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-   -   Do terrorists *really* sing along to the lyrics? (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-security-issues/544722-do-terrorists-really-sing-along-lyrics.html)

grahamb Apr 5, 2006 6:58 am
Do terrorists *really* sing along to the lyrics?
 
This story from Reuters is a classic.

Detectives halted the London-bound flight at Durham Tees Valley Airport and Harraj Mann, 24, was taken off.
The reason for taking him off for questioning:

The taxi driver had become worried on the way to the airport because Mann had been singing along to The Clash's 1979 anthem "London Calling," which features the lyrics "Now war is declared -- and battle come down" while other lines warn of a "meltdown expected".
Maybe that band from Florida is right - the UK is a dangerous hotbed of terrorists singing along in the taxi... :eek: :rolleyes:

LostInAmerica Apr 5, 2006 7:36 am
I believe this technique for spotting evildoers is outlined in chapter 3 of the "How To Identify a Terrorist" handbook.

exerda Apr 5, 2006 8:48 am
Let us hope DHS does not take notice of this wonderful new mechanism for detecting terrorists. :eek:

HeHateY Apr 5, 2006 12:38 pm
And the Sun is there!!
 
Clash songs are dangerous, citizen!!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006150569,00.html

Harraj, 24, is the SECOND man to be quizzed because of lyrics written by the punk band.

In 2004 Mike Devine, 35, was arrested after the Special Branch intercepted an innocent text message about the song Tommy Gun.

It contains the words “gun” and “jet airliner”.

Wally Bird Apr 5, 2006 2:18 pm
"He didn't like Led Zeppelin or The Clash but I don't think there was any need to tell the police," Mann told the Daily Mirror. :D :D

A Durham police spokeswoman said ... "The report was made with the best of intentions and we wouldn't want to discourage people from contacting us with genuine concerns," she said. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Threat assessment, officer, threat assessment. @:-)

dizzy Apr 5, 2006 5:30 pm
Great-so we already have the thought police now we're going to get the song police.

No more singing REM's End of the World

FWAAA Apr 5, 2006 6:08 pm
While I'm saddened and disheartened by the moronic thought processes behind such infantile reactions by police and other authorities, it is nice to see that USA-based officials hold no monopoly on such moronic, infantile reactions to non-threats. :)

Wally Bird Apr 6, 2006 9:29 am
Originally Posted by FWAAA
While I'm saddened and disheartened by the moronic thought processes behind such infantile reactions by police and other authorities, it is nice to see that USA-based officials hold no monopoly on such moronic, infantile reactions to non-threats. :)
The Durham County Constabulary aren't exactly in the frontline of the wah on terrah :p.

I'd like to think that the Met would have treated this with an appropriate (non-)response.

lecter Apr 6, 2006 10:07 am
Guns guns a-shaking in terror
Guns guns killing in error
Guns guns guilty hands
Guns guns shatter the lands

:)

Flaflyer Apr 6, 2006 11:37 am
Not Sure
 
Originally Posted by Wally Bird
The Durham County Constabulary aren't exactly in the frontline of the wah on terrah :p.
It would not surprise me if The Durham County Constabulary have been conducting Anti-Phantom-Terrorist-Behind-Every-Bush joint exercises with their counterparts from Dillingham, Alaska. :D

Or did someone clone Barney Fife and get one hired at every small town PD in the world? :D


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