# Anyone else's BS-o-meter going off? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 10, 2006, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-o-meter-going-off/368159 "2006-08-10T14:58:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-o-meter-going-off/368159/101 "2006-08-16T16:56:54Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] Well guess what - “emergency” on plane from London to Washington, diverted to Boston. Three arrested; early reports here include a woman armed with a screwdriver bearing a note about Al Qaeda. Anyone still think it’s BS? [/QUOTE] Mostly false, according to AP: [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060816/ap\_on\_re\_us/flight\_diverted](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060816/ap_on_re_us/flight_diverted) [Quote=Associated Press] The federal security official said there was no indication of terrorism and denied reports that the woman had a screw driver, matches and a note referring to al-Qaida. The female passenger aboard United Flight 923 said she was claustrophobic and became very upset and got into some kind of confrontation with the flight crew, said George Naccara, federal security director for the Transportation Security Administration for Massachusetts’ airport. [/Quote] I know it’s very tempting to grab onto breaking news reports to buttress one’s case around here, but initial reports are quite often spectacularly wrong, as in the recent flap concerning the guys with the vanload of cell phones. Note that I’m not suggesting that this renders the UK terror plot bogus, simply that this particular case shows to what degree sheer hysteria seems to have taken hold on both sides of the Atlantic. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-o-meter-going-off/368159/102 "2006-08-16T17:00:45Z")
There is an ongoing pit thread on this. I think its still too early to tell WHAT exactly happened on that plane. Lots of unanswered questions there and conflicting stories. -XT ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-o-meter-going-off/368159/103 "2006-08-16T17:03:48Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] It will turn out to be another over-reaction. I predict she will never be convicted on terrorism charges. [/QUOTE] And I predict that you won’t give me a straight answer to the question I put to you in post #94. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-o-meter-going-off/368159/104 "2006-08-16T18:25:20Z")
[QUOTE=tomndebb] It is really not a good idea to make broad insulting swipes at people (several of whom are not even participating in this thread) in this Forum. [/quote] Duly noted. _Mea culpas_ all around. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-o-meter-going-off/368159/105 "2006-08-16T18:34:05Z")
[QUOTE=LonesomePolecat] And I predict that you won’t give me a straight answer to the question I put to you in post #94. [/QUOTE] And I predict you won’t accept as straight any answer I might give. Considering your posts #85, #87 & #89 , I don’t see you deserve any answer at all. ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-o-meter-going-off/368159/106 "2006-08-16T19:27:12Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] And I predict you won’t accept as straight any answer I might give. Considering your posts #85, #87 & #89 , I don’t see you deserve any answer at all. [/QUOTE] I think your refusal to answer has more to do with the fact that you realize you’ve painted yourself into a corner. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-o-meter-going-off/368159/107 "2006-08-16T19:44:19Z")
As noted in the Pit: > **[ThinkProgress](https://thinkprogress.org/)** > [@](#): > > During a Fox News discussion on the diversion of a United Airlines flight because of an “unruly” female passenger, former Weekly Standard deputy publisher David Bass said, “She’s probably not an al Qaeda affiliate, probably not a terrorist, could just be a Ned Lamont supporter, we don’t know.” Offered without comment, none being needed. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-o-meter-going-off/368159/108 "2006-08-16T20:01:56Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] As noted in the Pit: > **[ThinkProgress](https://thinkprogress.org/)** Offered without comment, none being needed. [/QUOTE] Why not comment? It’s pretty common in those types of interviews for these guys to take good-natured jabs at their political adversaries. I’ve seen both sides do it a lot, and it seems like harmless fun. I’d say odds are at least even that it was a joke. BFD. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-o-meter-going-off/368159/109 "2006-08-16T20:16:20Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] Offered without comment, none being needed. [/QUOTE] Have to agree with John Mace…sounds like one of those ‘joke’ things. If you give me a few I’ll see if I can find a definition of ‘humor’ for you and maybe post a cite describing it in detail. I’m sure Wiki has SOMETHING on the subject… 😛 -XT ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-o-meter-going-off/368159/110 "2006-08-16T20:41:24Z")
[QUOTE=xtisme] Have to agree with John Mace…sounds like one of those ‘joke’ things. [/QUOTE] Well then, let’s ram some chemlights up their collective asses and call that a joke too! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-o-meter-going-off/368159/111 "2006-08-16T20:44:53Z")
