Aqua Teen Hunger Force Terrorizes Boston

[Decade]

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/breaking_news/2007/01/suspicious_pack.html

In short, everyone in Boston was terrified all day long because of the appearance of many "bomb-like objects" found around the city throughout the day.

The MBTA stopped running, traffic got FUCKED, and people were afraid about what would be happening any minute.


Just to find out at the END OF THE FUCKING DAY from Ted FUCKING Turner "Woops, sorry. That's just our advertising for Aqua Teen Hunger Force."


:eyepop:

...I've come to the decision that the only way Ted Turner will make this up is by surrendering one of his testicles to the city of Boston. We don't mind which one, but we'll be expecting it by the end of the week.

On a more serious note:

WHY THE FUCK did they wait till the END of the working day to tell the authorities instead of telling the city in the MORNING so that traffic and subway systems could have had time to clear up BEFORE the rush hour?

FUCK YOU Turner.

[kilreli]

does anyone have a picture of the "bomb-like object"?

[悲しいパンダ]

does anyone have a picture of the "bomb-like object"?
Yeah! Pictures or GTFO!

Note: I have a friend named Google that was there. I'll see if he has any pictures.

[chibi1284]

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/breaking_news/2007/01/suspicious_pack.html

In short, everyone in Boston was terrified all day long because of the appearance of many "bomb-like objects" found around the city throughout the day.

The MBTA stopped running, traffic got FUCKED, and people were afraid about what would be happening any minute.


Just to find out at the END OF THE FUCKING DAY from Ted FUCKING Turner "Woops, sorry. That's just our advertising for Aqua Teen Hunger Force."


:eyepop:

...I've come to the decision that the only way Ted Turner will make this up is by surrendering one of his testicles to the city of Boston. We don't mind which one, but we'll be expecting it by the end of the week.

On a more serious note:

WHY THE FUCK did they wait till the END of the working day to tell the authorities instead of telling the city in the MORNING so that traffic and subway systems could have had time to clear up BEFORE the rush hour?

FUCK YOU Turner.

Not that I think its ethical, for the marketing ploy, but what does Ted Turner have to do with this? Does he own Cartoon Network? Does he have anything to do with the marketing of Cartoon Network?

[Mechs]

That's classic.

[h2orowe]

ATHF isn't even that good, sheesh. I mean some of the characters are funny (actually most) but Master Shake makes it nearly unbearable to watch. He's just so unfunny. -_-;

[Y.T.]

I don't know about the US, but if anyone pulled anything like that in Slovakia, he would get prosecuted for "spreading panic", and sentenced to several years.
No difference between leaving mock bombs and phoning bomb threats imho.

Maybe they'll get off free... In a country where people go to jail for a blowjob..

[Decade]

Not that I think its ethical, for the marketing ploy, but what does Ted Turner have to do with this? Does he own Cartoon Network? Does he have anything to do with the marketing of Cartoon Network?

Cartoon Network is under Ted Turner Broadcasting. Read the article.



I just want to make a note that if I were any where else in the country (well, maybe not the other cities this was happening in), I WOULD have found this all hilarious.

Still, they fucked up.

Pick the testicle, Turner.

[Shamu]

It's funny, this is all over the AS boards (yes, I'm a member there >_>) and it's turned in to a big flame war over whether or not Turner and Co. will get in trouble (Turner Broadcasting owns Adult Swim/Cartoon Network).
I dunno what's going to happen in terms of fines/jail time/whatever, but someone's ass is gonna at least get fired for this. :frypan:

[h2orowe]

It's funny, this is all over the AS boards (yes, I'm a member there >_>) and it's turned in to a big flame war over whether or not Turner and Co. will get in trouble (Turner Broadcasting owns Adult Swim/Cartoon Network).
I dunno what's going to happen in terms of fines/jail time/whatever, but someone's ass is gonna at least get fired for this. :frypan:
LOL which section?! I'm gonna go check right now XD is it Babbling, IB, or comedy? Or all three :watson:

[Shamu]

I think it's everywhere Joey. But I've seen most of it in the "Williams Street Culture" section.

[Decade]

You guys arnt going to believe this.

From the front page of Boston.com:

http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2007/01/31/1170286810_6244.jpg

...a mooninite.

A FUCKING MOONINITE?! THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE THOUGHT WERE BOMBS?! THAT'S WHY COPS DID 2 CONTROLED DETONATIONS TODAY?!

...I swear to God, people in this country have the smarts to drown in the rain

[Jetsetlemming]

O_o That's a bomb? You gotta be kidding. -_-
"OMG THAT FLAT PIECE OF PLASTIC/PAPER WITH A CARTOON ON IT COULD BE EXPLOSIVE!"

[Daishikaze]

I weep for the future.

[Decade]

O_o That's a bomb? You gotta be kidding. -_-
"OMG THAT FLAT PIECE OF PLASTIC/PAPER WITH A CARTOON ON IT COULD BE EXPLOSIVE!"

Actually, they were "Magnetic lights" according to a Boston.com article that did seem to have some kind of circuit breakers.

Regardless...I'm dumbfounded there wasn't a young person in the area who recognized it was a fucking mooninite.

[Citizen]

Wow. Just wow.

