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Invaders from the moon
January 31, 2007 12:41 PM   RSS feed for this thread Subscribe

A hefty chunk of Boston was paralyzed today in reaction to the discovery of numerous devices consisting of circuit boards attached to girders. The ones that have been found have been disabled. The subway is crippled; numerous lines have been shut down and been replaced by emergency bus service as authorities root out the remaining instances of what could be bombs! Here is a photo one of these nefarious devices in action.
posted by mkb (338 comments total) 27 users marked this as a favorite

I'm just catching this now as I poke around boston.com's forums. I cannot believe Boston was paralyzed by Moononites today, I cannot wait to hear the press mangle this as badly as I'm sure they will. I've already heard it referred to as a college prank with Spongebob Squarepants lighting up to give people the finger.
posted by rollbiz at 12:45 PM on January 31, 2007


Girder? I only just met 'er!
posted by ORthey at 12:45 PM on January 31, 2007


Yes, that appears to be a Mooninite.
posted by mkb at 12:45 PM on January 31, 2007


They are reporting finding a sixth "device." There will be a press coference at 4:00 p.m. (in 14-minutes).
posted by ericb at 12:46 PM on January 31, 2007


Well, the bumps should be interesting for the next couple of weeks.
posted by mbd1mbd1 at 12:47 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


(Spongebob reference was on Channel 7 WHDH)
posted by rollbiz at 12:48 PM on January 31, 2007


Well, you can rest assured that whatever they accomplished it was done as hard as they could.
posted by prostyle at 12:48 PM on January 31, 2007 [2 favorites]


Err: Dude they're mooning us!
Ignignokt: Impossible, we are the Mooninites.
posted by JeremiahBritt at 12:49 PM on January 31, 2007


From rollbiz's link: Some of the markings on the devices found resemble a cartoon character.

I wonder if they mean that it looks like a cartoon character in general or like a specific character. No ATHF references so far...
posted by brundlefly at 12:49 PM on January 31, 2007


Uh-oh, someone got some 'splaining to do!
posted by ericb at 12:49 PM on January 31, 2007


THA MOON RULZ!
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 12:50 PM on January 31, 2007


Mooninites paralyze city? Advertising stunt gone too far? Hoax?
posted by ericb at 12:51 PM on January 31, 2007


WE'VE ENTERED A WHOLE NEW ERA!

of overreaction.

Oh God.

*head in hands*
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:52 PM on January 31, 2007


Hah, commercial graffiti is so damn annoying, hopefully the people responsible will have to pay a huge fine or something

(see if this had been true anarchist graffiti, no one would have known who was responsible!)
posted by delmoi at 12:52 PM on January 31, 2007


Did you hear what I said, Boston? Or shall I turn it up for you?
posted by Mach5 at 12:53 PM on January 31, 2007


Fuck guerrilla marketing.
posted by smackwich at 12:54 PM on January 31, 2007 [5 favorites]


I flipped past CNN a few minutes ago and saw this. The report by the news anchor was something along the lines of, "Six mysterious devices have paralyzed the Boston area today. The devices, which were not dangerous, have been destroyed." Then more footage.

Uh, thanks.
posted by The God Complex at 12:54 PM on January 31, 2007


Interesting none of the articles linked actually say it was a Mooninite.

The only Adult Swim ads we get in this market are the creepy smiley people billboard.
posted by birdherder at 12:55 PM on January 31, 2007


WE'VE ENTERED A WHOLE NEW ERA of overreaction.

Like taserTMing streakers in school cafeterias! Oh, noes, zap the bastard, he's scaring the kids!
posted by ericb at 12:55 PM on January 31, 2007


"You and your third dimension. It's cute, we have 5."
"...thousand!"
posted by owenkun at 12:56 PM on January 31, 2007


We have always been at war with Hasbro.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 12:56 PM on January 31, 2007


"It's a hoax — and it's not funny," Gov. Deval Patrick said.

I beg to differ, guvner.
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 12:56 PM on January 31, 2007


Word up smackwich.
posted by Mister_A at 12:57 PM on January 31, 2007


Channel 11 changed everything.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 12:58 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


Early polling shows that 57% of Americans believe that Saddam had an active role in training and deploying the Mooninites.

And coming up: anthropomorphic milkshakes. Threat or menace? FOX will tell you, after the break.
posted by cortex at 12:58 PM on January 31, 2007


Thus began the War on Humor!

*straps on Keystone Cop helmet and points at the horizon*

TO THE LAFF HOUSE.
posted by The Straightener at 12:59 PM on January 31, 2007


Anthropomorphic milkshakes have nothing on sentient (albeit mildly so) moving balls of meat and floating fries.

And seconding M.C. Lo-Carb!, I think it's hilarious. But then again, I don't have to take the bus nor do I live in Boston...
posted by owenkun at 1:00 PM on January 31, 2007


cortex: Scary. Did you hear that Frylock was made with oil containing trans-fats? How will we protect the children?
posted by Mach5 at 1:01 PM on January 31, 2007


I think we should round up all the sentient moving balls of meat and put them in camps.
posted by brundlefly at 1:02 PM on January 31, 2007


Did you hear that Frylock was made with oil containing trans-fats? How will we protect the children?

See, Bloomberg anticipated this.
posted by cortex at 1:03 PM on January 31, 2007


In related news, Philly will be under seige by a madman with a Foreigner belt sometimes next week.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 1:05 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


GUYZZZZZZZZZ! This could have been a BOMB in the SHAPE of a MOONINITE THINGAMAJIBBER SPONGEBOB TERROR!!!!!~!1`1~!~!!! THIS IS SERIOUSL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At least some people are keeping it all in perspective.
posted by solistrato at 1:05 PM on January 31, 2007


A city paralyzed because of ads for one of the stupidest fucking cartoons ever? What smackwich said.
posted by interrobang at 1:05 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


so this is or is not y2karl's work?
posted by nola at 1:07 PM on January 31, 2007


Doesn't AquaTeen Hunger Force endorse vigilantism? Violence unsanctioned by any governing body? Doesn't that sound a bit like Terrorism? No more talk! The USAF begins bombing the Cartoon Network headquarters in one hour!
posted by lekvar at 1:07 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


solistrato -- I love that first comment:
"This is what you get when you allow mass hordes of illegal, law-breaking aliens into our country. Just a matter of time before these rotten illegals do us all in. Way to go, Ted Kennedy, you fat load."

posted by ericb at 1:08 PM on January 31, 2007


Wait until that commenter finds out it was cartoon illegal aliens!
posted by ericb at 1:08 PM on January 31, 2007


What's funny is that they're still referring to this as a bomb hoax. If this is what it now appears to be, it's nothing of the sort. It's a viral advertising campaign gone terribly wrong. These weren't put up to look like bombs.

