Suncoast Pinellas News
TIA Passenger Had Box Cutter In Hollowed-Out Book
Photo provided by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority.
A security officer at Tampa International Airport found a box cutter hidden in a hollowed-out book on Sunday.
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Published: February 20, 2008
TAMPA - A 21-year-old Clearwater man was arrested at Tampa International Airport this weekend after security personnel found a box cutter in a hollowed-out book, authorities said.
Benjamin Baines Jr.
If convicted, Baines faces up to 10 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine for a federal charge of attempting to board an airplane with a concealed dangerous weapon. He is currently serving a 30 day
sentence after pleading guilty Monday to a state misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed weapon.
About 7:30 a.m. Sunday, airport security ran Benjamin Baines Jr.'s backpack through an X-ray machine and saw the image of a box cutter, according to a report from the Transportation Security Administration.
When searching the backpack, a security officer found a book titled "Fear Itself." The book was hollowed out, and the box cutter was inside.
After Baines was read his rights, he said his cousin had cut away the pages to make the hollow section in the book. Later, reports state, he said he had hollowed it out himself to hide money and marijuana from his roommates.
Baines told officers he was moving to Las Vegas and forgot the cutter was in the book.
Officers found books in the backpack titled "Muhammad in the Bible," "The Prophet's Prayer" and "The Noble Qur'an." He also had a copy of the Quran and the Bible.
Several sheets of paper in the backpack included rap lyrics that referred to police, narcotics, weapons and killing. Baines told officers he is a rapper who writes his own lyrics and that rap music writers need to "play the part," the report states.
Officers performed a background check and found no record of crimes or active warrants.
He was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and booked into Orient Road Jail. At his first appearance in court Monday, Baines pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, according to an employee with the Hillsborough County clerk of court. He remained in Orient Road Jail today.
The U.S. Attorney's Office also filed a federal charge of attempting to board an aircraft with a concealed dangerous weapon. The federal charge against Baines was filed Sunday but was not announced until today, said Steve Cole, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tampa.
Cole said Baines will be arrested by U.S. marshals upon his release from jail on the state charge.
Reporter Thomas W. Krause can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tkrause@tampatrib.com.
Reader Comments
Posted by ( bo1921 ) on February 21, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
"Baines told officers he is a rapper who writes his own lyrics and that rap music writers need to "play the part," the report states."
Well, he's playing the part now. Hope he likes the part.
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Posted by ( digidonny ) on February 21, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Give the poor guy a break! The box cutter most likely was used to cut the book and left there. Use common sense US marshals - no terrorist would be this stupid!
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Posted by ( dericwise ) on February 21, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
"Officers found books in the backpack titled "Muhammad in the Bible," "The Prophet's Prayer" and "The Noble Qur'an." He also had a copy of the Quran and the Bible." ......
But I'm sure the boxcutter was just an honest mistake. Right.
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Posted by ( lutsdelf ) on February 21, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
"use common sense US marshals - no terrorist would be this stupid!"
Hey digidonny, genus, they caught the first world trade center bomber back in the early 90s when he returned to the car rental office to get his deposit back on the truck that he had used as a bomb to try and blow up the trade center!!! Terrorists and posters can both be very stupid.
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Posted by ( rmattcross ) on February 21, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Atually, I think most terrorists ARE that stupid!
=======================
Give the poor guy a break! The box cutter most likely was used to cut the book and left there. Use common sense US marshals - no terrorist would be this stupid!
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Posted by ( mrush ) on February 21, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree. Give the poor guy a break. Like digidonny said - He's stupid. Besides, I do this to all my books, too. And I'm forever forgetting which book I left my boxcutters in. I have to go through all of my books to find my boxcutter. Allah forbid that I cut out the pages in a book, leave my box cutters in it, and then take it on an airplane to try to read it! Have you ever tried to read a hollowed out book? You only get about half of the story. Very upsetting! And then to have US Marshalls go all infidel on you just because you couldn't remember where you left your favorite boxcutters!
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Posted by ( jbrent ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Hope Mr. Baines enjoys "playing the part" of a gangster/terrorist in prison. If he really is dumb enough to try to smuggle this weapon aboard a commercial aircraft, he should be in a cage for the rest of his life.
John Brent
Sanford, FL
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Posted by ( rontoski ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Double trouble. The box cutter in the book and all the other material pertaining to the religion that provided cover and encouragement for the original killers who hit the twin towers. There is no excuse and he should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Praise the Lord for the alert people who scan the items at the airport. Keep up your good work.
