# RO: This is totally going to kill Bring Your Clock to School Day **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 16, 2015, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454 "2015-09-16T08:35:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 65
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1281 "2015-10-08T13:56:15Z")
You still automatically, and erroneously, equate “pulling a fast one” with “negative feelings” on my part. Maybe it would clarify things if I told you that some of my favorite movies are about con artists, or heists. I like Ahmed and his father \*more \*if they pulled a con job here than if he just dumped a clock into a case. I just want to be like “haha, I figured it out–nicely played though!” ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1282 "2015-10-08T14:09:48Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > You still automatically, and erroneously, equate “pulling a fast one” with “negative feelings” on my part. Maybe it would clarify things if I told you that some of my favorite movies are about con artists, or heists. I like Ahmed and his father \*more \*if they pulled a con job here than if he just dumped a clock into a case. I just want to be like “haha, I figured it out–nicely played though!” Well that only changes the type of bias, if it exists, and I’m not sure how one can conclude this or think it likely without some sort of bias, considering the evidence. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1283 "2015-10-08T15:12:52Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Well that only changes the type of bias, if it exists, and I’m not sure how one can conclude this or think it likely without some sort of bias, considering the evidence. I really don’t get this. Look, we can all agree that islamophobia is a big problem, and this clock thing exposed a pretty bad case of it in this suburb. It’s a good thing that this happened, in that the idiocy of the police there is now a matter of public record. They may think twice before being islamophobic assholes in the future. The only question is whether Ahmed exposed this islamophobia on accident by being a bad tinkerer, or on purpose by being a clever prankster. If someone wants to believe the latter, what bias are you accusing them of? ---
**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:** [October 8, 2015, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1284 "2015-10-08T15:15:23Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > The only question is whether Ahmed exposed this islamophobia on accident by being a bad tinkerer, or on purpose by being a clever prankster. If someone wants to believe the latter, what bias are you accusing them of? A bias against evidence based conclusions. Believing it was a prank without any proof other than some vague background on the father. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1285 "2015-10-08T15:22:09Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > A bias against evidence based conclusions. Believing it was a prank without any proof other than some vague background on the father. You mean like assuming Slacker has negative feelings towards Ahmed without any evidence for it? ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1286 "2015-10-08T15:27:32Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > You mean like assuming Slacker has negative feelings towards Ahmed without any evidence for it? Well, except for all his posts in this thread and his 80% certainty based on no articulable evidence that Ahmed is being deceitful. Setting that aside, you have a great point. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2015, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1287 "2015-10-08T15:29:52Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > You mean like assuming Slacker has negative feelings towards Ahmed without any evidence for it? I can see why you would want to make this about Slacker instead of Ahmed. It’s really not going well for you, is it? ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1288 "2015-10-08T15:31:37Z")
Sorry, I stepped out of line. Let me try again. Slacker, you’re an ignorant racist dumbfuck turd. There, carry on with the circle jerk guys. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1289 "2015-10-08T17:32:51Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Hey, Dummy, have you stopped hitting your wife? > > Stop trying to colour the water through association. Good afternoon **Muffin**. How are you on this fine day? How’s life in the meadow? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1290 "2015-10-08T17:43:56Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > Pwah! hyperbole much? Kids were in more danger from [pencils](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21944527) than [this thing](http://www.wired.com/2015/09/heres-bomb-clock-got-ahmed-mohamed-arrested/). > > Really? Was there an evacuation of the school? No. There wasn’t. Seems like they weren’t too concerned. Was the bomb squad called? Nope. > > All the school did was get a kid arrested. None of their actions portray a school thinking it is dealing with an actual threat. No evacuation. No bomb squad. Was there a bomb in the briefcase? No. Was there an unsafe and hazardous device in the briefcase? Yes. Was Ahmed “the clock inventor” told to keep the timing device in the briefcase? Yes. Did Ahmed ignore that instruction and plug the timing device into a 120vac outlet in another classroom? Yes. The school staff’s job is to keep ALL of the students safe. Ignoring the stupid actions of one kid doesn’t make ALL of the other students safe. If you see something, say something. The teacher and principle saw something and they said something. For the safety of ALL the other children. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2015, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1291 "2015-10-08T17:46:26Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Was there an unsafe and hazardous device in the briefcase? Yes. As far as I can tell, you are the only one in America, including the school authorities and police, who think this is significant. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1292 "2015-10-08T17:46:48Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > They failed to do their job and failed to keep the student safe when they had him arrested and run through the station. The school staff’s job is to keep ALL of the students safe. Choosing to ignore the unsafe actions of one stupid kid does not keep ALL of the other students safe. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1293 "2015-10-08T17:47:03Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > If you see something, say something. Unless it’s a minority and it only looks dangerous, then don’t say anything. Best to err on the side of caution and never risk offending anyone. ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1294 "2015-10-08T18:25:43Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > Unless it’s a minority and it only looks dangerous, then don’t say anything. Best to err on the side of caution and never risk offending anyone. If I haven’t previously said so explicitly, I feel it’s entirely appropriate for the teacher to have confiscated the device (as unapproved electronic equipment) and to forward his or her concerns up the management chain (“I don’t know what this thing is, the kid says it’s a clock.”). I feel it was inappropriate for all the adults involved to jump to the conclusion that Ahmed intended it to look like a bomb. Note that all of them knew that it wasn’t actually a bomb, and the police said the only concern was that it was intended to cause a bomb scare. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1295 "2015-10-08T19:30:09Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > Sorry, I stepped out of line. Let me try again. > > Slacker, you’re an ignorant racist dumbfuck turd. > There, carry on with the circle jerk guys. :rolleyes: Heh. Well done. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2015, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1296 "2015-10-09T00:01:07Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Was there an unsafe and hazardous device in the briefcase? Yes. Uh, no. Not unless you have an irrational fear of clocks or electricity. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2015, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1297 "2015-10-16T20:28:54Z")
It seems that Ahmed “the clock inventor” Mohamed has many admirers since Obama made him famous. It pays to have friends in high places. \*The Washington Post - Adam Taylor Texas boy arrested for making a clock meets Sudan’s president, an accused war criminal - According to the Sudan Tribune, Ahmed met with Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir in Khartoum on Wednesday evening. The Paris-based Web site reports that the teenager told reporters that he was “extremely delighted” to meet Bashir and hoped to return to visit the Sudanese president again “with a new invention and success.” However, Bashir is no ordinary world leader. He has an outstanding arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, for example, for allegedly orchestrating genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur. The country he leads is under a variety of U.S. sanctions. His government harbored Osama bin Laden for five years in the 1990s. A leaked U.S. diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks even suggested he may have secretly stolen $9 billion in oil money. [http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/texas-boy-arrested-for-making-a-clock-meets-sudan’s-president-an-accused-war-criminal/ar-AAfvdCQ?li=BBgzzfc](http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/texas-boy-arrested-for-making-a-clock-meets-sudan%e2%80%99s-president-an-accused-war-criminal/ar-AAfvdCQ?li=BBgzzfc) > ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2015, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1298 "2015-10-16T22:00:59Z")
My God… that’s the second-worst President he’s ever met! ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2015, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1299 "2015-10-16T22:21:53Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > My God… that’s the second-worst President he’s ever met! Hmm, Davutoglu is Prime Minister… oh, you mean Sergey Brin? Not sure what his title is. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2015, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454/1300 "2015-10-16T23:58:51Z")
Doorhinge, you do realize, of course, that the he took his clock-bomb to the meeting with Bashir to blow up Bashir, only because it was never a clock-bomb in the first place, the assassination attempt failed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454.md?page=64) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ro-this-is-totally-going-to-kill-bring-your-clock-to-school-day/731454.md?page=66)