What's scary is that I know this, but it doesn't seem the media, authorities, or my elected officials do.

*This is of course assuming no Moononites explode/shoot acid/etc.*
posted by rollbiz at 1:09 PM on January 31, 2007


Anyone that gets WFXT should turn to it right now. A reporter is hilariously trying to describe the show and the characters...
"This cartoon called 'adultswim.com'..."
posted by evilcolonel at 1:10 PM on January 31, 2007


Actually, I think this vanderlin guy is in trouble.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 1:11 PM on January 31, 2007


My beef with this thing is that it sure looks like corporate-sponsored "guerrilla marketing" tripe. Cartoon Network is a part of Time-Warner, a little mom & pop international multimedia conglomerate. Issues of raving agency idiocy and police over-reaction aside, this will go down with Sony's bletcherous PSP graffiti debacle as one of the worst ideas in advertising of the early 21st century.
posted by Mister_A at 1:12 PM on January 31, 2007


"It's a hoax — and it's not funny," Gov. Deval Patrick said.

'Hoax Devices' Found At Several Boston Locations

Do the "hoax devices" raise your concerns about security in and around the city?

Hoax Devices Creating Gridlock In Boston

All of the devices appear to be hoaxes which resemble a cartoon character.


You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
posted by designbot at 1:12 PM on January 31, 2007 [7 favorites]


this changes everathin', again. this time, irony is not only not dead, but in fact the only possible reaction.
posted by signal at 1:12 PM on January 31, 2007


Best of Boston.
Best of the web.
Best of homeland security.

What color is the terror alert people?!?! Come on dammit, it's an important question!

OK, I liked the mummy show the best but the moonites are great. [ "Lobster!"]
posted by nofundy at 1:12 PM on January 31, 2007


Another viral marketing campaign bombs.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:12 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


They've found a 7th. "device" and are expecting to find more.
posted by ericb at 1:12 PM on January 31, 2007


What's funny is that they're still referring to this as a bomb hoax.

Yeah, did anyone call in a threat? Isn't that what a bomb hoax is? Then again, if you don't call it a "bomb hoax," it wouldn't scare people.

OPERATION MINDFUCK IN FULL EFFECT, WORD
posted by solistrato at 1:12 PM on January 31, 2007


The live press conference Folks are just standing at the podium laughing at how much money the
perpetrators will have to pay.
posted by Constant Reader at 1:13 PM on January 31, 2007


The moon is, oddly, more of a threat to our national security than Iraq ever was.
posted by Football Bat at 1:17 PM on January 31, 2007


I cant believe nobody in the MSM has connected this to Cartoon Network yet. Apparently MeFi is now the USA's first and best defense against terrorism.
posted by Tones at 1:17 PM on January 31, 2007 [4 favorites]


We should get a 50 billion dollar budget.
posted by Mister_A at 1:20 PM on January 31, 2007


So how come nobody flips out when bridges get festooned with "Welcome Home PFC Smith!" banners or "Go Wildcats" written in plastic cups?
posted by robocop is bleeding at 1:21 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


I'm in Atlanta and these have been showing up around town for a while now.
posted by Constant Reader at 1:22 PM on January 31, 2007


They've invaded Philly too! OHNOES!
posted by mkb at 1:22 PM on January 31, 2007


You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

No kidding.
posted by brundlefly at 1:22 PM on January 31, 2007


Two hilarious quotes from links in comments above:

She said officials determined it was not explosive, and was similar to the package found Wednesday morning beneath Interstate 93 at the Sullivan Square T station on the Orange Line. Mieth described the object at the T station as "a sophisticated electronic device."

Earlier Wednesday, the state police bomb squad was called and detonated the package in Sullivan Square just before 10 a.m. Officials said it contained an electronic circuit board with some components that were "consistent with an improvised explosive device," but they said it had no explosives. They determined that the device was not dangerous, but destroyed it as a precaution.

I think maybe some more training is in order.
posted by Roger Dodger at 1:23 PM on January 31, 2007 [2 favorites]


They're not bombs, a hoax, or viral marketing. They're LED graffiti. Which makes this... artcrime!
posted by steef at 1:23 PM on January 31, 2007


Sorry Tones, it's LiveJournal that wins that award.
posted by mkb at 1:23 PM on January 31, 2007


OMG the Fox coverage here is hilarious.

And Governor Patrick: This is funny.
posted by rollbiz at 1:24 PM on January 31, 2007


The artist's reaction.
posted by boo_radley at 1:28 PM on January 31, 2007


Look what I stole!
posted by ericb at 1:28 PM on January 31, 2007


CBS is now reporting that the devices "appear" to be from the cartoon ATHF.

So, this media we have; it cries wolf just to sell us things?
posted by DragonBoy at 1:28 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


We should get a 50 billion dollar budget.

I'm going to need a private mid-sized twin engined jet with crew, a open line of credit at Fry's, a quirky pale nerdgirl sidekick, one #10 bright-polished standard American paperclip and a martini.
posted by loquacious at 1:30 PM on January 31, 2007


What is the sound of one marketing executive getting fired?
posted by Saucy Intruder at 1:30 PM on January 31, 2007


This makes me happy beyond belief.
posted by solistrato at 1:34 PM on January 31, 2007


Dear Fox,

Balls ==> chin.

Love,

Moononites
posted by The Straightener at 1:35 PM on January 31, 2007


Turner Broadcasting has issued a press release 'fessing up for the "devices". They say they've been in place for weeks...
posted by rollbiz at 1:38 PM on January 31, 2007


fox boston, 1730 est: "we do not yet know what these things are ... weapon of mass distraction ..."
posted by psychoticreaction at 1:39 PM on January 31, 2007


I think it's hysterical that they blurred out the "middle finger" in the latest news report.
posted by O9scar at 1:40 PM on January 31, 2007 [3 favorites]


On the moon nerds get their pants pulled down and they are spanked with moon rocks.
posted by kosem at 1:40 PM on January 31, 2007


Yes, yes. Me too, loquacious. Also? my nerdgirl sidekick needs to have red hair. I called dibs.
posted by boo_radley at 1:41 PM on January 31, 2007


They must have been in place for weeks if you accept the dates on vanderlin's photos.
posted by mkb at 1:41 PM on January 31, 2007


Is this something I'd have to watch cartoons to understand?
posted by Terminal Verbosity at 1:41 PM on January 31, 2007


So glad I live out in the burbs and have a back-road commute.