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Posted by ( zap ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
digidonny is a complete idiot
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Posted by ( dcrum35 ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:12 a.m.
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Posted by ( rhythman ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:23 a.m.
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Posted by ( MaixmusDelta ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Apparently he wanted to get his 72 virgins. Well Iguess he messed that one up. At least he will be in prison with his brothers.
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Posted by ( Detfree23 ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
This guy is a complete moron! He deserves to go to jail for being so freaking STUPID. Next time perhaps he'll think. Until then, enjoy BIG BUBBA in the cell.
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Posted by ( DemsAreCommies ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
This jerk is an enemy of the USA. Off to Guantánamo for him. I'm sure we'll find out more about the muslum threat to the US by 'waterboarding' this traitor.
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Posted by ( dww0515 ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Hey, digidonny,you are an example of why abortion should always be a legal and easy to obtain service.
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Posted by ( gracefulconsonance ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Digidonny's reply is typical from those that do not take the perverted radical-jihadist-Islamic movement seriously.
I do think this poor soul was a useful idiot of that movement and its dogma; however, I would not be surprised if he does not have a firm and direct tie back to an "official" Al-Quiada cell. He could be part of a homegrown cell that buys into the radical and twisted rubbish.
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Posted by ( Tampabob1 ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:27 a.m.
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Posted by ( PuffDanny ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:32 a.m.
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Posted by ( boydboyd ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
"Give the poor guy a break! The box cutter most likely was used to cut the book and left there. Use common sense US marshals - no terrorist would be this stupid!"
A few people have commented about digidonny's idiocy. I agree. On top of that, you say he most likely left it there after cutting the space out of the book? I don't know about you, but if I cut a space out of a book to put something there, I'll usually put the item in there that I created the hole for. I'm sure you would too, digidonny. I'm sure Baines did as well. Hmm, in that case..
Baines hollows out a book to put something in it...
He puts in the hole the object he made the hole for...
It's a box cutter...
You there, Poopy Pants! Hand me my Thinking Cap!
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Posted by ( johncella1938 ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
great point, digidonny! I can't tell you how many times I've hollowed out dictionaries, cookbooks, even Bibles, and left my box cutters inside. Why, just this morning, I accidentally left an ice pick in the soles of my hollowed out boots. You know, sometimes stuff happens!
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Posted by ( Reader11722 ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:40 a.m.
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Posted by ( Roughneck31 ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Glad to see that the majority of the reactions are rational and well thought out. This man can make all the claims he wants about forgetting about the boxcutter, but the fact is, he packed the book in his backpack. He should have known from the heft of the book that it wasn't kosher. Not to mention, looking at the photo, the boxcutter had to have bounced around inside the book making some sort of noise.
I think it ironic that this genius claimed he hollowed out the book to hide his drugs from his roommates. A real upstanding and responsible citizen. Thank God he won't be around to vote in the next election.
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Posted by ( go4word ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
digidonny---
If you were ignorant enough to post something like that, why couldn't a terrorist be equally as brain dead?
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Posted by ( crimson123 ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I think it's pretty obvious that, coming from Florida, he was simply using a boxcutter to ensure that no hanging chads occurred during the Democratic primary. Now every vote will count ..... errr, uhhh, well, maybe not.
I'll suspend further comment on this issue until Barack Obama gives me hope and tells me how I should feel about it.
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Posted by ( mrush ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:52 a.m.
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Posted by ( PragueBob ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Mr. Benjamin Baines is a perfect candidate for rendition. Enema, diapers, jumpsuit, and off to Afghanistan for a little day-care. The resulting video of his stay in a deep dark hole should be shown to all his friends and family back in the hood, to let them know that this type of vermin should not even be permitted on airplanes, with or without box-cutters.
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Posted by ( ozymandias888 ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
OK, at a minimum, he needs to be sterilized.
In light of the current world situation, smuggling a box cutter onto a commercial aircraft is pretty boneheaded, but anybody stupid enough to join a death cult established by an illiterate, vindictive, murderous, pedophillic sand pirate shouldn't be reproducing.
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Posted by ( Carlos ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
72 Virgins? I don't think so. Where he is going He will be the virgin. Have fun box cutter boy.
And to Reader11722, GET BACK ON YOUR MEDS!!