The government has the nation so afraid of terrorism that some Mooninite promotional ATHF doohickeys nearly shut town an entire large city? That's just sad. Sad and pathetic. Turner shouldn't get into trouble for this. Noone should.

Because there was no reason to believe that something as harmless as those ads should have bothered anyone. Also, there's also the fact that, regardless of wether or not fear was spread, the ATHF promos were not distributed with the intent to spread fear. If I remember correctly, the intent is what makes or breaks cases like this.

[Soli]

I'm sure it started with only a few people who saw the thing and panicked. Then the panic spread to everybody around. Not everybody in Boston who was afraid of the "bomb" had actually seen it.

So you can't call everybody in Boston stupid. >< It was just a few people who made a mistake and obviously didn't know what a "mooninite" was.

[Jako]

The advertisement was also done in nine other cities.

If anyone's to blame, it should be the newly-founded Down's Syndrome in the city of Boston.

[Neon Pink Shoehorn]

I must admit, I enjoyed hearing a a straightlaced, gravitas-filled newscaster utter the words "Aqua Teen Hunger Force."

[Pierrot le Fou]

It's because I wasn't there to prevent it. I have only myself to blame. The last bastion of common sense in Boston emigrated to Japan.

It's a national tragedy.

[SlickWilly440]

I have seen a few episodes but don't really keep up with the show. I am not used to those type of 15 minutes shows so I am really not into the series, and thought it would be eventually cancelled.

[Jetsetlemming]

I must admit, I enjoyed hearing a a straightlaced, gravitas-filled newscaster utter the words "Aqua Teen Hunger Force."
That's easily worth one of Ted Turner's testicles. :clap:

[Psychochink]

a) This is hilarious.

b) People are stupid.

c) If the level of blind fear in American cities is this high, then the terrorists have achieved a major part of their objective.

Hell, it's the defining thing about their methodology, it's in their name - "One who inspires terror." When Joe American is prepared to so easily be afraid, to change his routine, to create a major climate of fear...then they get exactly what they want.

The thing is, this is a well-known fact, and is the major reason why I harbour serious reservations about the motivations of the American Government in perpetuating and encouraging this attitude. I don't think the government is stupid, which raises the question as to why they're dealing with the issue the way that they are - and the motivations behind it.

My mother was living in London in 1973-74 and I was discussing this point with her earlier. By and large, the average Londoner wasn't wandering around in a perpetual state of high alert, ready to panic at the drop of a hat. There seemed to be a basic recognition of the fact that, if they did that, then the Provos got what they wanted - and they'd be bloody well damned if they'd give the bastards the satisfaction. (For those of you not in the know, the Provisional Irish Republican Army set off a total of 76 bombs in London in those two years.)

Slightly off topic a bit, the Brits had the right idea when it comes to dealing with these guys - treat them as criminals. By declaring this 'War on Terror', treating them as 'enemy combatants', etc. - that gives them a strong sense of legitimacy, both in their own eyes and the eyes of the world.

[Masa the Masta]

Maybe the terrorists are incahoots with the U.S government.

[Psychochink]

I seriously doubt it - but I definitely think that the U.S. government is using the opportunity they've been given to push an agenda of their own.

What? Who knows - I don't think as long-term, politically, as they probably are. (Which makes the fact that I will be voting in the Senate preselection in the party currently comprising our government slightly worrying)

[SlickWilly440]

Wasn't there a similar incident that happed around some neighborhood. Some kids make Mario Boxes and put them at people doors, near buildings, etc. Then the bomb squad had to come out and investigate. Inside the colorfully wrapped question marked boxes was a colorful mushroom, or flower, etc like in Mario.

[Jetsetlemming]

"By and large, the average Londoner wasn't wandering around in a perpetual state of high alert, ready to panic at the drop of a hat."
Neither is the average American.
This wasn't even a case of the general populus panicking. This was a case of certain individuals panicking, calling 911, and the police taking it seriously because they HAVE to take everything seriously, and it's not like they knew beforehand that it was just magnet advertisements with lights attached.

[Decade]

All I know is that it's a sad, sad day when a cartoon character is mistaken for an explosive device.

Osama: 10+
US: score pending.

[kilreli]

lol i could see how people could be scared. its not like everyone watches cartoon network(blasphemy, i know):mario:
It's because I wasn't there to prevent it. I have only myself to blame. The last bastion of common sense in Boston emigrated to Japan.

It's a national tragedy.
:rofl: it truly is. another trajedy is that the people of Boston, nay Mass., drive like they are Japanese. Its crazy there!

[Daishikaze]

I just read on another forum, that Turner said those things were put up 2 or 3 weeks ago.

If true, not only does this incident make people look stupid, it also makes them very very slow. Thus, Boston seems to be begging for a terrorist attack if they are this oblivious.

[h2orowe]

Little Johnny Boston was walking home from work one day, when he stumbled upon a brown paper bag. Inside the paper bag was powdered donuts. "Oooh! Yum!" shouted little Johnny Boston. "Powdery donuts! My favorite!".

Little Johnny Boston died soon after. From anthrax.





D=

[kilreli]

rofl. thats cold as ice

[Kass]

WTF is a Mooninite?

[Pierrot le Fou]

They're 4-bit aliens belonging to 80's style computer graphics with foul mouths, bad tempers, and no regard for the law.