What a bunch of fucking morons -- don't know which I'm actually referring to, the Boston Police or whoever thought this was a "funny stunt" in the first place.
posted by briank at 1:41 PM on January 31, 2007


link to the turner press release?
posted by subtle_squid at 1:41 PM on January 31, 2007


rollbiz I'm from Boston, but working at Turner in Atlanta...can you pint me to the press release or am I being wooshed?
posted by Constant Reader at 1:41 PM on January 31, 2007


CNN is reporting that Turner Broadcasting is soon to make a statement and apology for an advertising stunt gone wrong!
posted by ericb at 1:42 PM on January 31, 2007


OH NOES lighty up characters!

There are so many things I like about this story. I feel bad about people that had to deal with trains being shut down and other inconveniences...but I'm still laughing my ass off.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 1:42 PM on January 31, 2007


They say they've been in place for weeks...

...until they were magically transformed into TERROR WEAPONS by some paranoid cow and your media network.
posted by solistrato at 1:42 PM on January 31, 2007


All photos taged with "graffiti research lab" Right above Vanderlin's "hoaxes" you get nice Anti paid graffiti stuff.
posted by delmoi at 1:44 PM on January 31, 2007


Considering the overreaction to things like this and the DC sniper, it's shocking to think that if terrorists wanted to freak us out, that they couldn't easily succeed.

Hell, just pick up a blinking LED, some batteries, some resistors, and a few radio shack project boxes, and you're set to freak out an entire city.
posted by drezdn at 1:45 PM on January 31, 2007


boo_radley and loquacious, the requisition forms have been filed; but there is one snafu—there is only one nerdgirl with a working pair of cat-eye glasses in stock right now! Her hair has been dyed blue.
posted by Mister_A at 1:45 PM on January 31, 2007


If I were Martha Coakley right now, I'd be preparing an arrest warrant and extradition affidavit for the executive in charge of this. make it so, number one
posted by Saucy Intruder at 1:45 PM on January 31, 2007


Constant Reader, my bad. It's a statement, not a press release. I've tried and failed to locate a link, but this has been read and reported on multiple news stations here.
posted by rollbiz at 1:45 PM on January 31, 2007


Saucy: why should an executive be arrested because people are paranoid dumbasses? For proving the thesis?
posted by solistrato at 1:48 PM on January 31, 2007


The only thing this missing is some Blue Bonnet margarine. Crikey, I loves me some hyper-reactive chicken littles.
posted by Fezboy! at 1:48 PM on January 31, 2007


drezdn: "Considering the overreaction to things like this and the DC sniper"

One of these things is not like the other.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:49 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


We forgot all about your needs, we were... too busy fulfilling our own.
posted by Divine_Wino at 1:49 PM on January 31, 2007


WCVB/Boston is reporting that guerilla marketing firm Interference Inc. was behind the viral ad program for Cartoon Network.
posted by ericb at 1:50 PM on January 31, 2007


So bizarre. I'm sitting at my desk being inundated with emails from those here who know I'm from Boston. I haven't heard anything on my end.
posted by Constant Reader at 1:50 PM on January 31, 2007


boston.com is now reporting a statement from Turner.
posted by Constant Reader at 1:51 PM on January 31, 2007


I was mooned once in New York. True story.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:52 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


Yeah the police were extremely stupid here, they ought to re-write their rules if there's a good chance that whatever they think might be a bomb actually is.

If terrorists had any brains, and if they actually existed in any quantity in the US, they'd be using this insane over reaction against us by pulling "hoaxes" all the time. I mean if a few circuit boards can shut down a whole town for a day, who needs real bombs?
posted by delmoi at 1:54 PM on January 31, 2007 [2 favorites]


boston.com is now reporting a statement from Turner

As is WCVB/Boston -- they read it over-the-air.
posted by ericb at 1:54 PM on January 31, 2007


So bizarre. I'm sitting at my desk being inundated with emails from those here who know I'm from Boston. I haven't heard anything on my end.

It's all being handled really strangely, the statement was issued in time for reporters at the press conference to be aware of it, but neither Mayor Mumbles nor the police commissioner would comment on it. They do say that they're closing on an individual, so Vanderlin look out, perhaps?
posted by rollbiz at 1:54 PM on January 31, 2007


from the Turner statement:
They have been in place for two to three weeks in Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland, Austin, San Francisco, and Philadelphia.

So, in other words, if they actually had been planted by terrorists with nefarious intent, we'd be screwed.

Heartening.
posted by oaf at 1:55 PM on January 31, 2007


goodnewsfortheinsane writes "Actually, I think this vanderlin guy is in trouble."

It looks like he just found one of them and swiped it. Based on the date on that photo, it looks like they've been there for at least a couple of weeks.
posted by mr_roboto at 1:55 PM on January 31, 2007


I want to do the same thing, but with light up signs that say: "There is no danger... but that which you create."
posted by Eideteker at 1:55 PM on January 31, 2007 [2 favorites]


We regret that they were mistakenly thought to pose any danger.

I appreciate the wording.
posted by solistrato at 1:55 PM on January 31, 2007


Fuck viral marketing and that goddamned stupid tv show, Aqua Teen Hunger Lame.
posted by koeselitz at 1:57 PM on January 31, 2007


No one can defeat the quad laser.
posted by ninjew at 1:58 PM on January 31, 2007


Yikes -- we do live in a world of paranoia -- post 9/11.

Looks like Turner Broadcasting/Cartoon Network and others need to let authorities know about any similar campaigns -- and to get permission -- which, likely, will be denied.

Also, it looks like Turner has seen their marketing budget go through the roof -- with fines, costs for the emergency response, etc.
posted by ericb at 1:58 PM on January 31, 2007


The Flickr user behind this is not Vanderlin but Jackpot321. Looks like he's covering his tracks already, he's already removed an icriminating video from his Youtube page.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 1:59 PM on January 31, 2007


It's the hot sauce for Interference Inc.!
posted by Mister_A at 1:59 PM on January 31, 2007


WCVB/Boston is reporting that guerilla marketing firm Interference Inc. was behind the viral ad program for Cartoon Network.

From their website:

Mission: to create the best Gurrilla and Alternative Marketing company in the world

What kind of "alternative" wankers would have a "Mission" statement like that?

We will bring our unique creative and targeting methodology to clients willing to make a difference in their consumer's lives. We want those companies who are looking for communications that will make them stand out from the clutter for their consumers as opposed to those who want to be safe see where the wind takes them

It almost reads like a parody of "biz speak" except even less grammatical.
posted by delmoi at 2:00 PM on January 31, 2007


I am sorely disappointed this is just some crappy viral marketing campaign. Why must they use their powers for evil, instead of good?
posted by solistrato at 2:00 PM on January 31, 2007


So, it looked like a cartoon character, its a lighted display a few inchs thick and clear.

