January 31, 2007
City of Boston vs. Turner Broadcasting vs. Aqua Teen Hunger Force
Turns out the circuit-board devices that have steamed the governor, the mayor, and the commish are the result of a boneheaded marketing move on the part of Turner Broadcasting.
The rumors were bubbling that the circuit boards were imprinted with the image of a character from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Only it's not some clever lone hypester trying to promo the movie.
In a statement, Turner Broadcasting is apologizing to the city of Boston for freaking everyone out: "We regret that they were mistakenly thought to pose any danger."
Bostonist listened to some of the live webcast on WCVB, and the newscasters were mad that Turner Broadcasting waited so long to say anything since all this started this morning.
Image from Cartoon Network's Aqua Teen Hunger Force site. And, after what happened today, Bostonist doesn't feel about about using the image at all. That little green purple bugger on the left by the green bugger (thanks, Sarah! - .ed) is the one who set all this mess off.
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Nice One Cup!
Nice One Cup!
actually, it would be the little * purple * bugger on the left, not the green one...
actually, it's the little purple bugger on the left, not the green one.
You're calling Turner Broadcasting boneheaded? You've got the story backwards, my friend. And I think this serves as an excellent example of how overly paranoid our country has become. And how much you should believe them the next time they describe a suspicious event.
Remember the, "They were purchasing cell phones! These can be used to remote detonate our bridge! And the batteries can be used to make meth! And even if they weren't doing any of that, the profit from the purchase and resale of these cell phones could be used to finance TERROR!" ?
Yeah. Naturally, they were let go without any charges when it was discovered that the only criminal plot was in the mind of a small town's law enforcement. Same here.
They're so hyped up and focus on terror, they see terror everywhere they go. When you've got a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
It seems clear that 'terror training' needs to put more focus on reality.
"Boneheaded" marketing move. Riiiight. One that's gotten a ton of uncompensated publicity from, among others, Bostonist. Genius marketing move, more like.
Cannot agree with you on this one at all, Mantary Damarcy. I can't blame the BPD for overreacting when they are compelled to respond to the slightest suspicion by a general environment of paranoia at the national level. The advertising agency is, meanwhile, deeply culpable for pulling a stunt that it knew was going to be interpreted in this way. Come on, leaving ANY suspicious objects dangling around public transportation is going to be handled severely. A few kids threw an umbrella onto the track between Andrew and JFK stations in September, and the T got delayed for an hour. Granted, the advertisers may benefit from the publicity here, but they may also be going to the big house for a while, and I will not pity the fools if that happens.
when LEDs glow, the terrorists win.
They should make the producers participate in a water drinking contest.
Anyone see the pictures of the bomb squad blowing up the "devices"?
Say this in your best Chief Wiggum voice, "Nice work toys, err I mean boys."
So now we are to assume that any package that we cannot readily identify is a bomb?
What a nation of paranoid wusses we have become.
Dear Boston,
Hey, what's gotten into you lately, man? You used to be hip and chill. Now this, having an anxiety attack over a couple of lightboards? Shit, this is the sort of thing an MIT kid could make before breakfast (if he/she ate any). I can't imagine how you'd react to throwies! You'd probably burst a vein.
I expected better from you. Dude, these things have been in NYC (home of that 9/11 stuff), Seattle (overcaffeinated and uptight), even freaking Texas (GWB's home state)! No one spazzed but you.
Love you, man, but I think you seriously need a vacation.
- Boston Expat.
These things have been showing up for two weeks and may have even been in place for the past two weeks. Then today the police, mayor, gov get all exciting creating a transit nightmare instead of silently getting rid of the quote threat. The police, transportation officials, etc. should of noticed these things weeks ago. Really inspiring ability these folks have to keep track of what is going on. When they finally notice something they made the situation worse. Pathetic.
Sarah is incorrect...the picture depicted on your site of these devices (see link below) depicts the green guy, whose name is Ignignokt. You can tell by the shape of the top of him head. He also has "sad" eyebrows (upwards towards what would be his nose), as opposed to the "angry" eyebrows (downwards towards what would be his nose) of the purple guy, who is named "Er."
www[dot]bostonist[dot]com/archives/2007/01/31/new_aqua_teen_hunger_force_wreaks_havoc_in_boston.php
Journalism guys...come on.
-Drew
And the misquotes...
"Say this in your best Chief Wiggum voice, 'Nice work toys, err I mean boys.'"
"Bake 'em away, toys."
"What'd you say chief?"
"Do what the kid said."
And the misquotes...
"Say this in your best Chief Wiggum voice, 'Nice work toys, err I mean boys.'"
"Bake 'em away, toys."
"What'd you say chief?"
"Do what the kid said."
I can't believe what kind of dolt it takes to think that is a bomb. Maybe i am just technically inclined to the point that i don't think that something i can't identify that has lights is a bomb, and/or i've seen the show before.
