The world is going insane

[Ben]

Further proof of global insanity, if anyone needed it:
Arabic T-shirt sparks airport row (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5297822.stm)

(in Spanish here (http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/148084/0/camiseta/arabe/jfk/))

[Pepino]

Well, here's proof that it is technically possible to commit a crime purely by a person's choice of T-Shirt...

http://www.nostalgiacentral.com/images_music/wham_0003.jpg


Would YOU get on a plane with this guy?? ;D

[Marbella]

It seems to me that this man knew exactly what he was doing. He wanted to cause a bit of fuss, be provocative and get publicity. But that's George Michael for you.

[Pepino]

Yup, worked for me in the 80's though. In fact, I think I might be the 4th pair of hands on the left in the pic ;)

I must admit though, I think it's human nature to weigh-up your fellow passengers as you board a flight. Who doesn't do it? Freaking-out about a fairly mild T-Shirt slogan is just stupid though. On a recent flight-from-hell (with a certain Irish airline known for it's 50p flights) I'd have much rather have sat next to the guy in his anti-war T-shirt than the rag-tag collection of scrotes and chavs that I had to share 2 horrific hours of my life with! :mad:

[Brian]

Bizarre proof of the anti-Arab racism that is quite prevalent in a post-9/11 world. Even more bizarre that it happened in the US, where individual freedom is the rallying cry.

[Marbella]

I'd be quite happy if the US government disallowed any kind of anti-war protest in airports or on flights. This has nothing to do with the suppression of freedom-of-speech or anti-Arab racism, I just think there are better, more civilized ways of making your feelings known without being so confrontational. Yes, 9/11 changed the rules of the game.

I'd also add that in England there is very little racism against Arabs that I'm aware of. That's not to say there aren't a few idiots out there who feel like that. Americans would be right wouldn't they if they felt that they were hated by a large majority of the Arab world?

[greytop]

Americans would be right wouldn't they if they felt that they were hated by a large majority of the Arab world?
Can we now ask that American passengers be removed from flights as they may increase the risk of attack for that flight?
The lunatics are running the asylum I fear.

[Marbella]

Can we now ask that American passengers be removed from flights as they may increase the risk of attack for that flight?
The lunatics are running the asylum I fear.

I think if people had told me before 9/11 that one day 2 passenger jets would be crashed into the Twin Towers I'd have thought they were lunatics. I'll have to go against the grain here and say I can understand why airports and airlines are jumpy. I have no sympathy for the t-shirt wearer. Off to Guantanamo with him (joke).

[gary]

I'd be quite happy if the US government disallowed any kind of anti-war protest in airports or on flights. This has nothing to do with the suppression of freedom-of-speech or anti-Arab racism, I just think there are better, more civilized ways of making your feelings known without being so confrontational. Yes, 9/11 changed the rules of the game.

I'd also add that in England there is very little racism against Arabs that I'm aware of. That's not to say there aren't a few idiots out there who feel like that. Americans would be right wouldn't they if they felt that they were hated by a large majority of the Arab world?

You're right - people perceived to be Asian muslims are bearing the brunt of what little reaction there is. For the benefit of our US friends Asian in England means 'of the Indian subcontinent - I am aware that it can mean Japanese/Chinese in the US.


Interesting snippet on the radio today... according to some kind of study in the US it is UK passport holders that pose the greatest threat to Homeland Security - there is some talk of revoking the UK's 3 month visa waver... interesting eh?

[gary]

I think if people had told me before 9/11 that one day 2 passenger jets would be crashed into the Twin Towers I'd have thought they were lunatics. I'll have to go against the grain here and say I can understand why airports and airlines are jumpy. I have no sympathy for the t-shirt wearer. Off to Guantanamo with him (joke).


I watched live on TV as the second plane hit - I was wandering through the lounge and thought it was a feature film. You knew it was definitely one of those defining moments in history, in the same way that I still remember clearly what I was doing when JFK was shot...

[Marbella]

Interesting snippet on the radio today... according to some kind of study in the US it is UK passport holders that pose the greatest threat to Homeland Security - there is some talk of revoking the UK's 3 month visa waver... interesting eh?

I think I heard a similar thing a couple of days ago. 2 million muslim US passport holders but not one terrorist [to date]. For some reason the UK has managed to produce quite a few.