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Posted by ( dericwise ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
reader11722: legally, 1) a factfinder in most states has discretion to disbelieve ANY non-expert testimony, whether or not the witness was impeached; 2) while you are correct that the government lies, government lies are absolutely irrelevant here, since, even granting your ridiculous premise of gov't involvement in the 911 attacks, the fact that box cutters were the perceived tools used that day is damning evidence of this idiot's intent.
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Posted by ( aaronsteinberg ) on February 21, 2008 at 10 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Just another case of Muslims making other Muslims look bad.
BTW, if you enlarge the picture, it says `Holy Bible`on the top.
Could it be that the airport authority has wrongfully given information, or did TBO have a typing errorÉ
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Posted by ( pspr ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Actually the literal translation is 72 White Grapes!
"Apparently he wanted to get his 72 virgins. Well Iguess he messed that one up. At least he will be in prison with his brothers"
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Posted by ( mrush ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Ok. Now we've got another candidate - Reader11722. This is becoming an epidemic! Thankfully, there is large body of scientific research on this growing scourge - the Subcranial Hollowed Out Head Syndrome - Shohs, for short (hey, it's symmetrical!).
Again, thankfully, this syndrome is not very contagious - most contact with carriers of this virus simply cause fits of laughter in those in the vicinity. However, if you find that you aren't laughing, you may have caught the Shohs bug!
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Posted by ( boydboyd ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Thankfully, mrush, I'm in histerics. There happens to be much laughter arising from my cube.
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Posted by ( love2flyual ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Everybody knows how difficult it is to open those snack bags on the airplane! I'm SURE he was just prepared to have a tool to get into those a little more easily! How clever to make a special cutout in that book to carry it....check his computer to see his Buddy list...if his hard drive is still in there!
Wake up, People!
I remember 9/11!
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Posted by ( northstar62 ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Wow, reader 11722 has been gulping the koolaid. The Govt. lied about Iraq?
It certainly appears that the information that some of those decisions were based on have turned out to be incorrect however I think that there was a consensus among intelligence agencies around the world that sadaam had WMD. Even his own generals believed he had WMD. I think that reader ought to be looking over his/her shoulder, cause 'Their coming to take him away ha, ha. To the funny farm....
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Posted by ( suncoastJimbo ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
To 11722:
Nice thread. Did you eat paint chips as a child?
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Posted by ( USAFSgt57 ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
"Give the poor guy a break! The box cutter most likely was used to cut the book and left there. Use common sense US marshals - no terrorist would be this stupid!" -digidonny/8:33a You couldn't be more naive and/or more of a fool. People can be and ARE "this stupid!" Give US a break. After almost 20 years in law enforcement, let me tell you, it gets even MUCH worse than this. How about YOU use some common sense, which it appears you sorely lack. Good day.
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Posted by ( crispinglover ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Good to see folks down here have a sense of humor (digidonny). I got your subtle use of irony. But then again, I read FARK. I think that was digidonny's attempt at irony, because wow, that Baines dude is stupider than a box of rocks.
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Posted by ( Taj ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
to aaronsteinberg
It is unlikely the photo is of the holy bible. One, the picture is too pixelated to clearly read the title when enlarged, and two, the text seems to be written in paragraph format, not chapter and verse. In addition, the glaring "2" is not a typical chapter divider in bibles. Sorry, no conspiracy likely.
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Posted by ( KyleCope ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Did you see this Hillary Clinton spoof yet?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGMgxFE6bms
Or search "Hillary Terminate" on You Tube. Hahahahaha!
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Posted by ( mrush ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
aaronsteinberg writes:
"Just another case of Muslims making other Muslims look bad."
Yah. Seems to be a lot of that going around. Good thing Muslims have apologists like yourself to keep the rest of us from forming opinions on the degenerate state of the Muslim world, though.
"BTW, if you enlarge the picture, it says `Holy Bible`on the top."
Ummm.. Been awhile since you cracked open your Bible, has it now? I've never seen one with chapter divisions like that. And I've never seen one that says "Fear Itself" on the top of the page, either. You might want to invest in a better monitor.
Conclusion:
aaronsteinberg - a third Shohs candidate!
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Posted by ( rs ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Is it any coincidence that 11722 has 72 right in the middle of his profile? Of course 911 it wasn't a conspiracy. Radical Islam would have you believe otherwise though.
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Posted by ( Daisytoo ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
"The box cutter most likely was used to cut the book and left there. "
Yeah, and Richard Reid, like so many other forgetful folks, simply forgot to take the incendiary device out of his sneaker before leaving the house for the airport.