YUP ITS A BOMB. Fucking excuses for a waste of money called homeland security. They need some excuse to make themselves important, to cover the cost of the tazers and tanks.
posted by IronWolve at 2:02 PM on January 31, 2007


You know that the punishment for this must appear to match the over-reaction. I would not want to be in the shoes of those involved right now.
posted by rollbiz at 2:02 PM on January 31, 2007


So were any laws broken here other than maybe littering?
posted by mr_roboto at 2:03 PM on January 31, 2007


clutter...target...unique...method...

Wow these motherfuckers really are "outside the box", aren't they?
posted by Mister_A at 2:03 PM on January 31, 2007


I think my feelings about the level of overreaction to this can best be summed up by the phrase "Mind That Parcel!
posted by Joey Michaels at 2:04 PM on January 31, 2007


So their idea of "alternative" is simply projecting normal TV advertizements on walls and shit?

Companies that market this way should have to pay big fines.
posted by delmoi at 2:04 PM on January 31, 2007


So were any laws broken here other than maybe littering?
If they are able to show that they were placed to cause "distress or anxiety" than absolutely.

WHDH 7 is showing pictures from a website run by a BU graduate, with pictures from some of the locations where these were found.
posted by rollbiz at 2:06 PM on January 31, 2007


With all the distraction this afternoon would have been the perfect time to have busted into the Federal Reserve building at South Station and looted the safes!
posted by ericb at 2:06 PM on January 31, 2007


why should an executive be arrested because people are paranoid dumbasses

By people you mean the federal and state governments? Exactly.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 2:07 PM on January 31, 2007


This makes me smile.
posted by ColdChef at 2:07 PM on January 31, 2007


rollbiz writes "If they are able to show that they were placed to cause 'distress or anxiety' than absolutely."

How could they show that? They were obviously placed to advertise. I mean, the intent here is crystal clear.
posted by mr_roboto at 2:07 PM on January 31, 2007


I'm sure Williams Street is thrilled right now.
posted by brundlefly at 2:08 PM on January 31, 2007


AQTH is a red herring; clearly this is all ploy to promote Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law.
posted by Dr. Zira at 2:09 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


I am sorely disappointed this is just some crappy viral marketing campaign.

At least it wasn't for a ski resort in Taos.
posted by Terminal Verbosity at 2:09 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


Oh my...on the 5:00 local Boston news right now they are interviewig a woman from New England Comics (Harvard Ave., Allston) who said that the Boston Police sent a group to their store because they saw a similar "device" in the storefront window and interviewed them as to why they had the device. They explained to the police that it was a promotional device for the upcoming release of an animated movie.
posted by ericb at 2:10 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


All Turner employees just got a company missive not to talk to the media.

*snicker*

Everyone who's not a Senior Muckety Muck here is laughing their balls off.
posted by BobFrapples at 2:10 PM on January 31, 2007


I mean, the intent here is crystal clear.

Your honor, the prosecution will show that the defendant clearly intended to cause in Bostonians both distress that they were not able to watch Aqua Teen Hunger Force at the time that they viewed the offending signage, and anxiousness over the time and effort required to reach a state in which they would be able to commence viewing Aqua Teen Hunger Force.
posted by cortex at 2:11 PM on January 31, 2007


Looks like the Interference website has gone down ... but you go to their Index of/ page.
posted by ericb at 2:12 PM on January 31, 2007


How could they show that? They were obviously placed to advertise. I mean, the intent here is crystal clear.

I didn't say they could, but if they tried and succeeded there would be a very harsh punishment for this.

To play devil's advocate...What is guerilla advertising designed to do if not put people off guard by startling or shocking them? How different is this from causing distress or anxiety?
posted by rollbiz at 2:12 PM on January 31, 2007


AQTH is a red herring;

Aqua Queen Thunder Horse?
posted by cortex at 2:12 PM on January 31, 2007


So were any laws broken here other than maybe littering?

Here's the section of Massachusetts law in question.

Section 102A1/2. (a) Whoever possesses, transports, uses or places or causes another to knowingly or unknowingly possess, transport, use or place any hoax device or hoax substance with the intent to cause anxiety, unrest, fear or personal discomfort to any person or group of persons shall be punished by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than two and one-half years or by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than five years or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(b) For the purposes of this section, the term “hoax device” shall mean any device that would cause a person reasonably to believe that such device is an infernal machine. For the purposes of this section, the term “infernal machine” shall mean any device for endangering life or doing unusual damage to property, or both, by fire or explosion, whether or not contrived to ignite or explode automatically. For the purposes of this section, the words “hoax substance” shall mean any substance that would cause a person reasonably to believe that such substance is a harmful chemical or biological agent, a poison, a harmful radioactive substance or any other substance for causing serious bodily injury, endangering life or doing unusual damage to property, or both.

posted by designbot at 2:13 PM on January 31, 2007


One of these things is not like the other.

Sorry, it's raining, I didn't intend to mean that they were similar, just that if terrorists wanted to strike fear into Americans, random sniping like DC, or "bomb hoaxes" like this would be the way to do it.

Hell, once before 9-11, someone taped test tubes to light poles in my hometown and everyone freaked out.
posted by drezdn at 2:14 PM on January 31, 2007


Aqua Queen Thunder Horse?

Now that I'd watch.
posted by Terminal Verbosity at 2:14 PM on January 31, 2007


This is by far the funniest thing to happen in Boston since the great molasses flood.
posted by paxton at 2:16 PM on January 31, 2007


Roger Dodger quotes "Earlier Wednesday, the state police bomb squad was called and detonated the package in Sullivan Square just before 10 a.m. Officials said it contained an electronic circuit board with some components that were 'consistent with an improvised explosive device,' but they said it had no explosives. They determined that the device was not dangerous, but destroyed it as a precaution."

You know, what scares me about this statement is that if one of those things contains components that are "consistent with an improvised explosive device", then I'm carrying two objects in my pockets right now that are "consistent with an improvised explosive device" and I have another three sitting on my desk. Is everyone with a cellphone a terror suspect?
posted by mr_roboto at 2:16 PM on January 31, 2007


" with the intent to cause anxiety, unrest, fear or personal discomfort "

I've never watched ATHF so someone else will have to let us know if it does any of that.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 2:17 PM on January 31, 2007


Fuck guerrilla marketing.

Okay, admittedly I'm an ATHF fanatic and I would love to be working down at Turner. I've applied to work there a few times.

That disclaimer provided, Why so angry at this in namesake only? Compared to other corporate-funded stunts, this seems tame in comparison. They didn't pretend to do anything. They didn't hire people to make fake blogs, leave bogus comments, stamp corporate logos on natural resources or public facilities or anything like that. They're certainly not the ones freaking out on Fox News all afternoon claiming they "look like IEDs" (Because, you know, anyone from Fox News has ever been in a situation where they would know what a terrorist's weapons look like, cough cough.)

