Steampunk Art Is Now Terrorism, According To The TSA
Via David Burkhead, the TSA has now taken to arresting people with artsy homemade watches and shoes. The nitwits at the Oakland airport said his watch could be used to make a timing device for a bomb.
Um...any watch could be used for that -- especially digital ones. This watch, as Burkhead suggests, was probably some form of steampunk art -- a sort of Jules Verne style that hamburger clerks hired to man "security" would surely have no idea of.
This is not grounds for taking a man's freedom.
From the AP story:
Geoffrey McGann, 49, of Rancho Palos Verdes was taken into custody Thursday night after he tried to pass through airport security with an ornate watch that had switches, wires and fuses, according to Sgt. J.D. Nelson, a spokesman for the Alameda County Sheriff's Department.A bomb squad arrived within five minutes and determined there were no explosive materials in the watch, Nelson said. The checkpoint was closed while officers secured the area.
McGann was taken to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin where he was charged with possessing materials to make an explosive device, sheriff's officials said. He was still in custody Friday night and could not be reached for comment.
McGann told Transportation Security Administration officers that he's an artist and the watch is art, Nelson said.
While no actual explosives were found, McGann was carrying potentially dangerous materials and appeared to have made alterations to his boots, which were unusually large and stuffed with layers of insoles, Nelson said.
A profile for a person named Geoffrey McGann on the website LinkedIn.com lists him as the owner and creative director of a media production company called Generator Content. He attended the Art College Center of Design in Pasadena from 1984 to 1987, according to the website.
These idiots, idiots at the TSA. This is a guy who makes commercials, not bombs. Here's his profile from his website.
A question: Will this be enough? Creative dudes getting arrested for having creative watches and funny shoes? What will it take before people start to realize they could be next? And that the degradation of our rights and the sheeplike, blinking acceptance of that paves the way for more and more degradation of our rights?
Come on, Jeff Guinn. Explain how this saves American lives - how this demonstrates that no holes exist in this impregnable layer of defense.
Come on, Mike Hunter. Tell us all just what mode of transportation this man can use without sacrificing his right to travel (the Lemuel Penn case) or his 4th Amendment rights.
We need a new regulation: "No person possessing an operating brain may be allowed to board an aircraft. Operating brains can be used to assemble bombs and other weapons."
Because there are damned few brains operating checkpoints. In order to recognize a threat, you actually have to know what one looks like. That doesn't mean reading it in a rule book.
Radwaste at November 17, 2012 8:23 AM
"Potentially dangerous materials."
Utter bullshit. The bad guy can bring a ballpoint pen on board and kill one person with it, maybe two before the passengers act. Same thing with long hair and a half-ounce of Super Glue, or a broken tray table edge, or window trim, or the wire from the underwire bra so carefully cradling the breasts of the passenger fondled at the airport.
The radiation from the scanners is bothering people. Meanwhile, the entirety of this theater is radiating stupidity, and it contaminates people, making them stupid too.
Radwaste at November 17, 2012 8:29 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/11/17/steampunk_art_i.html#comment-3458631">comment from RadwasteRad is absolutely right and I thought about that as I was in the shower this morning. There are a million things you could make bombs out of. There was surely no EVIDENCE he planned to do anything but fly to his destination. His shoes, likewise, are a sign of nothing but creativity in dress.
It is sick and very worrisome that a man was arrested for these non-reasons.
This is what I keep talking about vis a vis the TSA and the erosion of our rights. The more we allow them to be eroded, the more they will continue to be.
It would have been unimaginable to have your breasts felt up by a government worker in order to board a plane just a few years ago. Now people are polite to the government workers who do this -- essentially, they are docilely handing over their rights. Yes, sir; no, ma'am, would you like me to bend over so you can cavity search me without lube?
Amy Alkon at November 17, 2012 10:01 AM
He should have used the Eddie Murphy line from Beverly Hills Cop 2:
"What are you, a fucking art critic?"
I guess these brownshirts can add that one to their resumes now.
Yo! Dickheads! You know what would make a great trigger for a bomb? A LAPTOP!
DrCos at November 17, 2012 10:08 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/11/17/steampunk_art_i.html#comment-3458644">comment from DrCosI've written to Geoff McGann asking for a photo of the shoes and watch, which are probably pretty cool. I also expressed my worry about and sympathy for what was done to him. We need to take it very, very seriously, how easy it is to take away someone's freedom these days.
