a plant.

[malaise]

45. They have turned flying into a fugging nightmare

for innocent passengers.

[Blue_Tires]

60. +1

[baldguy]

46. If someone reports a fire falsely, they are charged with a crime.

Why isn't it the same with falsely reporting a terrorist?

[AlCzervik]

48. you know if that was me i bet you $100 bucks no one would have said anything.

[backscatter712]

55. Stupid++. I'm absolutely sick of the paranoia.

Stupid bitch++ for causing innocent people to nearly get arrested, Rodney-Kinged and subjected to the latex glove treatment. Fucking paranoid.

And stupid pigs, for acting like Imperial Stormtroopers, manhandling innocent people over a fucking vitamin tablet. Fucking paranoid.

Stupid fucking president, stupid fucking government, stupid fucking airports. All of them. Fucking paranoid.

I'd literally rather risk another 9/11 in exchange for making all of the above go away. I'd literally rather take that 0.0000000000001% chance of being aboard that airliner with hijackers in exchange for feeling like a free man while aboard that airplane. I'm sick of fucking paranoia.