They dropped some light-up Ignignots iin a few places. I don't see how this makes Time Warner of calling a bomb threat in anywhere. They hired a "guerilla marketing firm" that's got loads of annoying corporate-jargon on their site, but I'm not really getting where subversive deception came in. They look like little space invaders flipping you off. If you didn't know what ATHF was, the reaction should be "why's that Space Invader thingie flipping me off?" If you "reasonably believe that such substance is a harmful chemical or biological agent" then I'm sorry, you watch too much daytime news and not enough Adult Swim.

I'm not going to change my opinion of the ridiculous overreacting that I had for the kids who put up Super Mario Bros. boxes this time around just because ATHF is owned by a big company. If wishing a light-up Mooninite was outside my house in D.C. is "selling out" then tell me where to sign because as a fan of ATHF I think it'd be awesome.

Now, back to the FreeRepublic thread explaining how this is a textbook case of a terrorist dry run. Because that is honestly the only thing that will make me laugh harder about this than I already am now.

Considering the overreaction to things like this and the DC sniper, it's shocking to think that if terrorists wanted to freak us out, that they couldn't easily succeed.

Self-link: Five bucks says you can't get them to ban Dr. Seuss hats!

posted by XQUZYPHYR at 2:17 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


designbot, good luck proving intent to cause anxiety, unrest, fear, or personal discomfort to any person or group of persons.
posted by oaf at 2:19 PM on January 31, 2007


infernal machine would be a great band name. I'd be careful about putting up flyers for your gigs in Boston, though.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 2:19 PM on January 31, 2007


drezdn: No problem - I had a feeling you didn't really meant to equate them.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 2:22 PM on January 31, 2007


This is by far the funniest thing to happen in Boston since the great molasses flood.

Tell that to the 21 who died and the 150 who were injured and the 133 man-months it took to clean up the molasses mess.
posted by ericb at 2:23 PM on January 31, 2007


And the other thing... Has the Official Term for "explosive device" now become "improvised explosive device"? Has this piece of military terminology successfully invaded my beloved English language? What's the technical difference, if any, between an "improvised explosive device" and an "explosive device"? Are both types of explosive devices also infernal devices?
posted by mr_roboto at 2:23 PM on January 31, 2007


And the other thing... Has the Official Term for "explosive device" now become "improvised explosive device"? Has this piece of military terminology successfully invaded my beloved English language? What's the technical difference, if any, between an "improvised explosive device" and an "explosive device"? Are both types of explosive devices also infernal devices?

As an improviser, I can tell you definitively that explosive devices are really funny.
posted by BobFrapples at 2:26 PM on January 31, 2007


“hoax device” shall mean any device that would cause a person reasonably to believe that such device is an infernal machine

What reasonable person would think an LED cartoon character is a bomb?

Never mind, don't answer that.
posted by TechnoLustLuddite at 2:27 PM on January 31, 2007


I'm going to need a private mid-sized twin engined jet with crew, a open line of credit at Fry's, a quirky pale nerdgirl sidekick, one #10 bright-polished standard American paperclip and a martini.

Oh, c'mon. You need a decent soldering iron and a Digikey catalog, though the martini and nerd girl sidekick wouldn't hurt.

Actually, the nerd girl wouldn't need us, and already has the soldering iron. Probably has the martini as well.

Never mind.

(City Shuts Down for an LED blinkie!)
posted by eriko at 2:29 PM on January 31, 2007 [2 favorites]


mr_roboto: An "improvised explosive device" is any explosive device designed by engineers who were not in the employ of a major defense corporation, without the benefit of a multibillion dollar budget.

Gotta justify the high cost of defense projects somehow.
posted by contraption at 2:29 PM on January 31, 2007


mr_roboto writes "Has the Official Term for 'explosive device' now become 'improvised explosive device'? "

Yeah, I don't get that either. Aren't IEDs crudely made and incorporate old munitions, etc.? When I think "IED," I don't think covered in blinky lights.
posted by brundlefly at 2:32 PM on January 31, 2007


Everyone! Bow your heads and pretend to be serious.
posted by XQUZYPHYR at 2:34 PM on January 31, 2007


" with the intent to cause anxiety, unrest, fear or personal discomfort "

I've never watched ATHF so someone else will have to let us know if it does any of that.


Speaking as a regular viewer, absolutely. These signs, not so much.
posted by designbot at 2:36 PM on January 31, 2007


Tell that to the 21 who died and the 150 who were injured and the 133 man-months it took to clean up the molasses mess.

Too soon?
posted by subtle_squid at 2:40 PM on January 31, 2007 [6 favorites]


An angry Mayor Thomas Menino said a stiff penalty will be pursued against whoever was responsible for the devices."

So ... what laws, if any, were broken?
posted by kaemaril at 2:42 PM on January 31, 2007


I say whoever reported this as a possible bomb threat should pay for all costs incurred from shutting down the city for a day. Everyone knows that if the cartoon character on the bomb is giving you the finger you're as good as dead already. Up until the moment of detonation, the cartoon character will dance and coo and entice you to come closer. Jeez.
posted by effwerd at 2:42 PM on January 31, 2007


Apparently very few people in Boston a) watch ATHF, and b) have anything approaching a sense of humor anymore.

What next? Toynbee tiles are potentially terrorist instructions?
posted by Thorzdad at 2:42 PM on January 31, 2007


Tell that to the 21 who died and the 150 who were injured and the 133 man-months it took to clean up the molasses mess.

I can't. They're dead now. But they didn’t die in vain; just being able to say molasses flood makes it all worth it for future generations.

This on the other hand makes our state and in particular your city, look real silly. A different kind of funny, but funny none the less.
posted by paxton at 2:48 PM on January 31, 2007


How long until some MIT Building Hackers get "THE MOON RULEZ #1" up on the State House?
posted by robocop is bleeding at 2:49 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


All day at work here in downtown Boston I've been interrupted by people shrieking or speaking ominously, sotto voce, about "mysterious devices" and "contraptions" that have appeared all over the city.

"They're not exactly bombs. Not traditional bombs anyway."
"The bomb experts don't know what they are!"
"Information is scarce. Just be safe."

I'm not shitting you. I had to come here to learn that they were Mooninites! I'm too stunned to speak.