Amy Alkon at November 17, 2012 10:13 AM
So many flies getting into the TSA ointment these days.
http://tsaoutofourpants.wordpress.com/
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at November 17, 2012 10:35 AM
Gotta love this quote from one of the articles: "TSA agents reported McGann placing the wrist watch in a security bin before suspiciously covering it with a jacket"
Heck, when I have to fly, I also "hide" my valuables, by putting them in my carry-on, which has non-TSA locks on it. It's called theft-prevention.
Of course, the media articles are all very credulous: "OMG, what if it was a dry run for a real attack, OMG his boots were too big, OMG he was also wearing a 'military style' shirt, OMG panic."
What crap. Zero evidence. And for the greatest WTF of all, this from ABC: "Passengers we spoke with on this day, one of the busiest travel times of the year, applauded the TSA." Damn sheeple.
a_random_guy at November 17, 2012 11:09 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/11/17/steampunk_art_i.html#comment-3458762">comment from a_random_guyGotta love this quote from one of the articles: "TSA agents reported McGann placing the wrist watch in a security bin before suspiciously covering it with a jacket" Heck, when I have to fly, I also "hide" my valuables,
It's a wise policy since quite a few of the TSA workers (they are not officers) have been shown to be THIEVES!
The thugs left my iPad and laptop out unguarded when I was violated at JFK on Thursday night. More on that -- I have to get the first name of the officer who touched my labia and my breasts as well as groping the rest of my body entirely sans probable cause...as well as reporting the supervisor, a light-skinned black guy named Roger Grant, who threatened to have me arrested for asking for the first name of Ms. Moore, who violated me in the name of "security."
Amy Alkon at November 17, 2012 12:19 PM
One of the TSA workers at PDX tried to force me to remove my engagement ring. I was given multiple reasons ranging from it would set off the metal detectors and I'd use it as an excuse while hiding weapons on me. My favorite excuse was that it was dangerous and could be used as a weapon. Um....okay. I'm sure it was just a way for him to try stealing it from me. The jackass had no ID on him either, nor did the rest of that shift except for one person. The supervisor said they didn't enforce the requirement to wear ID because the workers were being harassed for doing their jobs.
BunnyGirl at November 17, 2012 1:09 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/11/17/steampunk_art_i.html#comment-3458822">comment from BunnyGirlIf any lawyers are reading, or anybody who knows about this, I need to find out where there's some provision that says you have a right to know the full name and badge number of the person who is violating (uh, searching) you for the government. Remember, these are government workers doing what can reasonably be considered a violation of your rights. It is completely Orwellian that you would not be allowed to have the name -- first and last -- of the person who touched your vagina without the slightest shred of probable cause as a condition of allowing you to complete travel you'd paid for.
Amy Alkon at November 17, 2012 1:28 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/11/17/steampunk_art_i.html#comment-3458824">comment from Amy AlkonAnd good for you, Bunny, for standing up to them.
And okay, it's funnynews, but can it be far from truth? "Chronic Fondler Finds Home at JFK as TSA Employee" http://shar.es/GKRx2
Amy Alkon at November 17, 2012 1:31 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/11/17/steampunk_art_i.html#comment-3458874">comment from Amy AlkonEmail to me about the jailed advertising creative guy Geoffrey McGann from Lisa Simeone @TSANewsBlog: "Amy, I think this guy is still in jail. He has to come up w/$150,000 bond"
And let's be mindful -- this was for the crime of wearing a funky watch that the hamburger clerks working as "security" people thought COULD be used to detonate a bomb. Of course, anybody with a background in chemistry could make a bomb out of any number of elements. That doesn't mean they will.
His crime -- for which he was jailed: Creative dress that unskilled workers are not accustomed to seeing on sale at JC Penney.
Amy Alkon at November 17, 2012 2:27 PM
As predicted, the blabbosphere is full of craptastic comments by fearful, credulous Americans siding with the criminal TSA and the even more criminal cops. "Why did he wear that watch to the airport?! He should've known better. He had big shoes on! Doesn't he remember the shoe bomber??! I'm glad he was arrested. Better safe than sorry!"
Europeans and anyone with a brain are laughing at us. Laughing at the sad, pathetic spectacle this country has become.
Bertrand de Jouvenel said it best: "A society of sheep must in time beget a government of wolves."
(P.S. to Gog_Magog - yes, Jon Corbett also writes for TSA News. He's heroic, representing himself in a protracted lawsuit against the TSA. And no, he's not a lawyer.)
Lisa Simeone at November 17, 2012 2:34 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/11/17/steampunk_art_i.html#comment-3458899">comment from Lisa SimeoneJon is incredible -- I had drinks with him when he was in LA, and admire the hell out of him. He has learned the law as an amateur (he's a software designer), and he is taking his case to the Supreme Court and funding it, too. (This is not cheap, by any means -- just the paperwork and binding requirements are enormous.) Please consider donating to help him.
