People are always getting confused about this free speech thing. The first amendment will not bail this asshat out.

Endive Wombat: Look, you can protest all you want, but the TSA is not going anywhere anytime soon. Cracking jokes about bombs while in a security checkpoint line is pretty dumb. I see it as walking the line of free speech and yelling "fire" in a movie theater...its in that grey area.

If he had yelled, "bomb" I would agree.

There is no way a reasonable person would think it was explosive.

The factt hat he didn't tackles the person immedioately to keep him away fromt he "explosives" shows he didn't think it was a threat.

I hope he wins, because unfortunately in the US today that is the only thing that will keep these TSA morons in line.

If I were a judge I would not order anyone to pay this idiot a dime.

Dumb dude. You shouldn't have said it.  On the other hand the TSA still has rules that make no sense and provide zero protection.

This is all a bunch of horse shiat as al qaeda is probably not going to use planes again, but will make us waste a ton of time and money for a fake feeling of security.

We are still doing everything the terrorists want us to do.

MaudlinMutantMollusk: /you are free to vocalize any "thought" that manages to wander across that wasteland between your ears
//that in no way implies that there will be no repercussions

Social repercussions such as people thinking the speaker is an asshat, etc, yes.  However if the repercussions are brought by the government because certain speech has been determined to have legal penalties, then by definition, the speaker isn't by any means "free" to vocalize any thought that wanders through his head.

colinspooky: Every time we arrived at an airport, we ordered the kids never to say the 'b-word' or mention anything along those lines, even as a joke. Why can't people understand that? Imagine the fall out (hmm) if the TSA people just laughed off all the 'jokes' and then one wasn't a joke. Who would be laughing then? Hope the courts throw out this appalling legal action and ensure this chap pays all the legal costs for both sides.

Maybe we shouldn't let people fly at all, I mean what if something happens!?!?!!? The TSA will look bad! Hows about we look for actual bombs instead of dumping untold resources into jokes.

colinspooky: Every time we arrived at an airport, we ordered the kids never to say the 'b-word' or mention anything along those lines, even as a joke. Why can't people understand that? Imagine the fall out (hmm) if the TSA people just laughed off all the 'jokes' and then one wasn't a joke. Who would be laughing then? Hope the courts throw out this appalling legal action and ensure this chap pays all the legal costs for both sides.

Yeah, cause the first thing someone carrying a bomb is gonna do is joke about carrying a bomb.

Please don't link to Infowars and give Alex Jones this traffic. That guy is dangerously paranoid.

Diogenes: DON'T MAKE FARKING BOMB JOKES IN THE AIRPORT

Also, don't snicker at the judge

Never look at the queen and say "How much?"

Hell, I'm Canadian, and I was told in the 70's by my father, to never make a bomb, explosive or hijack comment in an airport or plane.  This is not the TSA's fault - the PB guy is a moron.  I hope he gets zero for this suit

Real funny, Mr. Peanut Joke, I hope you're happy with yourself. Were there a few snickers from your friends, or did everybody realize it was a stupid thing to say? You've got to be a class A moron to think it was a good idea to joke around in front of TSA agents & their brittle nerves, I can only hope the judge has a sense of decorum & mocks you and your lawsuit.

Dear dumdum,

This kind of "joke" was taken seriously BEFORE 9/11.  You can fill one hand with the money you are gonna get from this case and take a dump in the other and see which one fills up faster.

I wish I got on that Jury, I'd give him 5 billion dollars.

The TSA may be a bunch of a-holes, but the fact remains that YOU SHOULD NOT EVER JOKE ABOUT A BOMB AT AN AIRPORT.

It's kinda like trying to argue with a cop who's writing you a ticket -- even if you're right, it's not going to change a damn thing, and will probably make your situation worse.

If that's a photo of him in his backyard, then he's already pretty rich and judging by the looks of him he has a pretty high opinion of himself, too. He probably does think he's got an easy 5 million on the way.

GoodyearPimp: Dear dumdum,

This kind of "joke" was taken seriously BEFORE 9/11.  You can fill one hand with the money you are gonna get from this case and take a dump in the other and see which one fills up faster.

Being stupid in the past doesn't mean we should be stupid in the future. For all this worry about jokes and the massive resources and attention we give to the perpetrators, there must be good data that real bombers like to make jokes pre-flight right? Please tell me this isn't all theater. Once? Has it happened at least once in the history of US air travel?

I for one, welcome our nut-crushing overlords.

/TSA
//Or PBJ
///Works either way.

Satanic_Hamster: colinspooky: Every time we arrived at an airport, we ordered the kids never to say the 'b-word' or mention anything along those lines, even as a joke. Why can't people understand that? Imagine the fall out (hmm) if the TSA people just laughed off all the 'jokes' and then one wasn't a joke. Who would be laughing then? Hope the courts throw out this appalling legal action and ensure this chap pays all the legal costs for both sides.

I go the opposite route.

I go with an explosives related keychain, t-shirt, the latest issue of the Journal of Explosives Engineers, and a copy of the Blaster's Handbook to read on the plane.

Don't forget to eat Taco Bell for the explosive diarrhea.

"My whole life was up in the air. It was a nightmare. My children were overwhelmed. It was crazy."