I can see the objection that many have just based on probabilities. The chances of being killed in a terrorist attack in the US or UK is infinitesimally small. A bloke wearing a t-shirt with an anti-war slogan is equally as unlikely to be of any trouble. So why worry? Easy to say if you have no responsibility for security, but, should a bomb go off everyone will be analysing what you did and didn't do and quickly blame you if they can find something you missed. All this talk about free speech is a red herring, it's just about being sensitive and respectful to others. In the name of free speech we've even had to suffer the following protests in London after 7/7 and some unfunny cartoons were published. A step too far I think and an insult to the innocents of all religions and colours but we have to put up with it.

http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/na/archive/00236/behead-t_236581s.jpg

[ValenciaSon]

My cousin lives in Manhattan and her then kindergarten daughter was in a class in which half the parents were killed at the WTC on 9/11.

My wife was working for FEMA at the time in the headquaters building which is about 3 miles away from the Pentagon.

It was chaos in Washington and NY.

[ValenciaSon]

I think I heard a similar thing a couple of days ago. 2 million muslim US passport holders but not one terrorist [to date]. For some reason the UK has managed to produce quite a few.

I can see the objection that many have just based on probabilities. The chances of being killed in a terrorist attack in the US or UK is infinitesimally small. A bloke wearing a t-shirt with an anti-war slogan is equally as unlikely to be of any trouble. So why worry? Easy to say if you have no responsibility for security, but, should a bomb go off everyone will be analysing what you did and didn't do and quickly blame you if they can find something you missed. All this talk about free speech is a red herring, it's just about being sensitive and respectful to others. In the name of free speech we've even had to suffer the following protests in London after 7/7 and some unfunny cartoons were published. A step too far I think and an insult to the innocents of all religions and colours but we have to put up with it.

http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/na/archive/00236/behead-t_236581s.jpg




Free speech is not about being able to yell fire at the movie theater.

[gary]

Would anyone have bothered if the slogan had appeared only in English, I wonder? I suspect not and I honestly dont know what to make of that.I think I agree with Marbella - a calculated publicity stunt.

[Marbella]

My cousin lives in Manhattan and her then kindergarten daughter was in a class in which half the parents were killed at the WTC on 9/11.

My wife was working for FEMA at the time in the headquaters building which is about 3 miles away from the Pentagon.

It was chaos in Washington and NY.

These tragic stories are worth repeating because too many outside of the US have got themselves so wound up about Iraq that they have forgotten 9/11. I'm really sick of America bashers.

[Marbella]

Would anyone have bothered if the slogan had appeared only in English, I wonder? I suspect not and I honestly dont know what to make of that.I think I agree with Marbella - a calculated publicity stunt.

Good point, nobody would have cared I guess. To get back to Ben's original post, it is insane, but we are where we are. Times have changed and there ain't no going back. I don't like ETA but I wouldn't walk through San Sebastian with a 'F**k ETA' slogan on my t-shirt. Apart from the fact that I'm a coward I'd realise that there's no point provoking a reaction from some loony.

[gary]

Good point, nobody would have cared I guess. To get back to Ben's original post, it is insane, but we are where we are. Times have changed and there ain't no going back. I don't like ETA but I wouldn't walk through San Sebastian with a 'F**k ETA' slogan on my t-shirt. Apart from the fact that I'm a coward I'd realise that there's no point provoking a reaction from some loony.


Yes - the guy with the arabic slogan may have been very foolhardy - free speech is one thing but they also have the right to bear arms....

[guapo]

On a recent flight-from-hell (with a certain Irish airline known for it's 50p flights) I'd have much rather have sat next to the guy in his anti-war T-shirt than the rag-tag collection of scrotes and chavs that I had to share 2 horrific hours of my life with! :mad:

Talking of a certain Irish airline, seems they are shortly to allow inflight mobile phone calls (http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1861283,00.html). I can only imagine what will happen when the chav (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chav) sitting next to you plays his crazy frog (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_frog) ringtone for the 100th time. :eek:

In response to concerns that listening to other people's in-flight conversations could have "potential for increased levels of agitation" among passengers, Michael O'Leary (airline boss) responded that he did not care as long as it made money.

¡Buen viaje!

(P.S. ¡Feliz cumpleaños Pepino!)

[Edith]

Yes - the guy with the arabic slogan may have been very foolhardy - free speech is one thing but they also have the right to bear arms....'

When I embark on a flight, I want to cause as little hassle as possible, and this is in my own interest since I do not like the stress of traveling. Why this guy felt the need to put on this particular T-shirt before embarking on a flight sounds like sheer provocation to me. On the other hand, it's true that a mere slogan on a T-shirt doesn't pose any threat to anyone. I believe in tight security measures, but these should benefit us all and not be an excuse for nit-pickers to harass passengers. IMO, it would be much better if every single passenger would be subjected to the same treatment instead of carrying out random searches.