Amy Alkon at November 17, 2012 2:49 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/11/17/steampunk_art_i.html#comment-3458901">comment from Amy AlkonAlso, the cool thing about TSANewsBlog, which cross-posts most of my TSA posts, is that it's a bunch of mostly journalists of various political persuasions coming together on civil liberties.
Greg Lukianoff, likewise, of theFIRE.org, is personally a Democrat but defends the free speech rights of anyone who has them violated, whether or not he is in political agreement with them (or finds their ideas palatable in the slightest). I will, too -- free speech and the rest of our civil liberties MUST be defended, or they will continue to be eroded and eroded, which is devastating and dangerous.
Amy Alkon at November 17, 2012 2:52 PM
If they have a problem with Steampunk, imagine what will happen when a member of the SCA goes to an airport in full garb, preferably Templar or Crusader. I used to play in the SCA, and we used to go to Walmart in garb when we were at Pennsic War (a 2 week long camping event) and all we got were a few weird looks. Now, who knows? We would probably be arrested for whatever trumped up reason, just like this guy.
I hope he gets a really good lawyer and sues the hell out of the people who did this to him.
Kat at November 17, 2012 3:31 PM
Only part of the blame can be laid at the feet of the TSA.
Also complicit in this idiotic disgrace are the Alameda County Sheriff's Department. They are the ones with the power to arrest people, and they are the ones that made the determination that wearing a steampunk watch and big shoes is an arrestable offense.
Noteworthy here is Sgt J.D. Nelson, who, while acting as a spokesman for the Alameda County Sheriff's Department, made the following statements: "He does do art kind of stuff, but what reasonable person would bring a watch like that into an airport and think that’s OK?" Nelson said. "You may have a toy gun as art, but would you bring it to the airport?" (As quoted in the LA Times: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/11/man-arrested-after-airport-screeners-see-bomb-like-watch.html )
Sgt J.D. Nelson has appeared on numerous Mythbusters episodes. He is on the Alameda County bomb squad, so he supervises the Mythbusters whenever they go out to the county bomb disposal range to blow stuff up. But it seems that simply being associated with a show devoted to common sense isn't enough for any to rub off on him.
Sgt J.D. Nelson is just another asshole with a badge. Some TSA retard made him and his crew get up out of their chairs to check out a false alarm, and so BY GOD he's not leaving without making someone else's life miserable, too. Hey, how about the weirdo with the funny clothes? He'll do just fine.
random_eddie at November 17, 2012 3:36 PM
This dude has been trying to fight them for years:
https://www.schneier.com/
He is almost effective.
Godel Fishbreath at November 17, 2012 3:46 PM
I'm probably over thinking this, but it occurs to me that if they start arresting and charging people with more serious shit (whether warranted or not), that TSA has more stats on their side re: capturing "terrorists".
Meloni at November 17, 2012 6:04 PM
Hey, good news though guys. The TSA just voted to unionize! I'm sure there will be accountability now!
Sio at November 17, 2012 8:19 PM
Actually, David got the link from me, who got it from Mackey Chandler. As soon as I saw "wires" and "Watch" I figured steampunk.
Of course, no one would ever run a USB cable from their laptop as some kind of trigger.
Michael Z. Williamson at November 18, 2012 9:07 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/11/17/steampunk_art_i.html#comment-3459942">comment from Michael Z. WilliamsonAnd thanks, Michael Z. Williamson.
I've always loved steampunk design, although I just thought of it as "Jules Verne-style" until I read the word "steampunk."
Amy Alkon at November 18, 2012 9:33 AM
Here's more thievery at the airport.
At least it wasn't a TSA goon this time. Then again, the TSA is a minority at the airport. They're just most conspicuous for being stupid.
Radwaste at November 18, 2012 2:48 PM
They should run every employee of TSA and the Alameda County Sheriff's Department through x-ray scanners to see if they can find one with a brain.
Ken R at November 18, 2012 9:11 PM
Geoffrey McGann is free. Charges have been dropped.
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/No-charges-over-weird-watch-at-airport-4050590.php?cmpid=emailarticle&cmpid=emailarticle
He's still out whatever he had to pay to post bond ($150k of bond money doesn't come cheap from the bailbondsmen) plus whatever he's paying his lawyer to get his record expunged. Plus a weekend in jail away from his family.
And Sgt J.D. Nelson is still an idiot and a fascist. http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_22036522/rancho-palos-verdes-artists-bomblike-wristwatch-lands-him
eddie at November 20, 2012 7:39 PM
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