Wait, I thought the whole problem is they wouldn't let you up in the air.  Get your story straight, man.

In 2007, i was working for a financial institution that I shall not name, but the job involved constant traveling. I was on the TSA line in Skyharbor airport, when my blackberry rung, and a change of venue ensued. My schedule now involved me going to my secondary branch for the week, first, and I was instructed to inform my contacts ASAP. This meant I had to speak to someone with the title of Branch Operations Manager, which was always referred to, with the titles Acronym. So mid phone call, without thinking of where I was due to the hasty change in arrangements, I confirmed with my direct manager verbally by saying, " OK, the plans are ramped up, I'll talk to the BOM right before I board to confirm ". Just like in the movies, I could almost hear the sound effect of situation clarity, and looked up to see about 10 people staring at me, mouth open, eyes wide. I scanned left to right, and all sound seemed to disappear for just a moment while the group waited for explanation it seemed.. I just said aloud, BRANCH OFFICE MANAGER, no worries really... and everybody returned to waiting in line.
Luckily for me, that's the end of that story. On the other hand, how Effing sad is it, that I could have been detained for any period of time at all, for that little verbal slip?

serial_crusher: Hannibal spent the next 24 hours in a cell, during which time he was fed a peanut butter sandwich by cops who later charged him with the felony of "falsely reporting an incident".

That's the best part of the story. His lawsuit should go for more since they fed him the same dangerous liquids he was arrested over.


Exactly. I certainly hope his suit makes the point that, if PB is sooooooo dangerous, why do they feed it to prisoners? And if it's NOT dangerous, why don't they let it on planes?

liam76: Endive Wombat: Look, you can protest all you want, but the TSA is not going anywhere anytime soon. Cracking jokes about bombs while in a security checkpoint line is pretty dumb. I see it as walking the line of free speech and yelling "fire" in a movie theater...its in that grey area.

If he had yelled, "bomb" I would agree.

There is no way a reasonable person would think it was explosive.

The factt hat he didn't tackles the person immedioately to keep him away fromt he "explosives" shows he didn't think it was a threat.

I hope he wins, because unfortunately in the US today that is the only thing that will keep these TSA morons in line.

You're an idiot.  This didn't happen because the TSA mistook peanut butter for a bomb.  This happened because he made a clear declaration that he had explosives with him.  From the article: "Hannibal then commented to his wife and children that 'They're looking to confiscate my explosives."

sno man: And if TSA guy is bewildered by your separating peanut butter, he probably won't pick up on your sarcasm voice either.

If the TSA guy is that stupid, then he is useless in his job and should be fired.

I said, "Yo baby, you da bomb."


$7 peanut butter?

MythDragon: [25.media.tumblr.com image 300x220]
Loves it when a plan comes together.

Came for this.

olderbudnoweiser: Hmmm, I wonder if a 16oz jar of peanut butter is on a list of banned carry on items the TSA provides the air traveling public?

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/traveling-food-or-gifts

/Damn SKIPPY!

"Here's a list of liquid, aerosol and gel items..."

Peanut butter is none of those.

Damn government, first ketchup is a vegetable, now peanut butter is a liquid.

MythDragon: This guy is a real
[i.walmartimages.com image 500x500]

That stuff is a crime against humanity.

Even if it is Smucker's, it's not always good.

colinspooky: Yeah, they will, if it means everyone just laughs and let's them through......

Right, cause those are the only two options when dealing with someone making an obvious joke.  Immediately arrest them, or immediately let them on the plane.

Louisiana_Sitar_Club: This happened because he made a clear declaration that he had explosives with him. From the article: "Hannibal then commented to his wife and children that 'They're looking to confiscate my explosives."

And I'm King of the Universe.

Oooh, that means, since I said it, you think it is literally true. Let's try this: You owe me $1,000,000! Pay up, biatch!

... or do what the TSA can't, and recognize farking sarcasm.

liam76: Endive Wombat: Look, you can protest all you want, but the TSA is not going anywhere anytime soon. Cracking jokes about bombs while in a security checkpoint line is pretty dumb. I see it as walking the line of free speech and yelling "fire" in a movie theater...its in that grey area.

If he had yelled, "bomb" I would agree.

There is no way a reasonable person would think it was explosive.

The factt hat he didn't tackles the person immedioately to keep him away fromt he "explosives" shows he didn't think it was a threat.

I hope he wins, because unfortunately in the US today that is the only thing that will keep these TSA morons in line.

Pfft.  This isn't a TSA thing.  A friend of mine got pulled into a room and questioned for hours for making a bomb joke in an airport 20 years before 9/11.  He was a college kid, and most likely drunk, so it's almost understandable that he didn't know any better, but nowadays?  How does anyone not know that making a bomb joke in an airport will get you in trouble?

\go find an open mic night, if you think you're so witty
\\no sympathy for idiots like this

DROxINxTHExWIND: Hannibal spent the next 24 hours in a cell, during which time he was fed a peanut butter sandwich by cops who later charged him with the felony of "falsely reporting an incident".

Huh? He didn't report anything. He made a sarcastic remark


Yup- the TSA guy did. Arrest HIM!