I also resent much of the America-bashing which seems to have become fashionable these days, but I would like to make one critical comment. Having visited the US on several occasions, I have never liked the treatment meted out to visitors by the U.S. authorities. US border personnel can be very gruff and authoritarian. I also hear this complaint among many of my friends and acquaintances who have been to the US. Until recently, they also made you fill out a form in which you are supposed to state that you are not (or have ever been) a member of the Communist Party. Ridiculous! My political opinions (which, BTW, do not lean towards Marxism-Leninism) are my own business!

It's true 9/11 has changed the whole situation, but a real terrorist probably goes out of his way to behave as unobtrusively as possible.

[Edith]

A step too far I think and an insult to the innocents of all religions and colours but we have to put up with it.

http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/na/archive/00236/behead-t_236581s.jpg

I wouldn't mind, though, if they kept a very close tab on those extremists. This is not something which will just go away by itself.

[que]

"Massacre those who insult Islam" - Simply, of course, i dont agree, and they dont do their cause any good.

However, on the original post:

Well, I dont think i really agree with some of the posts. Maybe on some of what is said, but if you step back and think about it, the person had:

"We will not be silent" written on his shirt.

How you interpret it is up to you. But to have been told to take it off? that's a little outrageous.

To me, I simply see the shirt as a statement from those who are effected by the bombings of Arab countries, which effect mostly the innocent citizens who are not directly involved, that they can not be kept quiet by the bombings, and that they are willing to stand up and speak out on the atrocities that go on every day (a kind of unity with others who are effected, as it were). Is it because they are Arab that we assume it means something else? Do all Arabs believe in suicide bombings as a way of dealing with issues they face? Or is that a racist view that is now sadly quite common? (like the two Arab Englishmen who had to be escorted of a plane back from spain the other day because the rest of the passengers were uncomfortable).

"In free countries, every man is entitled to express his opinions and every other man is entitled not to listen." - G. Norman Collie

[Brian]

'

US border personnel can be very gruff and authoritarian. I also hear this complaint among many of my friends and acquaintances who have been to the US. Until recently, they also made you fill out a form in which you are supposed to state that you are not (or have ever been) a member of the Communist Party. Ridiculous! My political opinions (which, BTW, do not lean towards Marxism-Leninism) are my own business!


Until recently, the Communists were viewed as our enemies, so it's understandable.

BTW, it's my understanding that that question is still asked in INS interviews, as well as questions concerning affiliation with certain groups such as the KKK and other terrorist groups.

I've had worse treatment by Spain's border guards at Barajas, to be honest. I'm afraid that being gruff and suspicious naturally comes with the job.

[Valenciano]

I wonder if there are any conspiracies behind any of all this. I reckon someones is feeding fuel to the fire.

As long as there is man on earth, there can never be true peace and the world as it is now, is proof of that.

Oh, by the way I like to watch "24". ;D
I've seen all seasons, season 5 will come out tomorrow in Japan.
Can't wait.

[tom]

Or is that a racist view that is now sadly quite common? (like the two Arab Englishmen who had to be escorted of a plane back from spain the other day because the rest of the passengers were uncomfortable).

yeah... it is racism, pure and simple. I get the feeling that this sort of sentiment is increasing... but I'm not absolutely sure.

[Ben]

I agree. I think it has everything to do with the two Arab Englishmen who got escorted off the plane. That is why I titled this post 'is the world going insane'. Yes we are all scared after 9/11 and similar events in London and Madrid (thanks to our governments' and media's efforts to keep that fear alive and well), but there is obviously a big collective blame thing developing now and being directed at the Muslim population at large (one wonders how much this is being carefully orchestrated by the powers that be, or am I being paranoid???) In any case, it seems to me that it was the lettering in Arabic on the T-shirt that probably caused the problem in this case, rather than the pretty harmless and perfectly reasonable message, and to make the guy take it off is, in my view, madness.

[Marbella]

"Massacre those who insult Islam" - Simply, of course, i dont agree, and they dont do their cause any good.

However, on the original post:

Well, I dont think i really agree with some of the posts. Maybe on some of what is said, but if you step back and think about it, the person had:

"We will not be silent" written on his shirt.

How you interpret it is up to you. But to have been told to take it off? that's a little outrageous.