I am conservative, so i should be outraged at muslims right for making us so scared right? or something else equally retarted. The city of Boston and their mayor have been known to overreact to stunts and i think this one is no different. (look up opie and anthony's history in boston...) If the people who found these had a shred of common sense, there wouldn't even be a story here.
I think if anything it should be the people who "found" the "bombs" that should be apologizing for making a big deal out of flashing lights. I wonder if the same people are going to freak out next time they go to the movies and see a movie marquee. hopefully they won't think that shiny lights = bomb...
The people of Boston who were scared of this cartoon character must be some of the dumbest retards in the world.
This is the single funniest reaction I've ever seen to anything.
Ignignokt and Err have been up all over Boston, NY, Atlanta and Seattle for weeks. There have been vids on YouTube by LightSnipe about how they were installed.
For me, it was a form a guerilla art - just like the posters you've all seen all over any real city critizing our government and other public figures.
And yeah, you, all of you with sticks up your asses, do deserve a big middle finger about it.
Come on everyone. It's Aqua Teen Hunger Force we're talking about. This juvenile and ludicrous show is striking fear into the people of Boston. I think it's outrageous how they have to call out the bomb squad for an advertisement for ATHF. Nowadays everyone freaks out about every single little thing that could hurt them. It's a sign that lights up, not a bomb. I think everyone should just lay back and stop worrying about small "threats" like this one.
The boneheads weren't the advertisers, they were the POLICE. A bunch of asshats.
Damn Ignignokt: They are seeing it because you are doing it as hard as you can!
This is going to be the Supreme Court case kids. Going apeshit in the name of anti-terrorism vs 1st Amendment speech. Look it sucks if you were scared or inconvenienced, but do you blame the company or the people who may have overreacted and worsened the "hoax."
Wow - amazing! All of the cops & bomb 'X-spurts' involved in this should be sent to guard Fallujah in clown outfits armed with bows & arrows! If America is to really survive - the retards must be sent to the front ASAP! Vampire Rodents rules! Daniel Vahnke AKA Anton Rathausen
How pathetic can people get?
Two things are particularly irritating:
1) This was not a "hoax," and any governor or cop who says it is an idiot who doesn't know basic English vocabulary. A hoax is a deception, a fraud, or some kind of false representation. What "deception" was being pulled here? None.
2) Headlines that say things like "Electronic Devices Give Boston a Scare" (CNN) are just plain ridiculous! What a lot of people in Boston got was a laugh--and I'm talking about everyone who knows what a mooninite is. Don't make the rest of us sound like idiots by including us in your "bomb scare" crap.
If this gets out of hand and real charges are pressed, I want to see hundreds of Frylocks, Shakes, and Meatwads descend on the courthouse, demanding belts that will give them the powers of the 70s rock group, Foreigner. Or broodwiches.
I strongly agree with post #5.
I do not even watch this show, but I completely agree. These "devices" were 'guerrilla art' advertisements. They looked nothing like an IED.
And all of you people who think Turner did this on purpose, to get this marketing exposure, you are wrong. They had no idea people would be stupid enough to take these flat, 2-dimensional advertisements as a bomb.
The media and the city of Boston are going to try to crucify Turner Comm in order to save face, and I hope Turner can avoid this. I hope common sense prevails.
I strongly agree with post #5.
I do not watch the show, yet I agree with other posters that this is a complete over-reaction by the media and the city. We are apparently living in a society of fear. And if we crucify Turner Comm, we will just be perpetuating that fear.
It is not healthy...
And to those that think Turner Comm did this on purpose for the media attention, I feel you are wrong. Turner did not think people would be stupid enough to mistake those 2-dimensional circuit board advertisements as bombs.
And from what I have heard, most people are not. These signs have been in some cities for 2 weeks already, and there have been no bomb squads called. They simply do not look like IED's, and they are not a hoax. It was all a big mistake, and most of the blame does not lie of Turner Comm.
This whole thing would be funny, if my friend and his friend weren't in jail for it at the moment.
Regardless, the paranoia about circuit boards that you can see through with some LEDs and AA batteries and wires is sad.
Just shows you what a bunch of morons are protecting our cities, as well as running them.
I beleive it was on 9/11/2001 when the great security people in Logan Airport let 2 hijackers through security with box cutters in their bags.
Strike 2 for boston!
Long live ATHF.
oh..thank you ..for catching those terrible cartoon terroist....now ewe can sleep safely at night...give me a break..send those poor cops to school tpo learn how to tell a bomb from a lite brite sign..this is totally rediculas..I hope turner broad casting sues
What the heck does this mean? I don't understand the story.
Are you kidding me, haha theyre bomb squads definition of a bomb is something electronic, with a power source, and a circuit board; Don't the majority of electronics have those things!!!