Hey, sounds like a plan to me! I’ll get the lights and leave the cramming up to you though…I have a delicate stomach! 😛 -XT ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2006, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-o-meter-going-off/368159/112 "2006-08-16T21:28:37Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] The Brits can hold someone for something like 28 days w/o charging them while in the US you get 48 hours. [/QUOTE] unless, of course, they’re enemy combatants/potential terrorists. 😉 You know **LonesomePolecat** , I’m not a rabid Bush-hater. I actually think he’s brilliant. But he has shortcomings that have caused me to be suspicious of his every intention. Hell, he might one day help a little old lady across the street just to be a good guy, but he’s been so careless with his credibility that I have trouble not looking for ulterior motives in the most benign of his, and by extension his cabinet’s, actions. **The spirit of the OP** was directed more at the administration’s manipulation of data and careful press-releases in attempts to gain popular support. Similar, albeit more aggressive, approaches have been used in the past (I declare myself Godwin-free as the thread has already fallen) to great effect. In short, it is hard to accept ANY media release at face value which supports any contentious aspect of the current administration. There is quite clearly _disorder in the house_, but it only bothers about half of the nation. I happen to be in the half that is bothered by what it thinks it sees. Half of us may be paranoid, sure. Or we may be right. But at the very least, half of us have serious concerns that are completely un addressed by the leadership we failed to vote out of office. ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-o-meter-going-off/368159/113 "2006-08-17T12:13:37Z")
[QUOTE=Inigo MontoyaYou know **LonesomePolecat** , I’m not a rabid Bush-hater. I actually think he’s brilliant. But he has shortcomings that have caused me to be suspicious of his every intention. Hell, he might one day help a little old lady across the street just to be a good guy, but he’s been so careless with his credibility that I have trouble not looking for ulterior motives in the most benign of his, and by extension his cabinet’s, actions. **The spirit of the OP** was directed more at the administration’s manipulation of data and careful press-releases in attempts to gain popular support. Similar, albeit more aggressive, approaches have been used in the past (I declare myself Godwin-free as the thread has already fallen) to great effect. In short, it is hard to accept ANY media release at face value which supports any contentious aspect of the current administration. There is quite clearly _disorder in the house_, but it only bothers about half of the nation. I happen to be in the half that is bothered by what it thinks it sees. Half of us may be paranoid, sure. Or we may be right. But at the very least, half of us have serious concerns that are completely un addressed by the leadership we failed to vote out of office.[/QUOTE] Ingo, I don’t have a very high opinion of Bush myself. He seems to me a mediocrity who’s in over his head, a man too small for the job. Moreover, he continually confuses the political and economic interests of his social class with the interests of the country as a whole. He helped to gut the bankruptcy laws, he shifted more of the tax burden towards working people and away from the rich, he has shown utter indifference to illegal immigration – the list just goes on and on. This is why it pisses me off when people like Fear Itself try to dismiss me as someone who brainlessly believes Bush no matter what. But when people hate and fear Bush so much that they simply refuse to believe anything he says even when the evidence clearly supports him, when they talk about Bush as though he was the greatest figure of evil since Stalin, then I simply can’t see any point in listening them. When lefties see plots or conspiracies in everything the White House says or does, they make it very hard for me to take them seriously. Many on the right showed the same kind of rabid hatred towards Clinton. They did a lot of damage to the country too. I don’t doubt the White House tried to put a spin on events, but that’s just politics as usual. Anyone sitting in the Oval Office would have tried to do the same. If you think Kerry or Gore wouldn’t have tried to use such a thing for his own political advantage, you’re being more than a little naive. Any media release by any politician should be treated with great caution. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2006, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-o-meter-going-off/368159/114 "2006-08-21T04:16:59Z")
[Airline chief: ‘Terror leaders laughing in their caves’](http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1215582006) > [@](#): > > TERRORISTS are “rolling around the caves of Pakistan, laughing” at Britain’s response to the terror threat, an airline boss said last night as he gave the government a seven-day deadline to relax restrictions or face legal action. > > Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary described some of the security measures as “farcical, Keystone Kops-like and completely insane and ineffectual”. > … > Banning items such as water bottles and toothpaste was “nuts” and the terrorists “must be rolling around the caves of Pakistan, laughing”. He said it was “complete horse manure” to infer that passengers either faced delays or death. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2006, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-o-meter-going-off/368159/115 "2006-08-21T04:28:36Z")
I wonder if he has a cite to back that up though… 😛 -XT ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2006, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-o-meter-going-off/368159/116 "2006-08-21T16:41:57Z")
[Police hit out at FBI over leaks](http://observer.guardian.co.uk/politics/story/0,,1854503,00.html) > [@](#): > > Anti-terror police in Britain have made an angry request to their US counterparts asking them to stop leaking details of this month’s suspected bomb plot over fears that it could jeopardise the chances of a successful prosecution and hamper the gathering of evidence. > > The British security services, MI5 and MI6, are understood to be dismayed that a number of sensitive details surrounding the alleged plot - including an FBI estimate that as many as 50 people were involved - were leaked to the media. > > FBI sources confirmed to The Observer that the bureau had been ordered to stop briefing at the request of the British authorities. ‘The shutters have come down,’ a bureau source said. ‘We have been told not to discuss the case any more.’ ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2006, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-o-meter-going-off/368159/117 "2006-08-21T17:23:16Z")
[QUOTE=xtisme] I wonder if he has a cite to back that up though… 😛 -XT [/QUOTE] And it better be from a peer-reviewed journal, too! 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-elses-bs-o-meter-going-off/368159.md?page=5)