As far as 'stupid' goes, I only hope the Feds aren't acting stupid as usual - where they declare acts of jihad as 'non-terror events' and that they instead actually land on this deviant and let him join his muhajadine brethren in Guantanamo (where Benjamin Baines would be best off ditching the Bible - the Religion of Peace members will NOT take kindly to the Bible).
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Posted by ( mrush ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
..paint chips. That's good :)
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Posted by ( JPP ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
All things considered, I believe that the safest place for this bozo to hide things in his apartment would be in a book. In fact, I wonder if he could even read the books he was carrying. Remember, a strong back is a terrible thing to waste!
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Posted by ( aaronsteinberg ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I have Bibles that come in paragraph form for an easier read.
MCCAIN 08
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Posted by ( Wisebeard1 ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Word on the street is that Benjamin Baines Jr. is a supporter of Barack Hussein Obama, go figure!
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Posted by ( OTH ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Let's not forget the TSA employee who stopped this creep! Putting this guy in the slammer probably saved somebody's life, maybe a lot of lives. I hope they post his/her name (the TSA employee) so I can give three cheers. Just think, this person has probably looked at 10,000 or more boring x-rays and didn't miss a beat when the real thing came along. I doubt I could do that. All that for about $12 bucks an hour? I think I finally got my tax dollar's worth.
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Posted by ( lornoborno ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
He's a Florida terrorist - that means he's an extra stupid terrorist.
I feel Tampa pride!
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Posted by ( dlpstudio ) on February 21, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
aaronsteinberg
You know you need to check what you say. I did enlarge the pic and it says "Fear Itself" on the top of the right page, not sure what is on the left.
I guess that makes you another Muslims making Muslim look bad.
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Posted by ( kevin6430 ) on February 21, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Why give a break? He plead GUILTY. He did not plead 'no contest' or 'not guilty by reason of insanity'. If you even make a joke about having a weapon as you go through security, you will be detained. There are no 'whoops' in airport security. He broke the law, and he pleaded GUILTY. End of story.
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Posted by ( SuzyQ ) on February 21, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
"Posted by ( aaronsteinberg ) on February 21, 2008 at 10 a.m. Just another case of Muslims making other Muslims look bad.
BTW, if you enlarge the picture, it says `Holy Bible`on the top.
Could it be that the airport authority has wrongfully given information, or did TBO have a typing errorÉ"
Of course the Bible was the book he cut up. There's no way he's going to harm his Noble Quoran!!
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Posted by ( tichael ) on February 21, 2008 at 11:11 a.m.
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Posted by ( damiante ) on February 21, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Most terrorists are quite stupid. That is if you consider blowing yourself or your children up, killing innocent people and expecting 72 virgins when you die doing so, etc. stupid.
This is probably a loner/loser trying to prove he can be a hardcore terrorist. Can you think of a more dangerous type of person???
Prosecute to the fullest extent that the law allows.
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Posted by ( SuzyQ ) on February 21, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
What's going on with Tampa lately.
Another strange case involving an explosion at a gas station:
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/1935
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Posted by ( danman1202 ) on February 21, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
mrush-
Hollowed out brain hollowed by a box cutter?
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Posted by ( aplacky ) on February 21, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Yo; Reader11722
Michael Moore just called, he wants his tin foil hat back.
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Posted by ( agnewjim ) on February 21, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Regarding Reader11722's advice to buy a book called "America Deceived"; well, I bought it just to see what it was, and it is a very poorly-written science fiction novel. The writer does not use the words "the" and "a" correctly, leaving them off most of the time, leading me to believe the author is a person of Slavic descent (they don't use those words in their language). The book is trash - do not waste your money on it. It is printed to order by a vanity press. I do admire his attempt to make a buck. As to the boy caught with a box-cutter, he admitted to hiding drugs, so if they couldn't get him for the box-cutter, they could have put him away for drug use. Most likely he had no plans to harm anyone, but you never know these days.
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Posted by ( texigator ) on February 21, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I would "accidentally" put him in prison and "accidentally" forget the key.
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Posted by ( doberd ) on February 21, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
The reading material he carries indicates he was on the way to or from an OBAMA rally.
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Posted by ( lornoborno ) on February 21, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Do the Muslims know that the 72 virgins are guys who talk incessantly about Star Wars?
(Good luck finding a female virgin.)