Also, love the line in the Yahoo article: "The Department of
Homeland Security said there are no credible reports of other devices being found elsewhere in the country." It took me about fourteen seconds to find hundreds of photos and reports of these ads in many other cities in the US. WHY are Homeland Security "officials" so fucking stupid?! Why? Why?! Why?!!
posted by inoculatedcities at 2:56 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


You know what I've just realized -- any terrorist can build a bomb, enclose it in plastic, put a logo on it, and no one will pay any attention to it until it goes off.
posted by o2b at 2:59 PM on January 31, 2007


BobFrapples - send me an e-mail (contact info in profile); I don't see yours and I'd like to ask you something unrelated to the FPP... thanks!
posted by XQUZYPHYR at 3:01 PM on January 31, 2007


Associated Press:
"The first device was found at a subway and bus station underneath Interstate 93, forcing the shutdown of the station and the highway.

Later, police said four calls, all around 1 p.m., reported devices at the Boston University Bridge and the Longfellow Bridge, both of which span the Charles River, at a Boston street corner and at the Tufts-New England Medical Center."
If this is accurate, why the four calls coordinated around 1:00 p.m. Who made them?

Another question: at what time did Turner and/or Interference, Inc. realize it was their marketing devices which were the center of the brouhaha? And, did they proactively contact law enforcement?
posted by ericb at 3:04 PM on January 31, 2007


You know what I've just realized -- any terrorist can build a bomb, enclose it in plastic, put a logo on it, and no one will pay any attention to it until it goes off.

Well, one could disguise a bomb in any number of ways, I suppose. Taking advantage of the landscape and all.
posted by solistrato at 3:08 PM on January 31, 2007


rollbiz: You know that the punishment for this must appear to match the over-reaction. I would not want to be in the shoes of those involved right now.
Those in the Seattle area may recall the case of Jason Sprinkle back in 1996, who left as an art project/protest a parked pickup truck with an oversized metal sculpted heart in the back that was the "Heart of Seattle" (partly in response to the converting of a pedestrian walk area in Westlake Park to a through street at the behest of the Nordstrom's department store). Some dipshit cops thought a small piece of graffiti on the truck that said "Timberlake Carpentry Rules (the Bomb)!" meant this was another Oklahoma City: they overreacted and basically shut down the city for several hours.

However, as is always the case with shitheads in the government, they then blamed Sprinkle for their overreaction, and tried to prosecute him as if he did commit a terrorist act, holding him in jail for more than a month and acting as if they'd gotten the next Timothy McVeigh. Of course, they only did this because the alternative was to admit they royally fucked up, but who wants to take any responsibility for their actions?
designbot:
Section 102A1/2. (b) For the purposes of this section, the term “hoax device” shall mean any device that would cause a person reasonably to believe that such device is an infernal machine. (...)
So- really, a reasonable person would believe a LiteBrite is an "infernal machine"? Unless the jury is made of 12 homeland security fucktards employees, I fail to see how that standard can be met. :)
It's Raining Florence Henderson: Infernal machine would be a great band name.
It is a musician's name, actually!
ericb: Another question: at what time did Turner and/or Interference, Inc. realize it was their marketing devices which were the center of the brouhaha? And, did they proactively contact law enforcement?
Not sure exactly when they realized, but if you've read the posted information already, you know that these have been up in multiple different cities. For weeks.
posted by hincandenza at 3:13 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


Somehow, these animated lights on a bridge didn't cause nearly as much of an emergency outcry in Boston.
posted by deanc at 3:15 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


er, and I meant to finish that last paragraph by suggesting that multiple-cities/up for weeks shows this wasn't just done today, so why would they coordinate with the police? It is akin to "coordinating" with the police when you want to post a flyer on a lamp post for your band's upcoming gig. How could they know that the police would overreact, and therefore think to 'coordinate'? That's like the police busting down the doors of the wrong house under an errant drug tip, arresting or shooting the innocent people inside, and then asking "Why didn't the residents of the house coordinate with the police that they were living there and not breaking any laws?".

I am curious if in all the ensuing brouhaha, any actual laws will be mentioned, or just general fuzzy concepts like "terroristic threats", as the city tries to make itself look good (impossible) as Seattle did with Sprinkle.
posted by hincandenza at 3:17 PM on January 31, 2007


If this is accurate, why the four calls coordinated around 1:00 p.m. Who made them?

All the news articles are all being updated with paragraphs like:
"Aqua Teen Hunger Force" is a cartoon with a cultish following that airs as part of the Adult Swim late-night block of programs for adults on the Cartoon Network. A feature length film based on the show is slated for release March 23.The cartoon also includes two trouble-making, 1980s-graphic-like characters called "mooninites," named Ignignokt and Err — who were pictured on the suspicious devices. They are known for making the obscene hand gesture depicted on the devices.
Considering that the website for Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters just went live yesterday, I'd say that Williams Street is more than getting their money's worth from Interference Inc. Follow the money, my friend.
posted by designbot at 3:18 PM on January 31, 2007


but if you've read the posted information already, you know that these have been up in multiple different cities. For weeks.

It's clear from chatter on the Boston.com boards, etc. that many 'civilians' knew very early today that these were cartoon LED devices. I've heard that these folks called the television stations, newspapers and even police to say so. I now suspect that it was animation fans who called up the police and said "Dudes, WTF, these marketing things have been up-and-around the city for weeks. Check 'em out at x, y and z." Why then the need to "secure the city" and shut-down so many thoroughfares, after they knew what and where most of the remaining 'devices' were.
posted by ericb at 3:25 PM on January 31, 2007


Note to self, the best way to hide a bomb is to light it up brightly with cartoon characters.
posted by Eideteker at 3:26 PM on January 31, 2007


I dunno. My money was on Tommy Lee Jones.

god am I nerd for that reference.
posted by ninjew at 3:39 PM on January 31, 2007


They are known for making the obscene hand gesture depicted on the devices.

Awesome. They can't even bring themselves to reference "the finger."
posted by ColdChef at 3:43 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


I'm usually one who snorts anytime some jackanape trumpets "the power of the int3rw3bzzz over the MSM", but in this case, it's exactly right.
posted by solistrato at 3:48 PM on January 31, 2007


That is sofa king we todd ed.
posted by supercrayon at 3:48 PM on January 31, 2007


There's going to be a movie?! Awesome!

I hope they can keep it under 70 minutes; I'm not sure how much ATHF I can take at once.
posted by mr_roboto at 3:51 PM on January 31, 2007


See this is the level of surreality I expected from Idiocracy.
posted by Skorgu at 3:54 PM on January 31, 2007


MSNBC video: Strange Day in Boston.
"The only bomb here is the potential movie."

posted by ericb at 3:54 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


This is by far the clearest sign of the apocalypse I have ever seen.
posted by phylum sinter at 3:56 PM on January 31, 2007


You can have one yourself.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 4:11 PM on January 31, 2007


I want to donate to the Adult Swim Legal Defense Fund and I've never watched it! Thank you Adult Swim for demonstrating the stupidity and over reaction by our custodians of the public good. By the way, where's FEMA and Jessie Jackson when we need them!! *gasp!*.
posted by BillsR100 at 4:16 PM on January 31, 2007


Tell that to the 21 who died and the 150 who were injured and the 133 man-months it took to clean up the molasses mess.