[Saitou Hajime]

Two of the men who put up the signs were arrested, and the mayor is holding Turner accountable for police costs. (http://www.optonline.net/News/Article/Feeds?CID=type%3Dxml%26channel%3D32%26article%3D20 994644)

[Trump]

well, I bet the advertising worked....

[Sock Full of Boiled Dimes]

WTF is a Mooninite?

This is why stupid people thought it was a bomb.

I'm not saying you are stupid, but I'm sure you wouldn't let YOUR imagination run away with you.

[Kass]

My next question would be, "Why would anyone over the age of 25 be expected to know what it is?"

Followed shortly thereafter by, "Why are the 9-1-1 calls being investigated because there was no real panic in the calls and all the calls came about the same time for different locations?"

Perhaps because someone connected to the marketing campaign made the calls? It isn't like people were noticing the stupid things before the "panicked" calls.

[Mastiker]

Damn you decade for beating me to it! I was going to post it when I heard about it but couldn't due to lack of internet fastness XD

other news link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16902707

aaand it has a much better picture which would explain why people would think it was a bomb (but I still think they're asstards)

http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070131/070131_boston_hlarg_3p.hlarge.jpg

There's a little black box that people are all "zomg that's a bomb" because they seemingly can't get the concept of batteries XD

edit: I was also gonna call it "Aqua Teen Terror Force" :innocent:

Don't know if anybody else said this already though... I just sorta skimmed it.

[Decade]

If true, not only does this incident make people look stupid, it also makes them very very slow. Thus, Boston seems to be begging for a terrorist attack if they are this oblivious.

Hilarious isn't it? Funniest part of all is that last night they called this on Fox News "A drill" for an actual terrorist attack.

"So how did Boston do?"
Boston official: "I think we did an excellent job! We responded to it very quickly and addressed the threat in a timely manner."


:rofl: Moron.


Two of the men who put up the signs were arrested, and the mayor is holding Turner accountable for police costs.
I heard that Turner is supposed to be in Boston today to discuss this with the authorities. I also heard Deval Patrick is demanding $500,000 to cover the costs of yesterdays fiasco.

My next question would be, "Why would anyone over the age of 25 be expected to know what it is?"
Half-correction:

Why would anyone over the age of 25 OR anyone whose not a 35 year old male virgin be expected to know this?

My main problem isn't with the older crowd, it's that there were a younger crowd all over the city who didn't recognize it. Given that not everyone watches it, I really doubt there wasn't at least a few who saw it and said "Oh, a mooninite."

Most embarrasing news about it all? I heard from my folks back home that they knew it was just an ad at NOON from Yahoo News.

Boston didn't "actually" know till 5PM. :bang:

Little Johnny Boston was walking home from work one day, when he stumbled upon a brown paper bag. Inside the paper bag was powdered donuts. "Oooh! Yum!" shouted little Johnny Boston. "Powdery donuts! My favorite!".

Little Johnny Boston died soon after. From anthrax.

High five!


Damn you decade for beating me to it! I was going to post it when I heard about it but couldn't due to lack of internet fastness XD

YOU FAIL! :rofl:

I like you, do you like me? :innocent:

[Trump]

A bomb? It looks like a sign with lights on it. People are stupid.

[Mastiker]

YOU FAIL! :rofl:

I like you, do you like me? :innocent:

If I have to :watson:

I just thought of something great for all ATHF watchers... there should be an episode dedicated to this. However, the entire time they will just go on a stupid adventure or whatever. Doesn't matter what they do. They just need to end it with Frylock saying "F***ing Boston"

I think if I see this, I will die laughing. I'm not even that huge of a fan of the show, but I'll watch every episode from here on out just to see if they reference this, because they totally should XD

[Stephy]

A bomb? It looks like a sign with lights on it. People are stupid.
A sign with lights on it... that could potentially blow up! ;p kidding.

I don't live far from Boston, I am surprised with this news and surprised that I didn't hear about it until now.

[Mastiker]

A sign with lights on it... that could potentially blow up! ;p kidding.

I don't live far from Boston, I am surprised with this news and surprised that I didn't hear about it until now.

I actually heard about it from VGCats before I heard about it in school XD

Isn't it awesome how a comic book site can give me my news before the news, and better?

XD

[RandomPasserby]

Now after this, the terrorist cell that has infiltrate Turner's company will do the same again, jsut with a brick of plastic explosive where the batteries were!

I can kind of see where the bomb thing comes with Mastika's picture as there is a suspicious block with electronics in it there and that doesn't look like a spot for advertisements and not everyone knows what a mooninite is (it could be a nerd bomb with an attitude!). Kinda like a lone suitcase in public place in England.

[Mastiker]

Now after this, the terrorist cell that has infiltrate Turner's company will do the same again, jsut with a brick of plastic explosive where the batteries were!

I can kind of see where the bomb thing comes with Mastika's picture as there is a suspicious block with electronics in it there and that doesn't look like a spot for advertisements and not everyone knows what a mooninite is (it could be a nerd bomb with an attitude!). Kinda like a lone suitcase in public place in England.

Mastiker or Tikky XD Oddly enough, I'm actually picky about my name being spelled right, even though it's not even close to being an actual word...