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Posted by ( Torquemada ) on February 21, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well, well, the TSA actually found a weapon. I feel safer now. Someone please inform the TSA that, since 9/11/01, the American people, beginning with the experience in a Pennsylvania field, will not tolerate box cutters or any other similar silliness from Muslims or any other fanatic that thinks airplanes are the place for political expressions of free speech. Such persons risk finding themselves enjoying the view firsthand at 35,000 feet. ONE idiot with a box cutter, significant or not, still doesn't justify the idiocy of the TSAs policies or the expense of taxpayers supporting the retirements of their employees.
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Posted by ( Fromtheright ) on February 21, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
When the terrorist was a kid his bus driver must have yelled at him. Ever since then this guy has probably had low self esteem causing society to marginalize him. How dare our TSA deny him his Allah given right to earn the heavenly rewards of martyrdom.
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Posted by ( eagibson ) on February 21, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Reader11722 - I bet you spend a great deal of time sitting around the house with a tin foil hat on your head don't you? It is frightening to me that people like you and your buddy digidonny can and likely actually will vote in November. We can't even take comfort anymore in the fact that you are too freakin' stupid to know how to work the voting machine because if the election doesn't turn out the way you want some ACLU lawyer will be standing there ready to sue based upon your belief that the company that manufactured the voting machine is also part of "the conspiracy"!! All I can say is, God help this country because it is getting to the point where he is the only one who can!
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Posted by ( Daveinrfdil ) on February 21, 2008 at noon ( Suggest removal )
Hmmm...young guy...expecting to meet 72 virgins. TSA...don't presume that bulge in his pants is a bomb.
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Posted by ( p3orion ) on February 21, 2008 at 12:01 p.m.
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Posted by ( aplacky ) on February 21, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Maybe he can pull the same stunt on his way into Pelican Bay Detention Facility.
Probably not, those guys are a little more strenuous than TSA.
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Posted by ( Bobb ) on February 21, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Guys who try this should be taken out over the ocean, about 800 miles and dropped out of an helicopter.
"Buh Bye"!!!
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Posted by ( frost ) on February 21, 2008 at 12:12 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Filth. Slime. And, if we "persons of pallor" even dare to look askance as most minority folk we're chastised?!? Give me a break! I'm totally and absolutely nauseated by creeps like this scum - - and some have questioned my reasoning for buying a weapon? It's like those who'd presume to carjack my car or holdup that neighborhood convenience store - - I'd shoot to kneecap first, but, if that doesn't work, I'd shatter the shoulder, got it?
Whew -- I detest these filthy "rappers."
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Posted by ( moronpolitics ) on February 21, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Give him a break! Cut him some slack! Of course, the same people that don't see anything suspicious about this think George W. Bush is planning to suspend civil rights, refuse to leave office and send gays to concentration camps. Now those condoms in your wife's purse are only there to tie her medications up in so they will be safe when the melting glaciers flood Oklahoma. Oh, and if this guy was white they would have handed the book back to him and let him on the plane...
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Posted by ( sambella ) on February 21, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Okay, maybe he did forget it was in there...I STILL don't want someone who has one on a plane with me! The authorities acted appropriately and I'm glad for it.
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Posted by ( jsanderssr ) on February 21, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Hey, give the poor guy a break and let him on the plane! Then, when it's high enough for him to think about it for a good while (like jumping 110 stories)the throw him out...
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Posted by ( truthsmarts ) on February 21, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
You people are idiots.
There was no proof that a box cutter was used on 9/11. Read the investigation report.
Commentators are rehashing fear mongering perpetuated by media outlets, and some even stealing comedy bits!
This is why the future of America is so bleak; because of Americans.
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Posted by ( jsanderssr ) on February 21, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Hey guys, how about truthsmarts? Should he wish to see an idiot, he need only look in a mirror, painful though that may be.
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Posted by ( jpdunlop ) on February 21, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Ben may indeed get his 72 virgins, and many more who are not virgins, while incarcerated. Be careful what you hope for!!
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Posted by ( UhHuh ) on February 21, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Rappers wear backpacks?
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Posted by ( harbqll ) on February 21, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
doberd :
"The reading material he carries indicates he was on the way to or from an OBAMA rally."
Actually, if he were on the way to an Obama rally, I'd expect his bag to be full of Marx & Engels. Or possibly a Che flag...
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Posted by ( RayGillen ) on February 21, 2008 at 12:54 p.m.
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Posted by ( bluedogs ) on February 21, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
oh now come on...It's easy to see he just wanted use the box cutters to wrap a gift for allah:....
....A plane full of dead Americans.