I can't. They're dead now.


Just as funny as the Worcester Warehouse Fire of December 3, 1999?

Guess we find humor in different things. No harm, no foul.
posted by ericb at 4:17 PM on January 31, 2007


The subway is crippled; numerous lines have been shut down and been replaced by emergency bus service

I'm sorry, but how is this different from any other day on the MBTA? They're lucky if the emergency bus service isn't "replaced" by a Nor'easter and a worn-through pair of sneakers from having to walk everygoddamwhere...
posted by mykescipark at 4:24 PM on January 31, 2007


For anyone just joining the thread, the linked news articles were much more clueless (and hilarious) earlier in the day.
posted by designbot at 4:25 PM on January 31, 2007


Just as funny as the Worcester Warehouse Fire of December 3, 1999?

If that's what you're into, sure. Me, I'm more of cartoon alien terrorist threat and molasses kinda guy.
posted by paxton at 4:27 PM on January 31, 2007


Technically this is insurgent marketing then? At least they're not releasing earworms or viral ads.
posted by sebastienbailard at 4:28 PM on January 31, 2007 [2 favorites]


ABC's evening news led with this story.

Mouth agape, then I yell at the TV "It's a fucking Mooninite, 'ya idjits!", but apparently they couldn't hear me.

They mentioned ATHF, but the impression left was that the marketing was attempting to cause a panic with their devices, which was obviously ridiculous from their own 3 second footage of these "devices".

Like they had placed fake bombs in public places to cause a panic. Not Homeland Security pants wetting on national TV.

Seriously, Lite-Brite melts down city.
posted by dglynn at 4:37 PM on January 31, 2007


This story contains the phrase "wad of hamburger meat", which is pretty cool.
posted by mr_roboto at 4:41 PM on January 31, 2007


If someone can get this damned Podzinger search to return anything, you can enjoy Boston's reaction first-hand the way I did: on this afternoon's Big Show on WEEI. Upshot: Duffy from Quincy and Fred Smerlas agree that you are Sofa King We Todd Ed elitist punks who don't understand this is the perfect cover for a real terrorist to act. It kind of shook me that people honestly feel like this was a terrible thing and Turner execs should go to jail for it. What can I trade my remaining freedoms for?
posted by yerfatma at 4:42 PM on January 31, 2007


And this story is actually pretty good. The reporters managed to track down the "vanderlin" guy who has photos of one of the things in his Flickr account and get a description of the device from him. Not a bad piece of reporting, that.


Yeah, I'm bored at work.
posted by mr_roboto at 4:45 PM on January 31, 2007


The time: The Future. At Dawn.

The Setting: America. Outside the seventy five foot high walls of Ft. New York.

Guard #1: Hey. Whats that down there?

Guard #2: Looks like a giant Deputy Dog toy? On wheels.

Guard #1: It's another trick! God DAMN them evil terrorists.

Guard #2: What should we do?

Guard #1: Um. Call the His Excellency the mayor.

Guard #2: Ok. (Gets out futuristic call phone). Y.. Yes. Hello. Your Honor. We have a situation out on rampart 47... yes. We have a device. What? Oh. A stuffed cartoon dog. Yes, sir. Last time it was a Penguin. What should we do? Bring it in like last time? No. (whispers to guard #1 "Don't bring it in like last time") Ok. Your gonna patch us through to Under Ground Washington DC for instructions. Ok. We'll wait.

[hold music is Girl From Impanema]

Guard # 1: What's taking so long?

Guard #2: Shhhhhhhh. (Back on phone) Oh. Yes. I'm here. General Hassenflatz! Yes sir! Another situation out here in Ft. New York. Yes. Yes. We SHOULD have gone underground like all the other cities. I agree. But you know...budgets and all. No it's not a giant penguin. Thank god. This is something new. A 5-6 foot high Cartoon Dog of some sort. Well the penguin we brought in remember and then in made scary BOING noise and the resulting reaction got a about three hundred people killed in the cross fire. So we thought it best to leave THIS one outside the walls. Yes, sir. We will wait.

Guard #1: What he doing.

Guard #2: He is sending out the bombers.

Guard #1: Oh. Thats a relief.

[twenty minutes go by in montage of guards playing paddle ball and peeking over wall at giant dog 75 feet below etc]

[Sound of bomber jets approaching]

Guard #1: YAY! (waving to bombers)

Guard #2: It's our boys!

Guard #1: So what kind of bombs you think?

Guard #2: Oh. He said atomic. They really wanted to show those terrorists.

Guard #1: Take that TERRORISTS! Our sacrifice is worth it!
posted by tkchrist at 4:49 PM on January 31, 2007 [5 favorites]


in 1938 orson wells panicked a gullible nation with a radio version of "war of the worlds" that purported to describe martians landing in new jersey and zapping the hapless residents

in 2007 the cartoon network panicked a gullible city with small electric cartoon "moononites" attached to bridges that confronted helpless commuters with glowing middle fingers

in 2055 a grateful world gives hiram h shookfoot the nobel prize for a wearable cloaking device that eliminates shadows, saving the lives of the thousands of americans who die from shadow fright yearly

progress is wonderful, isn't it?

our new national motto - e pluribus weenum
posted by pyramid termite at 4:51 PM on January 31, 2007 [4 favorites]


"Vanderlin said the device, which broke while he was taking it down, is a light-emitting diode or LED that was manufactured in China. It consists of four double D batteries ..."

My favorites.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 5:07 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


It's a great big breasty diode, is what it is.
posted by cortex at 5:10 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


This is great news! Soon all advertising and/or design will be illegal. How I've longed for cities filled with simple architecture, devoid of distracting billboards, neon and cluttering signage.
posted by asfuller at 5:12 PM on January 31, 2007


designbot: If this is accurate, why the four calls coordinated around 1:00 p.m. Who made them? ... Follow the money my friend

If true, this would definitely be a case of causing public panic to further an ad campaign. But I find that (naively?) hard to swallow. It's far more likely that some radio station mentioned the first sighting, and suddenly everyone started noticing the things for the first time.

Repeat after me America: You aren't going to get blown up by a terrorist. You lead the safest lives man has ever lived. There is nothing to fear but... ah forget it.
posted by Popular Ethics at 5:14 PM on January 31, 2007


You lead the safest lives man has ever lived.