ANYWAYS while it doesn't look like an advert, it also doesn't look like a bomb. If I saw that (without knowing it was ATHF) I probably wouldn't think anything of it... well, not saying I'd be like "oh, that's just a silly cartoon" but I'm really not afraid of a terrorist attack. If it happens it happens, but I'm not gonna worry about it. The likliness of me being in a terrorist act is about as likely as me becoming Harrison Ford. :innocent:

[Jetsetlemming]

I've lost some of my best suitcases in England. D:

[RandomPasserby]

Ot: But Mastika rhymes with Swastika which is a lucky symbol.

[Saitou Hajime]

My next question would be, "Why would anyone over the age of 25 be expected to know what it is?"

"Research indicates that Cartoon Network is watched by more adults (18-34) than E Entertainment, USA, Discovery, TV Land, CNBC, A&E, and VH1, among others."

Maybe that's why lalz. Adult Swim has a very... hm... how should I say this... adult demographic.

[Plekto]

What's really sad is that the two people who were hired by the NYC advertizing firm to distribute them are being charged and hauled off to court.

If anything the blame is entirely with the advertizing firm for not making it more obvious - liek a small "Cartoon Network" name at the bottom - or choosing Frylock, who is 100X more recognizeable.(Meatwad isn't as recognizeable, but he's my favorite, naturally)

[Saitou Hajime]

Yeah, I think it's pretty awful that the people who put them up are being arrested over the whole thing.

[Roxie]

I don't think Cartoon Network could've dreamt of anything better.

Weird Bostonians :p

[Masa the Masta]

http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/7499/1170357160230wj0.jpg

Epic win.

[Decade]

^Indeed :innocent:

[Shamu]

http://www.adultswim.com/

It's all really silly....

[Dresh]

Watching the slideshow on YTMND (http://aquateenhungerbomb.ytmnd.com/), it is difficult to see how these things could be miscontstrued as bombs. Though I can see it in the picture posted here earlier.

[chibi1284]

http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1739538

Here is a little press conference of the two guys who put up the ads. They are freaking awesome!

[King Kong]

lol. Americans.

[Decade]

God those two are idiots.

If they had any smarts about what they did, they would have listened to Turner and KEPT THEIR MOUTHS SHUT. Seriously, even their lawyer told them to shut up, and all they've done is make their casenow 50 times harder AGAINST them.

I felt sorry for them today. I saw this, and now I really don't care.

And that's what's going to get them fucked for all of this in the end.


In other news, one of those mooninities was on ebay today and hit $5000 relatively early.

Unfortunately, ebay took it down right away.

[Roxie]

Freeze me and wake me up in 50 years when grown adults aren't crapping themselves over things that run on electricity.
"IT'S WITCHCRAFT! IT CREATES LIGHT YET IT IS NOT A CANDLE!"

2 Good Vids about it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kdP8WBB4lI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kdP8WBB4lI

[Roxie]

The MOST hilarious vid about the scare.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G-D0F4Q9yk

[Decade]

Seriously, hilarious vids.

I gotta move outta boston now, it's just to embarrassing.

[Nannou]

Don't those things need an oldschool alarm clock or some sort of digital display with a countdown before they are considered a bomb?

[Mastiker]

Don't those things need an oldschool alarm clock or some sort of digital display with a countdown before they are considered a bomb?

In accordance with the Stereotypical Terrorist Act bill that was passed in 1982, yes, yes they do. :watson:

[King Kong]

When I visit America next year, Im going to place sausages wrapped in toilet paper in designated places to see the consequences unfold. People running around naked, panicing, policemen being interviewed and attempting to keep a poker face whilst saying; "this is not a funny matter", fat people rolling off cliffs etc.

[Beowulf]

I can just see an old person staring at one of these things for about 10 minutes:

1. Lights? CHECK

2. Technology? CHECK

3. Wires? CHECK

4. Battery? CHECK

OMG IT'S A BOMB!!!!11!!

[CrazyAce86]

This was on Channel 9 News last night. My family's reactions, and I quote:

Grandmother: *rolls eyes* Idiots.
Mother: Fucking retards.
Aunt: They look Lite-Brites!
Father: O_o They're kidding, right?
Me: Nope, read it online.
Mother: So that's the center of stupidity.
Everyone: Yup.

No offense to all (five) intelligent Bostonians, but wha tha fuh?

Of course, watching Derek McGinty (news anchor) try and convince everyone that the show is hilarious was funny.

Derek: It's great, you should watch!
Tracey: It's a talking meatball!
Derek: That's why it's funny!

[Kass]

"Research indicates that Cartoon Network is watched by more adults (18-34) than E Entertainment, USA, Discovery, TV Land, CNBC, A&E, and VH1, among others."

Maybe that's why lalz. Adult Swim has a very... hm... how should I say this... adult demographic.

With a name like "Aqua Teen Hunger Force," I'm supposed to be remotely interested?

Let me rephrase...

Why would anyone over the age of 25 with a life be expected to recognize this stupid thing?

[King Kong]

With a name like "Aqua Teen Hunger Force," I'm supposed to be remotely interested?

Let me rephrase...

Why would anyone over the age of 25 with a life be expected to recognize this stupid thing?

Those with a sense of humor, maybe?

The same way people over the age of 25 watch South park or the boondocks.

Obviously, you are getting old.