Just think, he was so close to success we should help him earn his virgins, give the guy a second chance. Why don't we stuff a plane with pedophiles and let the guy try it again!!!
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Posted by ( Big_Brayne ) on February 21, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
What I want to know is why he bothered to hollow out a book to conceal that box cutter. Apparently there's a surplus of space inside his head as he's clearly lacking a brain, so a box cutter along with a small circus could've easily been secreted within!!
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Posted by ( StoneyB ) on February 21, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Re: Post by ( Reader11722 ) on February 21, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. "Enough with the box-cutter threat. 9/11 did no happen because of box-cutters. It happened because of a military stand-down.
There's only one important question concerning the attacks, did the US gov't allow/participate in 9/11?" and all the rest.
Black helicopters! Black helicopters! Where's my tinfoil hat? sheesh
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Posted by ( takeoutlunch ) on February 21, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
HANG HIM OUT TO DRY! Make an example of him! His story is thin and he probably is a muslim terrorist wannabe....lock him up, he is done!!
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Posted by ( mrush ) on February 21, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
RayGillen, you *are* being funny, aren't you? Please tell me you are.
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Posted by ( UrDaddie ) on February 21, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
The large visible "2" in the photograph is in Section VI "Dead Man Whispering" page 132 of Jonathan Nasaw's "Fear Itself". I don't have a copy, is case you're wondering: Google Books is a wonderful thing.
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Posted by ( Detfree23 ) on February 21, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
If RayGillen is in favor of what he's saying, then I say we place him with the box cutter freak, alone on a plane, and have tea. Ray's taking up to much oxygen. Out to the sea you go...
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Posted by ( nychuck ) on February 21, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
How is it that in this country we allow the likes of america haters like "digidonny" and "Reader11722"?
Interment Camps should be erected and these type of un-americans should be put there - - indefinitely.
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Posted by ( NOYB223 ) on February 21, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Wow, finally some common sense (for the most part). For you apologists: 1. box cutter 2. concealed in a hollowed-out book 3. concealed in a carry-on bag 4. on an airplane 5. by a man who had Islamic items in his carry-on 6. in a post-911 America.
Mistake? Maybe. But what would you do, truthsmarts? Let him go? No, we have a process for this. If there's evidence that it's a dry run, he should go to Guantanamo for a few additional questions, perhaps with some enhanced interrogation techniques. If it's a mistake, he should be tried & all mitigating & exacerbating factors taken into account. Fair enough?
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Posted by ( sskh986 ) on February 21, 2008 at 1:34 p.m.
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Posted by ( wannabersc ) on February 21, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Terrorist might not be that dumb, but rappers sure are.
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Posted by ( Squarehead ) on February 21, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This idiot should spend a few years in that cesspool he is for fond of, that being the middle east. It amazes me that ANY black American would even consider Islam as a religion as THEY were the ones that caputured and sold blacks into slavery. Sure the Dutch did the business part,,which was bad enough,,,but the Muslims did the dirty part, and still are doing so.
The Muslims are STILL trading in slavery, mostly Christians and mostly Africans, and have NO quams about enslaving others. Congratulations African-Americans, you have glorified your own captures,,,can you say Nation of Islam, can you say Obama whoes so-called church (a mosq in hiding) awarded Louis Farahkan one of the worst haters in this country?
This Bains moron should be forced to see the REAL side of this putred society he worships.
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Posted by ( noncomplacent ) on February 21, 2008 at 1:43 p.m.
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Posted by ( Major_Mike ) on February 21, 2008 at 1:48 p.m.
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Posted by ( djc ) on February 21, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
When are you people going to realize that the real enemy is FLORIDA??? Think about it - what has been the most active anti-American terrorist training camp in the world? When are we going to wake up and do something about it? It's time to bomb Florida back to the Stone Age!!! Wait, Florida is already in the Stone Age. Cretaceous! Let's bomb Florida back to the Cretaceous! Only then will we be free of the terrorist menace and finally able to hold free and fair elections. Are you with me, Commenters???
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Posted by ( Big_Brayne ) on February 21, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Am always amazed and disgusted by religious fanatics who'll perform acts of mayhem in the name of their religion. What sort of religion would condone such things? Wouldn't common sense dictate that God (or whatever supreme being they may cater to) be predisposed to love rather than hate? Religion (directly and indirectly) has killed more people than most anything else.
