Logan security again goes too far

[2rth2pwr]

An irritable passenger reportedly offended by security questions was arraigned today on charges he told Logan Airport officials he was an al-Qaeda terrorist here to “blow things up.”
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1035257&format=text
Ermyas Asfaw, 27, of Washington, D.C., posted $1,500 cash bail after pleading innocent in East Boston District court to a single charge of false communication of an explosive device.

Massport officials tell the Herald Asfaw had a ticket on his bag from Dubai of the United Arab Emirates and security began asking him questions Saturday night.

“He seemed aggravated and said ‘I’m al-Qaeda and I’m here to blow things up,’ ” said Massport spokesman Phil Orlandella.This is the second bomb scare at Logan in the past two weeks. An MIT student, Star Simpson, 19, reportedly walked into the airport last month with a circuit board strapped to her chest and carrying a glob of Play-Doh. Her unusual behavior also sent the airport into a terror alert.

State police confronted Asfaw after he appeared to become annoyed with security questions. That’s when he lashed out, officials say.

Another college aged person harassed by the police state. Their aggressive questioning causes incidents like this.

[shain from kane]

1. "...false communication of an explosive device." as compared to communication of a false explosive

device by Star Simpson.

[damntexdem]

2. Not that the form of the lashing out shows much intelligence.

Of course, an actual terrorist would be too-well-trained to lash out like this, so its occurrence is itself evidence of likely innocence.

But we must all watch what we say in a police state.

[Atman]

3. I'm sorry, every sane person knows you NEVER say shit like that out loud

No matter how obviously sarcastic you think you sound. In defense of "the officials," for whom I actually have very little defense, can you imagine what would happen if the guy DID have a bomb, and wound up able to beat airport security just by acting smug and sarcastic? What would the criticism be then?

This kind of stuff has gone way too far, no doubt. But it hasn't been fixed yet. If it ever will be. In the meantime, until we return to a more sane society wherein people -- "officials" and citizens -- exhibit a bit more common sense, this kind of so-called harassment is going to continue.

I think it's unfair to characterize this as just another college kid getting harassed. The kid was stupid.

.

[KurtNYC]

4. What?! Sounds more like "passanger from Dubai goes too far"

I starting to think that every other person on earth has the emotional state of a 3 year-old child. What a stupid way to handle oneself. And the play dough girl was even worse.

[Vickers]

5. He's an idiot to say something like that at an airport.

There are signs all over Logan specifically telling you NOT to say stuff like that.

I agree that TSA is a pain in the butt, but geez.

[FormerDittoHead]

7. The signs were there before 9/11 to not even JOKE about it...

Esp at Logan - where the 9/11 planes were hijacked from...

As poster above noted - what would WE have said, right here, in all truthfulness, had this guy been a hijacker, been let on board, sarcastic tone or no tone aside, saying those actual words? The "LIHOP" guys would be all the hell over it..

Fully 70% of the time I say sarcastic things *here* I'm asked if I'm serious, and now I make it a habit to add the :sarcasm: thingy...

I personally thought he got off quite easy. $1,500 bail for being a loudmouth smartass while Arab is a lot better than a trip down to Cuba...

[sniffa]

6. weLL, did you notice their skin tones?

they shouLd have both been tasered.

[2rth2pwr]

8. That is exactly why they were singled out. nt