[Trump]

There are some very funny episodes (and some very stupid ones). I don't know, I guess I tend to prefer cartoons to watching other people do stupid things to make their lives more dramatic (IE most shows on major networks). I screw my own life up well enough and don't need to watch anyone else do it too.

[Decade]

When I visit America next year, Im going to place sausages wrapped in toilet paper in designated places to see the consequences unfold. People running around naked, panicing, policemen being interviewed and attempting to keep a poker face whilst saying; "this is not a funny matter", fat people rolling off cliffs etc.


If you talk about your hair at the press conference afterwards, I'll personally hand your ass to you.

Of course, watching Derek McGinty (news anchor) try and convince everyone that the show is hilarious was funny.

Derek: It's great, you should watch!
Tracey: It's a talking meatball!
Derek: That's why it's funny!

I was asked at work what the show was about.

Me: "It's about a milkshake, a pack of fries, and this wad of meat that--"
Coworker: :confused:
Me: "...yea, nevermind, just know it's stupid."

Seriously, I need to move outta boston now.

[Roxie]

you mean, you didn't immediately chide your coworker for being intellectually lazy and remind them of the internet's fab resources?

How Bostonian of you.

[Decade]

This Midol ad was brought to you by ^

EDIT:
Jumped the gun on this one I guess, my bad.

[Beowulf]

Why would anyone over the age of 25 with a life be expected to recognize this stupid thing?
So because it's a pop-culture symbol that you don't recognize instantly means "BOMB"

[Roxie]

Best Week Ever PSA: More Things You Should Not Just Leave Laying Around, Lest They Be Mistaken For a Bomb

To help you though this uncertain post-9/11 time where cartoon marketing schemes can be mistaken for acts of terrorism, we have prepared for you a list of items we reccomend not just leave laying around your city all willy nilly, lest you find YOURSELF involved in the next LiteBriteGate scandal:

Lite Brite - Little kids using tiny pegs to make shapes they think looks like a butterfly (even though it really doesn’t) seems harmless enough, but you stick it under a freeway overpass and you’ve got yourself a death-dealing warhead of fear.

Stuffed Animals - Cute teddy bears might seem like the last place you’d hide a weapon of mass destruction, but if you’re an evil terrorist, they’re the FIRST place you’d hide it.

VCR - There’s the right way to switch your home entertainment center over to DVD (place obsolete VCR into box DVD player came in and clearly mark contents), and there’s the FREEDOM-HATING TERRORIST WAY (just setting it out on the street where it will terrify people).

Poisonous Snakes - Nature’s original terrorists.

Uneaten Burrito from Chipotle - Not sure what it is, but these things just look dangerous to me.

Storage Lockers Full of Videos and Pictures of Yourself Acting Like a Total Whore With a Bunch of LA Douchebag Cokeheads - The catastrophic impact this could have on our society is immeasurable.

The Semi-Automatic Weapons You Can Purchase At Your Local Strip Mall - Put into the wrong context, these could be mistaken for instruments of death.

A DVD Copy of Road House Starring Patrick Swayze - Could send unsuspecting passerbys into deadly fits of catastrophic laughter.

Used Condoms - Not really dangerous, but definitely gross.

Your Babies - We’re looking at you, Britney.

People of Middle Eastern Descent (especially Muslims) - When driving taxis and running convenience stores, people with dark skin do not frighten us. But when they’re just HANGING AROUND ON OUR STREETS, who knows what kinds of wicked homicidal thoughts might be hatching in their heads?

[Roxie]

Boston Scare Case Could Be Hard to Prove

By MARK JEWELL
Associated Press Writer

BOSTON (AP) -- Some legal experts say prosecutors will have a hard time proving that two men intended to cause a scare when they planted blinking electronic devices around Boston in a publicity stunt for a cartoon show.

They say the key difficulties prosecutors face are demonstrating that the men intended to cause fear, and that the devices, which depict a cartoon character, looked dangerous. The state must prove both to win felony convictions for placing a hoax device, the experts said.

"Their intent was to place these devices as part of an admittedly idiotic advertising campaign," said defense attorney Edward P. Ryan Jr., a former president of the Massachusetts Bar Association. "Just because people got scared doesn't mean there was intent."

Peter Berdovsky, 27, and Sean Stevens, 28, were paid to place the devices to promote a television show on the Turner Broadcasting System subsidiary Cartoon Network, and even took videos documenting their work.

David White-Lief, the state bar's president-elect and a Boston lawyer, said the lighted boxes probably do not meet the state statute's definition of a hoax device, which must resemble an "infernal machine." He interprets that description to mean something that looks like dynamite or a Molotov cocktail.

But the devices in Boston, which displayed a boxy-looking cartoon character giving the finger, "looked like toys," White-Lief said.

More than three dozen electronic signs were placed in high-profile spots in Boston weeks before authorities responded Wednesday. Authorities shut down highways, bridges and river traffic while bomb squads checked out devices that turned out to be harmless. There was barely a stir in nine other cities across the country where similar devices were placed.

Berdovsky and Stevens pleaded not guilty Thursday and were released on $2,500 bail. They face up to five years in prison if convicted.

At the arraignment, Assistant Attorney General John Grossman focused on a device that had been placed on a highway support beam, saying police believed it might have been a bomb because it contained a cylinder wrapped in duct tape, a power source and a circuit board.