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Posted by ( blahdeeblah ) on February 21, 2008 at 2 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree that this idiot was most likely doing a dry run, and is most likely no friend of the U.S. However, I find it quite ironic that those of you railing against him are most likely supporting one of the frontrunners for POTUS. I can't prove this guy's intent, but I can easily prove that Clinton, McCain and Obama are all anti-American, by merely shining light on their Senate voting records. Since the constitution is the instrument that gave birth to the U.S., you cannot claim to support the latter without supporting the former. There is no middle ground, support must be absolute. As Bush said, you're either for us or against us. If you support candidates who violate the constitution (and thereby violate America), you are against us.
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Posted by ( Big_Brayne ) on February 21, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Oh, before someone asks me what I believe in allow me to say that I think all religions are smoke and mirrors.
So to sum it up:
I believe in whoever invented smoke and mirrors!
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Posted by ( johnnym3 ) on February 21, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Everyone keeps bringing up the fact that he had all these books. The books in reference to the Quoran are the ones being mentioned. He did also have a copy of the Bible. Should we worry because of this??
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Posted by ( pynaetlb ) on February 21, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I find it distressing that the maximum penalty he faces is ten years. I would think 25 to 30 would be more realistic. Afterall, if he hadn't been caught he could have taken out hundreds of people.
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Posted by ( vasheir ) on February 21, 2008 at 2:47 p.m.
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Posted by ( Ruby ) on February 21, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
blahdeeblah said: As Bush said, you're either for us or against us. If you support candidates who violate the constitution (and thereby violate America), you are against us.
__________________________________
You have got to be kidding me; are you seriously quoting Bush? The man who (aside from having the lowest approval rating of any president EVER) is one of the worst offenders when it comes to flouting the constitution.
Furthermore, yours is the kind of unnuanced perspective that is killing our country.
Do your research.
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Posted by ( riley ) on February 21, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
OMG! What an idiot! Now he gets to go to prison and become someone else's VIRGIN! WTG!
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Posted by ( vasheir ) on February 21, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
In response to johnnym3:
The books and literature I do not think can truely (though probably will anyways) play an important role in determining the young mans intentions.
You will find many people carry such literature; I am a bible college student and such literature becomes required to read if we are to answer questions brought up by those to whom we minister to.
However, in accordance with his apparent life style, I cannot say that this was his intention, nor can I totally exclude it either.
Just a thought.
Jordon
apostolic05@gmail.com
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Posted by ( riley ) on February 21, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
WAIT Save a place on the prison bus for RUBY! Another Bush hater telling lies about him. Even though his rating is low, it is twice as high as congress'! Get a grip, thank Bush that you are safe and put morons like this behind bars
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Posted by ( t_turtle ) on February 21, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Anyone with two functioning synapses recognizes the danger here. Kudos to the baggage screener; give him/her a bonus. Now let the legal system take it's course and hope for justice. Now for the knuckle-heads:
Years from now, psychology majors will study Bush Derangement Syndrome and wonder what could have happened to a persons psyche, that would have such a detrimental effect on (the patients) self-preservation mechanism.
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Posted by ( Big_Brayne ) on February 21, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Hey! I just saved a ton of money on my car insurance!
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Posted by ( blahdeeblah ) on February 21, 2008 at 3:15 p.m.
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Posted by ( Ruby ) on February 21, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
blahdeeblah,
Thanks for the clarification. Though it may seem hard to believe due to the slight vitriol in my last comment, I would truly like to know who in public office you do believe is a supporter of the constitution. As you stated, violation has become the norm. I can't seem to think of any strong cases of constitution upholders, on either side of the aisle.
Thanks!
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Posted by ( blahdeeblah ) on February 21, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Ruby: Space does not allow for a thorough analysis of all public officials, but there are several non-partisan "watchdog" organizations that attempt to do just that. Suffice it to say that the next POTUS will not be on any of their awards lists. We the voters are to blame for this, because we don't demand excellence from our candidates. If you chose a member of Congress at random, printed out his/her record, and held it up next to a copy of the constitution, I wouldn't be surprised if they both burst into flames. Yet we reward these people with decades-long political careers. The electorate is ignorant and lazy, and nothing will change until they become educated and enthusiastic. But enthusiasm for empty rhetoric, as we see in the Obama campaign, is not enough. We need voters who understand the origins of the U.S. and the intent of the founders. Acceptable candidates will then logically follow. This election shows that we are still slipping in the opposite direction. Anyway, I'm rambling way off topic here. My original point was that people need to be careful throwing around the "un-American" barbs until they look more closely at who they're voting for. If a candidate can be easily demonstrated to have violated their oath of office on numerous occasions, what does that make them? And more importantly, what does it say about you who support and even reward such behavior, as long as it benefits you personally? The founding fathers are spinning in their graves when they should be resting in peace.