I dunno, I hear it's pretty cush up in Canada.

Bears, though. Strike that.
posted by cortex at 5:16 PM on January 31, 2007


This episode proves to me once and for all that there are only Barney Fifes left in any level of Homeland (In)Security, and that all the Andys have quit in disgust.

If we're really lucky, this will become one of those cultural watershed moments - yeah, yeah, 9-11 Changed Everything, but maybe, just maybe, the Day the Boston Police Blew up Fucking Mooninites can start changing everything back.
posted by yhbc at 5:19 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


I sort of wonder if this started with someone mistakingly hearing "LED" as "IED".
posted by MikeKD at 5:20 PM on January 31, 2007


Goddamit, Popular Ethics. Don't leave me hanging!! What is it?!!
posted by MikeKD at 5:22 PM on January 31, 2007


This whole thing is high larry us on so many levels.

However, this Fox News screencap is like the cherry on top of a delicious, delicious cake.

The next time someone tells me we don't live in a perpetual fear state... Well:

CNN says that "the Pentagon said U.S. Northern Command was monitoring the situation from its headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado, but said none of its units were sent to assist."

The Pentagon is monitoring some LEDs and a couple D batteries.
posted by sparkletone at 5:27 PM on January 31, 2007 [2 favorites]


MY NAME IS
posted by baphomet at 5:36 PM on January 31, 2007


I just can't believe this. I am too incredulous to laugh.

Well, then I saw this comment on Flickr:

"You're right. If i were going to bomb something, a big sign labeling it as a bomb would be really stupid. It would attract too much attention and not complete it's task, exploding before it is deteced.

Instead I would go for the much more subtle design of neon LEDs of a cartoon character giving a middle finger, now that's inconspicuous."

Then I laughed.

Are our police officers, media outlets, and national security folks ALL this fucking retarded? If so, we are fucked.
posted by mazatec at 5:45 PM on January 31, 2007


Looks like the video of the "guerrilla marketers" putting them up in Boston is back on YouTube.
posted by zsazsa at 5:46 PM on January 31, 2007


Boston.com reports that they arrested a man in Arlington who was hired by the guerilla marketing firm to install these things.

Welcome to the grim meathook future.
posted by solistrato at 5:49 PM on January 31, 2007


Holy Hell Carl is never going to be able to deal with this
posted by evilelvis at 5:52 PM on January 31, 2007


An arrest has been made.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 5:56 PM on January 31, 2007


we smoke as we shoot the bird.
posted by 3.2.3 at 5:57 PM on January 31, 2007


CNN says that "the Pentagon said U.S. Northern Command was monitoring the situation from its headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado, but said none of its units were sent to assist."

The Pentagon is monitoring some LEDs and a couple D batteries.


Well at least we know NORAD isn't just being wasted on Santa. It's only appropriate that the WOPR be charged with tracking the movements of the Mooninites.
posted by paxton at 5:58 PM on January 31, 2007


Why does Gov. Deval Patrick keep referring to this as a "hoax"? It's a goddamn sign, people. By these standards Las Vegas is a nuclear superpower.

Attention government employees! You are in a hole, stop digging!

Honestly, my flabbergast-o-meter is totally redlined and starting to smoke at this point.
posted by dglynn at 6:02 PM on January 31, 2007 [2 favorites]


On NPR, I was disappointed by their reporting when they referred to it as advertising for a new show on The Cartoon Network.
posted by drezdn at 6:02 PM on January 31, 2007


tkchrist -- priceless!
posted by ericb at 6:03 PM on January 31, 2007


An arrest has been made.

They summarily tasered him, right?
posted by furiousthought at 6:10 PM on January 31, 2007


observe, boston, the digital dong.
posted by psychoticreaction at 6:12 PM on January 31, 2007


Please take note. They've blurred the Mooninites cartoon LED finger.

Just don't want any of you thinking we gave up on Cromwell in these parts.
posted by paxton at 6:26 PM on January 31, 2007


they arrested a man in Arlington who was hired by the guerilla marketing firm to install these things

Well, since there was no intent to cause panic, I can't imagine they'll get anything to stick.
posted by oaf at 6:27 PM on January 31, 2007


"so, honey, how was work today?"

"it was awful ... i had to put up more of those cartoon thingies today, it was cold as hell and then some idiot cops see one, have the fucking BOMB SQUAD blow it up and then they FUCKING ARRESTED ME for doing MY FUCKING JOB ... and then that dumb bastard boss of mine took 2 FUCKING hours to get down to the station and bail my ass out

"jesus, i never should have quite my damn job at the fertilizer factory"
posted by pyramid termite at 6:32 PM on January 31, 2007 [2 favorites]


Got in on the tail end of the latest press briefing. The live stream on CNN.com had a good minute or so of open mike after the officials had cleared out. The comments by those left in the room (press?) were priceless. The gist being "This is ridiculous" and "Those things are about as non-threatening as it gets"

Well, since there was no intent to cause panic, I can't imagine they'll get anything to stick.
Maybe. They were throwing around phrases like "5 year felony" at the press conference.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:33 PM on January 31, 2007


i convict them of stupidity ... the sentence ... life
posted by pyramid termite at 6:36 PM on January 31, 2007


This puts a whole new spin on H.L. Mencken's quote: "No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people". Turner will be laughing all the way to the bank after the dust settles. You can't buy this kind of publicity.
posted by tighttrousers at 6:38 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


They were throwing around phrases like "5 year felony" at the press conference.

So someone leaves completely non-threatening art (at its best) or litter (at its worst) around various cities, the government has no idea what's going on, but pretends it does, and then arrests some guy who wasn't doing anything wrong just to cover its mistake?

I don't want to hear anyone from Boston talk about how the South is full of ignorant yokels ever again.
posted by oaf at 6:43 PM on January 31, 2007 [1 favorite]


From mr_crash_davis's link (above):
"An Arlington man was arrested after 38 hoax devices were found throughout greater Boston, Mayor Thomas Menino and Attorney General Martha Coakley announced Wednesday night.

The devices were eventually determined to be part of a marketing campaign that involved a character from the cartoon show 'Aqua Teen Hunger Force.'

Coakley said Peter Berdvosky, 27, of Arlington, was arrested Wednesday night and charged under a new statute that makes it a crime to place, transfer or possess a hoax device that results in panic. He was also charged with one count of disorderly conduct.

....Berdvosky will be arraigned in Charlestown District Court on Thursday. If convicted, Berdvosky faces up to five years in prison."
Holy, fuck -- there goes the "fall guy," the scapegoat.
posted by ericb at 6:51 PM on January 31, 2007


They were throwing around phrases like "5 year felony" at the press conference.

That's what really gets me angr