To me, I simply see the shirt as a statement from those who are effected by the bombings of Arab countries, which effect mostly the innocent citizens who are not directly involved, that they can not be kept quiet by the bombings, and that they are willing to stand up and speak out on the atrocities that go on every day (a kind of unity with others who are effected, as it were). Is it because they are Arab that we assume it means something else? Do all Arabs believe in suicide bombings as a way of dealing with issues they face? Or is that a racist view that is now sadly quite common? (like the two Arab Englishmen who had to be escorted of a plane back from spain the other day because the rest of the passengers were uncomfortable).

"In free countries, every man is entitled to express his opinions and every other man is entitled not to listen." - G. Norman Collie

What you've done is conveniently linked 2 events to scream racist and stifle debate. This is at the detriment of the innocent community on all sides.

On the first, the only issue for me is whether or not it is right to make a protest at an airport or on a flight. I don't think this is appropriate at all and I am glad that good sense prevailed and the individual concerned was asked to cover up the t-shirt and allowed to continue with his journey. After which of course he is free to reveal his protest.

On the second, of course nobody should be ejected from a flight because of their skin colour or the language they speak. If the airline is satisfied that the 2 individuals posed no threat to security then they should be allowed to travel. However, if people cannot tell airline staff that they feel other passengers are behaving suspiciously without being accused of racism then that in itself is a dangerous suppression of freedom. When the 'shoe bomber' was trying to set light to the explosives in his trainers on a flight he was stopped from doing so because other passengers spotted him and overpowered him. Racist?

[Edith]

I'm afraid that being gruff and suspicious naturally comes with the job.

Not necessarily. Why is it that I have never had these problems in Canada, or in England for that matter?

I remember going to the British Museum and there was this elderly security guard who asked me to hand over my small rucksack to inspect it. This guy was so friendly and polite. Upon discovering a can of Guinness, he told me I should try another variety of Guinness next time because this one, frankly, was no good in his opinion! He was all smiles. So we had a nice friendly chat while he did his job, i.e. going through my belongings. Why can't it be this way everywhere?

[tom]

the only issue for me is whether or not it is right to make a protest at an airport or on a flight. I don't think this is appropriate at all and I am glad that good sense prevailed and the individual concerned was asked to cover up the t-shirt and allowed to continue with his journey. After which of course he is free to reveal his protest

Marbella, I'm interested in knowing why it's inappropriate to protest (or wear a t-shirt with a protest slogan) in an airport. What changes occur when I walk through the rotating doors that mean I'm no longer entitled to freedom of expression? Should this apply in bus stations too? What if I, a young white male, was wearing the t-shirt? What if I was wearing a militant Basque or Catalanista shirt?

The problem for me is that there doesn't seem to be any hard and fast rule here...

[Brian]

The problem for me is that there doesn't seem to be any hard and fast rule here...

True, true. It's all very much a new world that we live in, and while it's important not to engage in racial profiling, it's also important to ensure the security of innocent people.

I'm all about freedom of expression, so long as your expression is appropriate, decent, and doesn't infringe upon the rights of others. In this instance, the t-shirt's message was misunderstood by American travelers-- they perceived it as a threat, whereas it apparently had no meaning for Americans. I must say that I can't blame the American passengers for being concerned. We're all a little jumpy after 9/11 and 3/11.

[Brian]

Not necessarily. Why is it that I have never had these problems in Canada, or in England for that matter?



I can't answer for your experience. I'm only drawing from mine.

As we often say here, it's dangerous to generalize.

[guapo]

I remember going to the British Museum and there was this elderly security guard who asked me to hand over my small rucksack to inspect it. This guy was so friendly and polite. Upon discovering a can of Guinness, he told me I should try another variety of Guinness next time because this one, frankly, was no good in his opinion! He was all smiles. So we had a nice friendly chat while he did his job, i.e. going through my belongings. Why can't it be this way everywhere?

Drinking Guinness from a can Edith? - defintely sounds like suspicious behaviour to me ;D

Whilst I agree, it costs nothing to be friendly, I sure would not want to be working at an airport and dealing with the public in this period.

[Brian]

Whilst I agree, it costs nothing to be friendly, I sure would not want to be working at an airport and dealing with the public in this period.

I think that you've put it quite well. I'm certain that those workers have very stressful jobs in these days.

[catavino]

المملكة العربية السعودية

Don't' worry this text only means "Saudi Arabia", though I do strongly feel that the Arabic text is now becoming overly associated with "terrorism".