"It's clear the intent was to get attention by causing fear and unrest that there was a bomb in that location," Grossman said.

But White-Lief said the only intent was to get people to watch a cartoon.

"What they did, I imagine, in their minds, was no different than a guy who wallpapers ads for the circus on a vacant building," he said.

White-Lief said it could also prove difficult to win convictions on a second count the men face, misdemeanor disorderly conduct, which is generally related to an immediate annoyance or threat. But the devices were in place for a couple of weeks before police were notified.

Critics have mocked Boston for overreacting.

"If they were bombs, at that response rate, the city would have been screwed," said Norajean McCarthy, 24, a friend of both suspects.

Safety officials, however, have praised the response as evidence of the city's ability to respond quickly to a crisis.

"The coordinated response by all departments proves the system we have in place works," Mayor Thomas Menino said.

During a visit to Providence, R.I., Friday, Homeland Security's Undersecretary for Preparedness George Foresman said Boston officials conducted "a very seamless and coordinated response."

Menino has estimated the costs of the publicity stunt in Boston alone to be more than $500,000, while the costs for the local transit system and the cities of Cambridge and Somerville could be another $500,000.

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley said Friday that her office was negotiating a restitution deal with Turner and the New York-based marketing firm hired for the campaign, as well as local authorities.

Turner Broadcasting, a unit of Time Warner Inc., apologized to Boston-area residents in full page newspaper ads Friday, with Turner's chairman and CEO expressing regret for "the confusion and inconvenience."

Also Friday, the chief executive of the marketing firm issued an apology. Sam Ewen of Interference Inc. apologized "to the people of Boston and the authorities for this incredibly unfortunate incident."

The attorney general also said discussions had begun with attorneys for Berdovsky and Stevens about "a resolution to the criminal charges."

All the parties planned to meet again Monday, she said.

---

[Mastiker]

Critics have mocked Boston for overreacting.
I wonder why...

"If they were bombs, at that response rate, the city would have been screwed," said Norajean McCarthy, 24, a friend of both suspects.

Safety officials, however, have praised the response as evidence of the city's ability to respond quickly to a crisis.

"The coordinated response by all departments proves the system we have in place works," Mayor Thomas Menino said.

Hahahahahahahaha if the system they have in place works, they wouldn't have mistaken toys for a devastating weapon much less react to it weeks after it was up.

This just proves how glad I am that it takes a good two hours to drive to Boston from my house. Bomb threat = I'm safe. :innocent:

[Roxie]

This is just NOT getting old.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w83/Rokchik21/n508627999_21955_4489.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w83/Rokchik21/n508627999_21962_8405.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w83/Rokchik21/s508627999_21966_6113.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w83/Rokchik21/n2236470375_35698.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w83/Rokchik21/n508627999_21951_3229.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w83/Rokchik21/n508627999_21953_3779.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w83/Rokchik21/s508627999_21961_8186.jpg

[Digital Masta]

At the arraignment, Assistant Attorney General John Grossman focused on a device that had been placed on a highway support beam, saying police believed it might have been a bomb because it contained a cylinder wrapped in duct tape, a power source and a circuit board.

Apparently old Lite-Brights ran off magic.

[Roxie]

Apparently old Lite-Brights ran off magic.
And baby's dreams.

[Decade]

And orphan organs.

[Canis Lupis]

I honestly don't think Turner owes anything. It's Boston's own fault for over-reacting. Even after Turner called in and told them it was a marketing ploy, they continued to treat it as a bomb threat. Why, I don't know...maybe because the authorities are morons.
Either way, I think the entire situation is hilarious, and it's a shining example of just how high-strung people are in this country.

[Saitou Hajime]

I just watched the press conference those two guys had... wow, that's awesome. Seriously, I've never seen anything quite like that. People overreacted about the ad campaign, at least when it comes to the punishments. Sure, they had to be cautious about the devices themselves and make sure they weren't bombs, but calling them "hoax devices" is grasping for straws that never existed to begin with. They were for an ad campaign and that's it. The way these guys handled that conference is how people should have handled the situation to begin with, as a non-serious event. Don't send these people to prison for putting up CARTOON ADS.

[Decade]

I honestly don't think Turner owes anything. It's Boston's own fault for over-reacting. Even after Turner called in and told them it was a marketing ploy, they continued to treat it as a bomb threat. Why, I don't know...maybe because the authorities are morons.
Turner (rather his spokes rep) didn't tell the city of Boston until 5PM that day, making rush hour and the commute home everywhere out of Boston hell on earth.

While I DID hear this info was released earlier in the day (hell, I heard Yahoo news listed the info at NOON), Turner had the responsibility to tell Boston officials right away directly, not wait for them to find out by other means.

Therefore, he owes for the mistakes he made.

I just watched the press conference those two guys had... wow, that's awesome. Seriously, I've never seen anything quite like that. People overreacted about the ad campaign, at least when it comes to the punishments. Sure, they had to be cautious about the devices themselves and make sure they weren't bombs, but calling them "hoax devices" is grasping for straws that never existed to begin with. They were for an ad campaign and that's it. The way these guys handled that conference is how people should have handled the situation to begin with, as a non-serious event. Don't send these people to prison for putting up CARTOON ADS.


