# How Did A Cartoon Terrorize Boston? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 1, 2007, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401 "2007-02-01T12:00:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/1 "2007-02-01T12:00:42Z")
I don’t understand how the illegal posting of maybe 20 electronic signs displaying digitzed cartoon characters (some allegedly giving people the finger) could have caused such panic in Boston. Any Bostonian SDopers wish to explain? Refer to this link for the news story. [http://wjz.com/topstories/topstories\_story\_031145356.html](http://wjz.com/topstories/topstories_story_031145356.html) - Jinx ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/2 "2007-02-01T12:02:25Z")
There’s a [thread on it in the Pit](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=406497) that might prove educational. ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/3 "2007-02-01T12:32:30Z")
[QUOTE=Ferret Herder] There’s a [thread on it in the Pit](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=406497) that might prove educational. [/QUOTE] Thanks for the link! What is most amazing is that these same signs appeared in ten major cities across the US, and only Boston took notice! So, what does that say about this kind of shock-culture advertising? I wager if the signs weren’t flipping the bird, no one would have paid them any attention whatsoever. Even more amazing, how did these things go up so fast overnight? What was their power source? Solar, perhaps? (Maybe an LED sign board doesn’t drain the trickle-charged battery much?) Anyway, not only should the “irresponsible” parties be sued for improper use of public property (without permits), but I’d love to meet the masterminds behind this: the managers who weren’t bogged down in paperwork to move on this AND their PEs who stamped drawings (foir installs in up to 10 States) on how to support these things on bridges and overhangs, etc., without public endangerment. What fly-by-night mounting did they use? Bubble gum and duct tape? I am surprised because I’ve never known a fielding job like this to mobilize equipment, materials, and manpower move so swiftly! Hmm, maybe this should be marveled as an engineering feat! 😃 - Jinx ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/4 "2007-02-01T12:55:58Z")
I don’t know, but the whole thing is surreal. When you allow the Aqua Teen Hunger Force to invade your city, the terrorists have already won. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/5 "2007-02-01T12:57:57Z")
The same way a cartoon terrorized South Park last night! ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/6 "2007-02-01T12:58:16Z")
[QUOTE=Jinx] What was their power source? [/QUOTE] [Four D-cells connected in series](http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanderlin/tags/aquateenhungerforce/) with photosensitive circuitry to automatically turn them off during daylight hours. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/7 "2007-02-01T15:11:14Z")
[QUOTE=neutron star] [Four D-cells connected in series](http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanderlin/tags/aquateenhungerforce/) with photosensitive circuitry to automatically turn them off during daylight hours. [/QUOTE] You know how they say that “nerds will rule the earth some day”? Take note, jocks and preppies. It’s here. ---
**Author:** ![muttrox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a8b319/32.png) [@muttrox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muttrox)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/8 "2007-02-01T15:29:58Z")
I don’t see where there was panic, or terror. Just because anti-terrorism teams and techniques were employed doesn’t mean that the city turned into a raging vat of anarchy and fear. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/9 "2007-02-01T15:31:50Z")
I hope those arrested get charged with the correct crime. Littering. I also hope that Aqua Teen Hunger Force is replaced with something good. ---
**Author:** ![ZomZom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zomzom/32/5620_2.png) [@ZomZom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZomZom)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/10 "2007-02-01T15:46:30Z")
[Here’s](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doD_VpT_yAY) a video of the devices being manufactured and deposited around the city. Lots of stupidity to go around, IMHO. At a minimum, Time Warner should have labeled the devices as to their identity and purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/11 "2007-02-01T17:16:54Z")
I await copycat devices soon to be posted across America. What I do not wait for is a copycat device made by some deranged fool that will actually harm someone. ---
