Friday, February 02, 2007

Have the Terrorists Won?

I read once that the object of terrorism is to create terror. Seems to have worked.

Maybe the guys behind the guerrilla ad campaign in Boston were just irresponsible goobers, but maybe the city overreacted.


Turner to pay cost of Boston security scare: report | Top News | Reuters.com
BOSTON (Reuters) - Turner Broadcasting has agreed to pay the full cost -- around $1 million -- of a security alert in Boston triggered by battery-powered cartoon advertising signs for one of its shows, The Boston Globe reported on Friday.

Authorities are investigating the role of U.S. media group, which took out an advertisement in the newspaper on Friday to apologize for Wednesday's daylong security scare triggered by a "guerrilla" marketing campaign.

"We did not intend to perpetrate a hoax," the ad said.

The Globe, quoting Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, said the company would pay costs expected to top $500,000 in Boston and another $500,000 for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and two nearby cities.

Menino was not immediately available to comment.

The 12-inch (30-cm) signs -- a total of 38 across the city under bridges, on storefronts and near busy train stations -- were meant to promote an animated character for an adult-themed show on Turner's Cartoon Network called "Aqua Teen Hunger Force." A movie version is also being produced.

Authorities have charged Sean Stevens, 28, and Peter Berdovsky, 27, in the security alert, Boston's biggest since the September 11 attacks. They pleaded not guilty to charges of placing a hoax device and disorderly conduct.

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