Those two are idiots. They had an entire city of overreacting people on the edge of their seats all day (for most of the day, most of the city didn't even SEE the devices) and when the news finally struck, I'd like to say most people in Boston showed some understanding and on polls most agreed Turner should be held accountable, not the two guys who hung the ads.

Then they acted like idiots at a press conference where they should have taken their lawyers and Turners advice and say NOTHING. Instead, they angered the same people they had terrified the day before and now their chances at getting some leverage in their case, even though the above article says it'll be difficult for prosecuters, just got a whole lot harder.

Its hard for a Jury to really choose in your favor when you've already pissed them off.

In all, I agree with what most people said on this thread. The city overreacted over ads that have already been up for TWO FUCKING WEEKS :bang:

But, unfortunately while this all could have ended differently, both Turner and the two guys who hung the ads decided to act like total fucking morons too.

I see no winners in this other than Osama, who somewhere in a cave is watching this with his hands in the air chanting "Dance puppets, Dance!"

[Roxie]

Turner (rather his spokes rep) didn't tell the city of Boston until 5PM that day, making rush hour and the commute home everywhere out of Boston hell on earth.
Turner didn't know. The advertising agency didn't inform Cartoon Network until about 2:30 and they released a statement apologizing around 4:30.

HOWEVER, the in press conference featuredin this video (http://youtube.com/watch?v=4G-D0F4Q9yk), the idea that it was a ad for ATHF was persented to...I think the mayor? and he dismissed it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_bomb_scare

Those two guys, who are essentially contractors hired by the ad agency to put up these lite-brites where allegedly told by the agency to keep quiet...also, their lawyer advised them to NOT talk about the case.

It will be extremly hard to prove this case b/c they must prove (AS STATED BY THE ARTICLE I POSTED ABOVE) that these two men (and turner) intended to cause panic

Actually, it [the press conference]IS hilarious.

They had been advise by counsel to not say anything about the case, so they did as far from it as possible. Not only did they not talk about it, they made a mockery of it because the system made a mockery of them. It was truly brilliant and powerful statement. They did no wrong, they are being scapegoated by a Mayor, a police force, and the media who now are the laughing stock of the country because their scare tactics backfired. They showed society how backwards they are by taking something we see as insignificant and ridiculous and talking very seriously about it as they feel the media and the local government have. What they said and how they acted is not what made it funny, it was the fact that they did it. They made a statement that sentenced one to prison time and the other deportation all in the name of justice. Brave, noble, and hilarious.


edit: of course now the advertising agency is saying they never tried to keep things under wraps and immediately notified Turner as soon as they could.

Here's the apology [as] ran on the night of 1-31
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM70Iu2IhIk

[Beowulf]

You'd think bomb squad guys would know the difference between "a battery and wires" and a bomb...

If this were really bombs Boston would be blown straight to hell due to the sheer incompetance of it's response forces.

[Decade]

Turner didn't know. The advertising agency didn't inform Cartoon Network until about 2:30 and they released a statement apologizing around 4:30.


It doesnt take two hours to send an email or make a phone call. Regardless they needed to find a way to release a good statement, more than a half hour shouldn't have been needed.

At the very least, he could have contacted officials immediately to tell them they're not bombs and that he'd release a statement about them shortly.

HOWEVER, the in press conference featuredin this video, the idea that it was a ad for ATHF was persented to...I think the mayor? and he dismissed it.
I saw that. An official asked Deval Patrick I believe "Sir, perhaps we should contact Turner." And he quickly shut him up.

Cant defend that at all, still though, Turner had the responsibility of informing the city immediately upon hearing.

You'd think bomb squad guys would know the difference between "a battery and wires" and a bomb...

$5 says the state tries to ban lite brite by the end of the month.

[hectorse]

this is rubbish

[Buckwheat]

I can understand why turner didn't respond quickly.

If they were telling people that several bomb like devices were found scattered around Boston it's not going to raise flags at turner because they weren't planting bombs. If they had said several strange electronic objects depicting a cartoon character have been found around boston, turner might have taken notice sooner.

but i'll bet this will still be filed under "prevented terrorist attacks" with homeland security.

[Daishikaze]

I agree with Mendo ;)

[Roxie]

I can understand why turner didn't respond quickly.

If they were telling people that several bomb like devices were found scattered around Boston it's not going to raise flags at turner because they weren't planting bombs. If they had said several strange electronic objects depicting a cartoon character have been found around boston, turner might have taken notice sooner.

True that.

[Digital Masta]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/02/06/2m_settlement_over_scare/?page=1

Settlement...Boston officials of course are still not admitting in anyway that they were idiots.

[Beowulf]

Boston officials of course are still not admitting in anyway that they were idiots.
Come on, it's Boston, they're practically the last city on earth that would admit they were idiots...

[Decade]

If they were telling people that several bomb like devices were found scattered around Boston it's not going to raise flags at turner because they weren't planting bombs. If they had said several strange electronic objects depicting a cartoon character have been found around boston, turner might have taken notice sooner.

but i'll bet this will still be filed under "prevented terrorist attacks" with homeland security.

Again, Turner was informed at a specific time. Turner did not respond immediately afterwards, they waited two hours.