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Posted by ( vasheir ) on February 21, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Blahdeeblah, I agree.
But one thing we don't do as a people is truly fix it; we just talk about it needing to be fixed and continue on the downward spiral.
Is this not correct? I may be out of the loop on many things.
Jordon
apostolic05@gmail.com
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Posted by ( truthsmarts ) on February 21, 2008 at 4:17 p.m.
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Posted by ( blahdeeblah ) on February 21, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
vasheir: You are quite right. And one of the biggest contributors to the downward spiral is voting AGAINST candidates rather than FOR candidates. The only way I know to remedy this is to begin voting for the best candidate, no matter what their chances are. This requires steely resolve, and a willingness to accept defeat -- perhaps for your entire life. Most Americans are incapable of doing this. We love to win, and to cheer for the winning team. Personally, I've written in the names of various founding fathers more often than I've voted for candidates on ballots, but I do always vote. Sitting out an election is not acceptable, because it only gives the winner a higher percentage. I want to be counted among the electorate, but not among the supporters of bad candidates. I haven't chosen which founder to support in the upcoming general election. Perhaps I'll select a cartoon character this time, in keeping with the current pool of candidates.
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Posted by ( Big_Brayne ) on February 21, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Ron Paul makes a lot of noise about his supporting the Constitution, and making his decisions based upon it. Take that for what it's worth (or not).
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Posted by ( Proud2BAmerican ) on February 21, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Not only are Muslim terrorists "stupid" but they're "cowards" as well.
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Posted by ( digidonny ) on February 21, 2008 at 4:50 p.m.
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Posted by ( secularhumanist ) on February 21, 2008 at 5 p.m.
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Posted by ( RedSpun ) on February 21, 2008 at 5:04 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This man is playing the media. He is a rapper who needs attention & he just made himself an instant star. He knows he will only get a slap on the wrist since he has no prior record but he will be forever infamous. Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez of the group TLC made a documentary before her death & she alluded to the fact that she burned down her boyfriends house on purpose to promote her upcoming album & "play the part". Why else would he go the aiport with those kind of suspicious books. He was begging to be "caught" I don't believe he was testing the system, I believe he was trusting the system to work just as it did.
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Posted by ( youareallinsane ) on February 21, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
i just happened to find my way to this story and the subsequent comments section, and i've never been more compelled to register and post something as i am right now. i don't know if this is just a florida thing of it's indicative of where the country is headed, but 90% of the people who have commented here are absolutely disgusting human beings. first of all, let me state that yes the guy who did this is an absolute threat and an idiot and should be locked up to the full extent allowable by law. but seriously, TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELVES PEOPLE. look at what you've been saying! my faith in my fellow americans just took a nose dive into the gutter. i consider myself a true american conservative, and shame on the rest of you for claiming to be of the same ilk. there is NOTHING to indicate that this fool was anything more than a common street thug. the article plainly states he was not in any databases, he was not on a watchlist, he was just an idiot. but, oh no, he happened to have THE QURAN ON HIM!!!!!! OH NO!!!! he's got to be a terrorist, right?! i could say more but i'll stop because i'm actually starting to get disgusted with MYSELF for stepping into a cesspool to argue with its inhabitants. fare well and God bless. and my God have mercy on us...
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Posted by ( vasheir ) on February 21, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
In response to digidonny:
I am also a "born again, tongue talking, holy rolling" Evangelical (pentecostal) Christian.
Take this mans actions in accordance to Romans 13 and tell me he doesn't deserve some legal attention.
9/11 was in 01; this is 08, he should be well aware of what is and isn't allowed on the flight.
As well as being more concious of his luggage (specially given the life style he admits to having).
There ought not to be any exceptions because of the lives that are at stake.
To glaze over one makes it easier to glaze over more eventually leading to another 9/11.
If he is without ill intentions, then he should be able to prove this in the court, alleviating his sentence to the nth degree.
You reap what you sow.
Jordon
apostolic05@gmail.com
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Posted by ( marlin6 ) on February 21, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
While he was running down the list of excuses, I'm surprised he didn't include, "Those aren't my books, and these aren't my pants."
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Posted by ( roadapple ) on February 21, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Yeah, NO te