I'm all about freedom of expression, so long as your expression is appropriate, decent, and doesn't infringe upon the rights of others. In this instance, the t-shirt's message was misunderstood by American travelers-- they perceived it as a threat, whereas it apparently had no meaning for Americans. I must say that I can't blame the American passengers for being concerned. We're all a little jumpy after 9/11 and 3/11.

The problem is Brian, no one should be told what appropriate "expression" is. Your appropriate is another's inappropriate. Would we kick off the guy with a shirt that had the confederate flag on it and wording " The south will rise again!" - If I was African American I think I could say safely, that this was a "terrorist" provocation.

What if the shirt said Peace, not in English but Arabic with no explanation?

No bomber by the way is getting on a plane with a shirt in Arabic! This was not a situation of "playing it safe", this was a case of censorship. If the airline had stood up and said there is no problem, maybe they could have helped to show people that the world cannot deal with this kind of silliness.

I have a sad confession, the other day in an Internet cafe an man sat down next to me. When I happened to glance at his monitor, all I saw was Arabic. For a brief moment not fear, but apprehension came over me. I quickly felt disgusted with myself. Terrorist? In Terrassa? Planning the overthrow of the world? I felt sick, and ashamed. I thought I was smarter than that, and fortunately I am smart enough to learn from this mistake. But I realized that the media is getting to me too.

This silly "War on Terror" is making people freak out, act ridiculous and react in inappropriate ways. Terror is bad and is a tool of fanaticism. By instilling terror in the citizenry you hand the medal to the bad guys. Leave terror to the terrorists. Smile, ask questions, watch carefully, but don't support intolerance. You learn a lot more about a person by asking questions rather than making assumptions.

a side note:

The US customs(I'm a US citizen) terrify me. Guilty till proven innocent seems to be the mantra. I had an American friend who lives here in Spain recently go home. When they asked why she was in Spain she said to live there, with her Spanish husband. They continued to ask her "why don't you live here"? She was dumbfounded, who cares why I live there, "let me into my country" she said. At this point they actually asked her if she didn't love her country! Needless to say she was shocked!

Ryan

[Marbella]

Marbella, I'm interested in knowing why it's inappropriate to protest (or wear a t-shirt with a protest slogan) in an airport. What changes occur when I walk through the rotating doors that mean I'm no longer entitled to freedom of expression? Should this apply in bus stations too? What if I, a young white male, was wearing the t-shirt? What if I was wearing a militant Basque or Catalanista shirt?

The problem for me is that there doesn't seem to be any hard and fast rule here...

Well clearly in your world (which isn't quite real) and catavino's, anything goes. Say what you want, to whom you want in the way that you want, whenever you want. I just don't agree that this is an intelligent or civilised way forward.

If a man feels that it is ok to have sex with children but doesn't actually commit the crime then we can't do much about him holding that view. But if he puts that view on a t-shirt and stands outside a school presumably you would argue that he should be free to express himself?

Wearing a militant Basque t-shirt in public would make you a fool. If you felt that the route to Basque independence is to kill innocent Spaniards then by all means hold that view in private but it would be insulting to millions to see you display that view on a t-shirt in public.

I have strong opinions but I don't need to walk down the high street or through an airport with it emblazoned across my t-shirt. If you know that airport staff are going to be jumpy why wear an anti-war t-shirt when boarding a flight? Well it's obvious why - you want to get a strong reaction.

[tom]

My unreal world has fallen to pieces!

Honestly, I think some people will take offence at every possible opportunity. So it's stupid? So it doesn't matter.

[Marbella]

My unreal world has fallen to pieces!

Honestly, I think some people will take offence at every possible opportunity. So it's stupid? So it doesn't matter.

I couldn't agree more, there's always someone who will take offence and I certainly don't believe that one should tip-toe around afraid to express an opinion. However, there is a time and a place for protest and I just don't feel that with 9/11 and the alleged attempt to blow a few planes out of the sky a few weeks ago, it is sensible to aggravate security at an airport with that shirt. Nuff said.

[catavino]

Well clearly in your world (which isn't quite real) and catavino's, anything goes. Say what you want, to whom you want in the way that you want, whenever you want. I just don't agree that this is an intelligent or civilised way forward.

If a man feels that it is ok to have sex with children but doesn't actually commit the crime then we can't do much about him holding that view. But if he puts that view on a t-shirt and stands outside a school presumably you would argue that he should be free to express himself?

Wearing a militant Basque t-shirt in public would make you a fool. If you felt that the route to Basque independence is to kill innocent Spaniards then by all means hold that view in private but it would be insulting to millions to see you display that view on a t-shirt in public.

I have strong opinions but I don't need to walk down the high street or through an airport with it emblazoned across my t-shirt. If you know that airport staff are going to be jumpy why wear an anti-war t-shirt when boarding a flight? Well it's obvious why - you want to get a strong reaction.

If someone was dumb enough to walk down the street in Bilbao with a anti ETA shirt, don´t let me stop them. Bad choice, yes, my choice no.

Also please don't put words in my mouth, I would not argue for your supposed child molester. Nor would the school officials, parents or probably most of the kids. This would be a amoral action, and I don't know how the wearing of a shirt that expresses your non-violent beliefs can be found to be amoral and on the level with child abuse.

Why is an anti war shirt so feared, seems to be the one sensible thing to believe in as a human being. Whether a war is necessary or not, does not take away from the fact that NO ONE likes it. Saying they don´t like it in any language should be something that we should all herald.

As far as my "unreal" world view, well we are living in unreal times.

[gary]

It obviously had the desired effect - publicity

People are talking about it

Under the circumstances it was probably not wise and certainly not considerate.

the guy is either an idiot or a twat - take your pick

[Marbella]

If someone was dumb enough to walk down the street in Bilbao with a anti ETA shirt, don´t let me stop them. Bad choice, yes, my choice no.

Also please don't put words in my mouth, I would not argue for your supposed child molester. Nor would the school officials, parents or probably most of the kids. This would be a amoral action, and I don't know how the wearing of a shirt that expresses your non-violent beliefs can be found to be amoral and on the level with child abuse.

Why is an anti war shirt so feared, seems to be the one sensible thing to believe in as a human being. Whether a war is necessary or not, does not take away from the fact that NO ONE likes it. Saying they don´t like it in any language should be something that we should all herald.

As far as my "unreal" world view, well we are living in unreal times.

Ummm...


The problem is Brian, no one should be told what appropriate "expression" is. Your appropriate is another's inappropriate

But we quickly found an exception to your rule. Any others?

[Edith]

I can't answer for your experience. I'm only drawing from mine.

As we often say here, it's dangerous to generalize.

Of course. One of the security ladies at the Library of Congress (which I visited a couple of years ago) was very nice actually. She had to go trough my stuff on the way out. She was very interested in the books I had bought that morning and we had a nice little chat which I still remember. She was black and we both happened to be interested in Native Americans!

The unfriendliness I experienced in the US was mainly at the border and not in the country itself. In my experience, some of these customs officers could do with some specialized training course in dealing with people. But then again, I remember some very nasty Belgian customs officers who made us empty the entire contents of of our car trunk on the sidewalk when we (me and my parents) were on our way to France about forty years ago! :rolleyes: Perhaps customs officials (although I don't want to generalize here) are not always the most open-minded people to begin with...

[Edith]

Drinking Guinness from a can Edith? - defintely sounds like suspicious behaviour to me ;D

Whilst I agree, it costs nothing to be friendly, I sure would not want to be working at an airport and dealing with the public in this period.

LOL, that security guy at the British Museum was so funny!

A young friend of mine worked as a security guard at Schiphol Airport until last year. He said - and he is Dutch himself - that the Dutch are the worst of the lot. :blush: They don't wait their turn and some even get verbally aggressive if something bothers them.

[Brian]

the guy is either an idiot or a twat - take your pick

We have to choose? ;D

[gary]

I remember coming back from a ski-holiday through British customs in 1972 with a broken ankle. I declared jokingly that I had 10 pounds of pot. I was made to empty my entire suitcase as a sort of pennance for being cheeky. I was just grateful they spared me the rubber gloves!!

[gary]

We have to choose? ;D
you're right, both probably apply in equal measure

[Ben]

An interesting take on these troubled times: http://www.bombornot.com/ ;)

[Edith]

Bomb - Not A Bomb - Submit Complaint

How about Open Up Bottle And Drink Up Contents? ;D

[ogando]

The other night on ABC television they had a 2 hour show called 20/20 with much death and destruction to attract summertime viewers. The theme was the 10 most likely ways the earth or all its human inhabitants might be destroyed. Global warming, of course, took the lead but being hit by a speeding asteroid was high on the list. In the animation of of the earth's destruction the asteroid was shown landing directly on Cuba.
Old feuds die hard.