Regardless of when they might have actually been informed, they had the responsibility of notifying officials IMMEDIATELY, even if it was a brief comment or statement. They could work on their press statement afterwards, the first concern is calming the public.

Come on, it's Boston, they're practically the last city on earth that would admit they were idiots..

Well, there is D.C.

[Digital Masta]

What I really don't like is how the city looked for a scapegoat the ENTIRE TIME. They never once ever said anything to even out the blame at all, they didn't speak about how the ads were around for a while before anyone noticed them I mean come on. Boston your not entirely the victim here.

[Decade]

What I really don't like is how the city looked for a scapegoat the ENTIRE TIME. They never once ever said anything to even out the blame at all, they didn't speak about how the ads were around for a while before anyone noticed them I mean come on. Boston your not entirely the victim here.

Actually, even one of the videos Roxie posted mentioned they DID speak about that (its the really funny one. Probably the best REAL report of what ACTUALLY happened).

You're right, they were looking for a scapegoat, but in all honestly I do feel they placed the blame on who deserved it more than who didnt.

Example: The two guys who actually hung it. They arrested them for a few hours, but they let them go and while they're going on trail, Turner is the one who ended up paying.

I agree, the two guys dont deserve to be convicted of anything, I seriously doubt they had the intent of causing panic (even though one of the guys SAW IN PERSON that cops were taking down one of the ads they placed and FILMED IT ON HIS CAMERA, but never said a word about what they really were. In other words, people still thought it was a bomb and while they knew about this, they didnt behave as good semaritans and provided police with the truth on hand. (this is all according to a CNN.com article posted yesterday or today, I'm trying to find the link right now).

Granted, they were probably worried about getting arrested (who wouldnt be in their position), but thats working against them in their case.

Turner already paid, I feel like this matter should be a case closed for now.

As for Boston's humiliation:

Flame away. Seriously, this fucking city's officials deserve it.

Know what's a bigger hit though? This is a very liberal, leftist, democratic state (regardless of issues like the gay marriage laws goin on right now).

Kinda takes red republican states out of the spotlight a little more, doesn't it?

Can we get some Kerry jokes in please?

PLEASE?

[Roxie]

how much do you love me?

Jack Bauer vs. ATHF Bomb Crisis!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWUaQVZHzyIv

[Roxie]

http://www.vh1.com/vspot/player.jhtml?type=524
Best Week Ever rips on Boston.

[Roxie]

Mooninites invade Beantown
A look at the numbers

Published 02.07.07
print email mail us del.icio.us digg newsvine reddit

"Aqua Teen Hunger Force" viewership in January:

1.56 million

Number of cities in which signs were placed for Cartoon Network's guerilla-marketing campaign:

10

Number of weeks since the first signs were placed:

3

Number of signs placed around Boston:

38

Number of other cities that called in bomb squads:

0

Number of hours before Boston authorities recognized the cartoon character:

7

Date in September 2001 referenced by Boston authorities to justify their reaction:

11

Turner's compensation to Boston:

$2 million

Highest reported bid for a Mooninite sign sold on eBay:

$2,025

Bail for the two men arrested for placing the signs:

$2,500

Amount paid to the two men for placing the signs:

$300

Years in prison the men could serve if found guilty of perpetrating a bomb scare:

5

Number of non-hair-related questions taken by the men in a post-arraignment press conference:

0

Sources: Boston Globe, Boston Herald, AJC

[Jetsetlemming]

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN0932451620070209
Cartoon Network head steps down.

Roxie, your Jack Bauer video link doesn't work. :(

[Decade]

What are you talking about? Im watching it now in all its glory :innocent:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWUaQVZHzyI

Bauer: "If you think for a SECOND that I am scared to put a bullet in your brain, then you don't know me."
Meatwad: "Then HIT me. THEN I'll believe you!"

:rofl:

On a side note, Bauer would have fucking torn them apart. literally.

[Jetsetlemming]

:| It won't work for me. It loads up the youtube front page and "The Url had an invalid video ID"
just tried it again, malformed video ID... tried it in both Firefox and IE. *Shrug* I'll just open up youtube normally and search...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWUaQVZHzyI
It works now. Wonder what it's problem was with Roxie's... ah well.

[andrewt]

http://www.bbspot.com/News/2007/03/boston-police-blow-up-suspicious-looking-man.html

[Decade]

^...I must be living in this city for too damn long when upon reading "Boston Police Blow Up Man" I immediately go around the office telling my buddies.

When upon actually saying it outloud I realize ":confused:...hey, waitta minute-"

...asshole :box:

[Myrsilus]

You can never be too careful," said O'Hara. "I'd rather blow up a hundred innocent people if I can prevent another 9/11.

That's just swell.

[Decade]

...it's fake.

I learned the hard (embarassing) way :box:

[Myrsilus]

Considering that this story doesn't exist anywhere else... yeah. Good jest, though.

[Saitou Hajime]

I thought they made it pretty obvious it was a joke, haha. I mean come on... They SNUCK UP ON THE GUY AND STUCK EXPLOSIVES TO HIM? XD XD XD

[Myrsilus]

Sounds like an Aqua Teen Hunger Force episode.

[Saitou Hajime]

Sounds like what I did in Metal Gear Solid. :X

[andrewt]

<nelson>: haaahaa </nelson> :bwitch: