Aqua Teen Hunger Force Attacks Boston, 10 Other Cities

[JackRiddler]

This is too good!

CNN just now announcing a statement by the parent company, Turner Broadcasting, that the hoax packages in Boston are actually part of a campaign to promote ATHF (the Adult Swim program on Cartoon Network late nights), which has been running for weeks in various cities, and mistaken by these genius Boston cops as hoax bombs.

You just can't make up this stuff!

UPDATE: Cops actually a bit smarter than I first thought - the ATHF displays were apparently mis-appropriated and strapped to sensitive targets like bridges, so someone else went and screwed the Cartoon Network, there's the apparent "prank."

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Let me see, strapped to load bearing

pillar of a bridge...

No the cops did not over react.

Somebody at the CN is gonna pay... for this... as in felony category

But hey, whatever

[JackRiddler]

5. UPDATE/CORRECT: Boston cops not so un-genius-y

Got it, apparently the ATHF ad displays were taken and strapped to weird sensitive locations, as NadinBrzesinski mentions. Am updating OP accordingly...

[uppityperson]

34. Weren't they in place for 2wks? Article said that.

So it took only 2 weeks to notice and suddenly react?

[PittPoliSci]

2. i've noticed nobody described what the packages look like.

so the cops involved don't look like idiots cause they probably look like mooninites or somehting.

[kiahzero]

7. They do indeed.

http://img.viacomlocalnetworks.com/images_sizedimage_031105805/lg

[Hosnon]

3. Incredible! I'd hate to be the marketing employee who came up with this. nt.

[-..__...]

39. "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."

... Arthur Carlson

[wicket]

4. From Boston.com:

BREAKING NEWS: CNN is expected to issue an apology for causing today's series of bomb scares throughout Boston. A statement emailed to the Globe from Turner Broadcasting said: "The “packages” in question are magnetic lights that pose no danger. They are part of an outdoor marketing campaign in 10 cities in support of Adult Swim’s animated television show Aqua Teen Hunger Force. 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. Parent company Turner Broadcasting is in contact with local and federal law enforcement on the exact locations of the billboards. We regret that they were mistakenly thought to pose any danger." Story

[malaise]

16. So CNN interrupts regular news and spends hours

discussing a terror plot which is their pathetic attempt at promoting one of their programs. Damn this is too good.

[nadinbrzezinski]

20. So who at CNN will go to the pokie?

[JackRiddler]

22. Not CNN...

Cartoon Network, or Turner Broadcasting or the contracter will be held responsible.

UPDATE

Hmm... maybe cops not so brilliant after all: this was not misappropriated, but the actual campaign. Turner Broadcasting currently saying on CNN:

"They have been in place for 2 to 3 weeks in Boston, New York, LA, Chicago..." etc.

So it took them 2 to 3 wks to notice.

This is probably going to cause the company a lot... then again, ATHF is going to have its highest ratings ever.

[kiahzero]

23. I fail to see why the company should be held liable.

What exactly did they do wrong? What tortious action did they commit?

This is what happens when you bombard people with the message that they need to report anything even remotely out of the ordinary.

[jarab]

27. In the least someone with Turner should have

called and explained as soon as this hit the breaking news stage.
Maybe it was to their advantage commercially to keep it newsworthy as long as possible.
..O...

[kiahzero]

29. It probably took them a bit to realize what the hell was going on.

Being a reasonable person, I doubt it occurred to them the second that it was announced "suspicious packages" were found that it might have something to do with cheap light displays they had installed.

[malaise]

24. Thanks

It's hilarious.

[Holly_Hobby]

17. Don't you feel safer?

"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."

What if they'd been real? Great job, DHS. /sarcasm

[CrownPrinceBandar]

6. I love ATHF, but this was DUMB!!......

somebody will pay for this big time.

[AlCzervik]

9. no kidding, fing idiots.

it was probably Carl.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

35. Or that dog Meatwad made in his pool.

[kenny blankenship]

8. I blame the Moonenites

Let me guess, the "bomb" looked like this:

[kiahzero]

11. It did.

http://img.viacomlocalnetworks.com/images_sizedimage_031105805/lg

It amazes me that people find this so surprising; people are bombarded with the message to call the police if they see anything remotely unusual. What annoys me the most, though, is the way it's spun... if it's not an actual explosive, it must be a 'hoax,' rather than an overzealous tipster.

[kenny blankenship]

18. I guess the Mooninite invasion is under way for real this time

[RedStateShame]

10. "Repeat after me. I am....sofa king...."

[Torgo Johnson]

12. Frylock must be behind this.

He's always had this sinister look about him.

[AlCzervik]

14. it's gotta be Carl.

[JackRiddler]

37. au contraire

This guy's calm and reasonable. It's the other one, the soft drink that does the crazy shit.

[Sydnie]

13. Will Pitt is going to need a lot of DIP!

[malaise]

15. I am still laughing

:rofl: :rofl:

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. oh it is still histerfical

but the idiot who aproved it will not enjoy the 10-25 in the pokie

[kiahzero]

21. That would require criminal intent.

I can't say for certain without seeing the statute, but I highly doubt that a prosecutor would be able to prove even reckless intent, let alone knowledge.

[-..__...]

38. From the Mass General Laws.

IANAL...

Looks like the key words here are

"with the intent to cause anxiety"

and...

"that would cause a person reasonably to believe"

§ 102A½. Possession of Hoax Device.

(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.

c) This section shall not apply to any law enforcement or public safety officer acting in the lawful discharge of official duties.

(d) The court shall, after a conviction, conduct a hearing to ascertain the extent of costs incurred, damages and financial loss suffered by local, county or state public safety agencies and the amount of property damage caused as a result of the violation of this section. A person found guilty of violating this section shall, in all cases, upon conviction, in addition to any other punishment, be ordered to make restitution to the local, county or state government for any costs incurred, damages and financial loss sustained as a result of the commission of the offense. Restitution shall be imposed in addition to incarceration or fine; however, the court shall consider the defendant's present and future ability to pay in its determinations regarding a fine. In determining the amount, time and method of payment of restitution, the court shall consider the financial resources of the defendant and the burden restitution will impose on the defendant.

[malaise]

25. LOL

:rofl:

[Lethe]

30. me too this is hilarious!

The fact that the word "moonanite" may have been mentioned in a serious way on a cable news show is too much!

[brettdale]

26. Can you imagine how the right wing media is going to spin this?

Can you imagine how the right wing media is going to spin this?

[AlienGirl]

28. No one can defeat the Quad Laser!

[LTR]

31. K+R, just for the headline

Too damn funny!

:rofl:

[slutticus]

32. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:rofl: :rofl:

[Toucano]

33. Why does the Aqua Teen Hunger Force hate us?

Is if for our freedoms? Because we're three dimensional?

[KamaAina]

36. Wouldn't that be the "Aqua Teen Force Experiencing Food Insecurity"?

There is no more hunger in America. The Bushies made sure of that. By defining it out of existence. :eyes:

[peekaloo]

40. CN should have stuck with their "I pooted" billboards.

instead of shitting their pants with this "stunt".

:-(