I'd hate to see what the mayor would do if he ever caught one of his kids playing with a lite bright!!!!
I agree with an earlier poster about use of the word "hoax." This wasn't a "hoax" -- no one was trying to make anyone think these devices were bombs or in any way a threat. In 9 out of the 10 cities where they were place people, including low enforcement, easily recognized them for what they are -- an advertising device.
What in the world is wrong with Boston?
And, if city officials believe this is really such a serious matter that requires holding people accountable, why didn't they march into the corporate offices of Turner Broadcasting and march out a couple of executives? By topping their massive panicky screw up with over the top bullying of some long haired hired hands they have only underscored what a lame posse of cowards run that poor city.
uhhhh lets see. All you people react by saying the police were wrong BUT, If they had found one to have been a copy cat that was an actual bomb then all of you would be thanking the PD for saving your butt. So, when or where is the line . The PD's job is to serve and prtect. And that is what they were doing protecting you. BUt, really all you can do is pick them apart. We are in a time of terrorist and war people WAKE UP....
It is your money spent... Stop with the jokes and let the PD do real protecting and serving.
In my opinion if they make a mistake in the eye of helping the public then good for them.
Turner prodcast should have to pay for the PD's time and resources. But, all you people keep laughing and pay your taxes to pay for all of this.
1000 points for the PD protecting and serving I say
This is just another reason why the rest of the world thinks we are idiots and have a general feeling of hatred and resentment towards us.... We are in another country right now detonating bombs and launching attacks that, regardless of intent or justification, result in the deaths of innocent civilians. Our presence has resulted in a significant level of instabilty and suffering, regardless of how poor living conditions were previously, proven by the large number of iraqis seeking refuge from their own neighborhoods.
Our own troops are faced with real paranoia about their own safety from hidden explosives... Yet in our own backyard, we overreact about a handful of cartoon light bright devices stuck around the city... My god, someone could have been wounded by one of these things!!!!
So now we must throw out common sense, and take the utmost level of caution when dealing with anything that could be a bomb in our own cities; we should just switch over to clear public trash cans and strip searching everyone on the streets, in train stations or walking or driving over bridges and tunnels with any sort of electronic device on them... or batteries... they could be used for a bomb!!! Give me a break, this is absurd. I understand a little concern at first, but part of the measureable effectiveness of a city's response to emergencies should be its ability to assess threats. This never should have resulted in the panic or disruption that it ended with. It should be a slap on the wrist for public graffiti or tresspassing or whatever... Terror charges? The only terror charges here should be on the media and the boston police for overreacting and scaring the bejesus out of people for no valid reason. If they were such a threat, how come nobody noticed them for weeks, and no other city reacted in the same way?
And an even better question is, how many people have died in Iraq from real bombs, and how many people have died in israel or palestine from suicide bombs, rocket attacks or clusterbombing... Where is our concern over that? Our country hardly seems to notice anymore. Its not front page news material anymore. No wonder the world does not respect us.
Who would plant a copycat Ignignokt with a bomb ib it? Only the PD would pull off something like that. Think about it, increased funding, then they pounce on their own bomb, declare they have saved the city, and fry the Aqua Teen 2 as part of a multi-city domestic terror plot. This fraud of an event only serves to beef up to domestic police state. Now you should be afraid to express yourself in ANY form because of how a few terrified lunatics and government worshippers might interpret it. On top of that the media conspires to label your act as a BOMB HOAX and crucify you publicly. The 2 were right to pay no respect to the media whores at their press conference. This insane reaction of a few paranoid Americans and an amped-up militarized security force needs to be ridiculed and mocked endlessly. This is equally another attack in the war on the endless war on the counter culture - a few citizens who were not in on the joke - couldn't or wouldn't recognize characters from an Adult Swim cartoon - interpret the ATHF posters as threats to their safety. Long hair was and is still viewed as threatening by many Americans for its lifestyle associations and implications. Imagine would the same response have taken place over precariously placed lit-up posters for American Idol??
BTW, wake up - we are in a time of MANUFACTURED terrorism and PHONY war. Don't be tools! State sponsored terrorism is the oldest game in the book and it keeps everyone slaves to fear.
"For me, it was a form a guerilla art - just like the posters you've all seen all over any real city critizing our government and other public figures."
Last time I checked, the difference between real guerilla art, which is political, and advertising, whose aim is to realize a profit, was clear enough to me. I don't think you understand that.
Very sad that a bunch of corporate suits thought this was a good way to make some money. I would release the two men immediately, but go after the company that planned the stunt. I'm beginning to think that most of these comments are coming right from company HQ.
And, yes, I agree with #33 that the PD just did what it was asked to do. Normally I have little sympathy for the police, but I trust them a hell of a lot more than I do your corporation.
ha ha funny stuffs
and props to #33and #37 too.