**Author:** ![Nicest\_of\_the\_Damned](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8baadc/32.png) [@Nicest\_of\_the\_Damned](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nicest_of_the_Damned)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/12 "2007-02-01T20:13:06Z")
[QUOTE=muttrox] I don’t see where there was panic, or terror. Just because anti-terrorism teams and techniques were employed doesn’t mean that the city turned into a raging vat of anarchy and fear. [/QUOTE] As I mentioned in the other thread, this is very true. I didn’t see anyone panic. A lot of people had a slow commute. Probably businesses lost some money over it, which is unfortunate but hardly devastating for one day. And of course it cost the city a lot of money. I am not a huge fan of everyone in my government, but I don’t know if it is fair to be so harsh on them for being cautious given the world we live in today. It takes time to get the facts in these situations. They did what they felt they had to to keep the public safe until it could be absolutely determined that there was no threat. A lot of people are mocking the government and law enforcement here for their reaction, but I was curious if anyone with any relevant credentials has gone on record as saying this was handled poorly. Several people have claimed it should have been obvious that these “devices” could not be dangerous. Has an expert anywhere backed this up? Would it really even be possible to say that absolutely? And even if the devices were harmless, couldn’t it still be part of a larger plot to distract or confuse emergency workers while the bad guys are off doing something somewhere else? ---
**Author:** ![St.Urho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/13 "2007-02-01T20:21:04Z")
Exactly. Someone called and reported a suspicious item. The appropriate people were called in and did their job. Now, I’m not on the bomb squad, but I do work in emergency services and that’s pretty much how I’d expect it to be handled. I’ve seen similar incidents handled in a similar fashion where I work. St. Urho Paramedic ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/14 "2007-02-01T20:28:23Z")
Here in Philly, the response was for people to take the signs and sell them on EBay. Out of more than 30 posted signs, police have found only one. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/15 "2007-02-01T20:31:14Z")
[QUOTE=DocCathode] Here in Philly, the response was for people to take the signs and sell them on EBay. Out of more than 30 posted signs, police have found only one. [/QUOTE] Now _there’s_ a calm, rational response. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/16 "2007-02-01T20:39:43Z")
I just hope people are watching, because they are doing it as hard as they can. ---
**Author:** ![Nicest\_of\_the\_Damned](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8baadc/32.png) [@Nicest\_of\_the\_Damned](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nicest_of_the_Damned)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/17 "2007-02-01T20:44:36Z")
I am also curious who decided where exactly the signs would go. It sounds like they hired people in each city to put the signs up. It could be that they left it to their discretion where they went. It is possible these guys put them in more suspicious and less accessible places than people in other cities did. If you watch that video of the signs being placed, they are using a long stick to put them up. Putting the signs up high would mean that the signs would probably stay up longer (since they are harder to get down), and it would be harder to determine what it actually was since no one would be able to get a close look at it. I heard of one sign in Boston that had been taken as a souvenir, but it was apparently just stuck at eye level on the side of a building. ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/18 "2007-02-01T21:09:35Z")
[QUOTE=DocCathode] Here in Philly, the response was for people to take the signs and sell them on EBay. Out of more than 30 posted signs, police have found only one. [/QUOTE] I’m so very proud of my home city, and will certainly be calling a friend from Boston and mocking her over this tonight. I personally don’t understand how “Hey, someone put some blinking LEDs up there” become “Oh god it’s a bomb call 911 the terrorists are coming OMG!!1”. Seriously, what was that first call to the authorities: “Hello, police? I don’t understand something electrical I can see, will you please send out the bomb squad?” ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2007, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/19 "2007-02-01T22:52:25Z")
So is it now SOP for police, bomb squads and the FBI to respond to every call regarding a piece of electronics who’s function I cannot guess? Seriously, this is GQ. Is it now acceptable to the police, in a world where electronics are ubiquitous, for the bomb squad to be alerted every time somebody sees wires, batteries, and LEDs in an odd configuration? I would think you would need something more to suspect explosives. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2007, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401/20 "2007-02-02T01:51:01Z")
If the reaction in Boston had been mirrored in other cities, one would have trouble finding fault. The fact that only in Boston was this considered a potential terrorist attack shows that somewhere along the line in Boston, rational thinking was not employed. Not too surprising in the post 9/11/01 environment, unfortunately. ☹ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-a-cartoon-terrorize-boston/390401.md?page=2)