# The Flying Morons - another plane delayed by a fucking idiot **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 7, 2016, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219 "2016-05-07T20:51:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 27
**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:** [May 30, 2016, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/521 "2016-05-30T03:56:23Z")
I doubt if I am on any. I have not flown since then, but I have driven across the border half a dozen times or more without problem. ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/522 "2016-05-30T12:18:52Z")
Just for the record: > [@Chimera](#): > > but he was **brown**!!! > > ☹ > [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > She’s already given her side of the story; > > She saw a brown man doing math on an airplane and this made her scared. She reported it because she thought the brown man doing math must be doing something bad. > [@Muffin](#): > > The one thing the moron remembered from school was that “the pen is mightier than the sword,” so when she saw a brown person writing . . . Sorry to take your strawman away, [but the guy wasn’t brown](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/05/07/19/33EE98EB00000578-3578751-Italian_economist_and_Ivy_League_professor_Guido_Menzio_was_kick-m-15_1462646670096.jpg). He was of white European descent. He doesn’t even have a decent tan. Your stereotypical redneck is browner than this guy. The question is, why are you guys so quick to believe the man has brown skin? ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/523 "2016-05-30T12:50:43Z")
> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#): > > Just for the record: > > Sorry to take your strawman away, [but the guy wasn’t brown](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/05/07/19/33EE98EB00000578-3578751-Italian_economist_and_Ivy_League_professor_Guido_Menzio_was_kick-m-15_1462646670096.jpg). He was of white European descent. He doesn’t even have a decent tan. Your stereotypical redneck is browner than this guy. > > The question is, why are you guys so quick to believe the man has brown skin? He’s as brown as many Middle Easterners. To the trained eye of the US Moron, that’s Terrorist Brown. Brown curly hair, beard, Al-gebra? Yep, terrorist. Check, check and check. Next thing you’ll tell us is that black people aren’t really black… ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/524 "2016-05-30T13:20:47Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > He’s as brown as many Middle Easterners. To the trained eye of the US Moron, that’s Terrorist Brown. Brown curly hair, beard, Al-gebra? Yep, terrorist. Check, check and check. > > Next thing you’ll tell us is that black people aren’t really black… You’ve got to be joking. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/525 "2016-05-30T13:24:28Z")
The majority of Arabs, Persians, Turks, and other people of the Middle East are pretty much that degree of brown. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/526 "2016-05-30T13:25:53Z")
> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#): > > Just for the record: > > Sorry to take your strawman away, [but the guy wasn’t brown](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/05/07/19/33EE98EB00000578-3578751-Italian_economist_and_Ivy_League_professor_Guido_Menzio_was_kick-m-15_1462646670096.jpg). He’s easily dark skinned enough to be confused for someone from the middle east: [![](http://static.emol.cl/emol50/Fotos/2016/05/07/file_20160507162001.jpg) ](http://static.emol.cl/emol50/Fotos/2016/05/07/file_20160507162001.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/527 "2016-05-30T14:43:06Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > The majority of Arabs, Persians, Turks, and other people of the Middle East are pretty much that degree of brown. “Pretty much that degree of brown” would probably cover 95% of humans. > [@Gary\_Kumquat](#): > > He’s easily dark skinned enough to be confused for someone from the middle east: > > [http://static.emol.cl/emol50/Fotos/2016/05/07/file\_20160507162001.jpg](http://static.emol.cl/emol50/Fotos/2016/05/07/file_20160507162001.jpg) You’ve got me there. He is easily dark-skinned enough to be confused for [Sean Lennon](http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/sean-lennons-new-noise-rock-duo-is-incredibly-liberating-20130115). My skin is considerably darker than Guido Menzio’s, and, while I’ve been unfairly stereotyped for having long hair, wearing shabby clothes, smoking, driving an old car, living in the southeast, being overweight, being young, being old, being an engineer, and only having a lowly BS degree, among other things, I’ve never been unfairly stereotyped for having brown skin. If you want to consider Guido Menzio’s skin color to make him “a person of color”, then you have lowered the bar enough for people to be able to claim that “people of color” are not discriminated against because of their skin color since there are far more people with skin color darker than his that do not see the disadvantages that some dark-skinned people see. Heck, if you consider orange a shade of brown, even Donald Trump is brown-skinned. You know who else had brown skin? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/528 "2016-05-30T14:51:33Z")
That just goes to show you that racial/ethnic/skin-color prejudice is not actually about the objective _color_ of your skin. A “person of color” is anyone who is not “white.” This person was targeted because a stranger perceived him as being non-white. That he was actually white is an irony. It’s just like the Sikhs who were attacked because the attackers thought they were Muslims. That they were actually not Muslim just means the attackers were stupid and ignorant _as well as_ being prejudiced against Muslims. So, the fact that this guy was actually a white Italian just means that his accusers was not only being a bigot, but also an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/529 "2016-05-30T14:56:33Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > So, the fact that this guy was actually a white Italian just means that his accusers was not only being a bigot, but also an idiot. I’m confused. I thought she was a moron. And if she’s an idiot, what does that drop **doorhinge** to? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/530 "2016-05-30T15:05:09Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I’m confused. I thought she was a moron. > And if she’s an idiot, what does that drop **doorhinge** to? I’m so ignorant about the intelligence-deficient population that I can’t even get the terminology right. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/531 "2016-05-30T15:19:56Z")
> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#): > > You’ve got to be joking. My tongue is in my cheek, yes. But, sadly, I’m not really joking. That really is how some people perceive this man. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2016, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/532 "2016-05-30T23:17:24Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > That just goes to show you that racial/ethnic/skin-color prejudice is not actually about the objective _color_ of your skin. A “person of color” is anyone who is not “white.” This person was targeted because a stranger perceived him as being non-white. > > That he was actually white is an irony. It’s just like the Sikhs who were attacked because the attackers thought they were Muslims. That they were actually not Muslim just means the attackers were stupid and ignorant _as well as_ being prejudiced against Muslims. > > So, the fact that this guy was actually a white Italian just means that his accusers was not only being a bigot, but also an idiot. I’m not trying to defend the lady; she is definitely ignorant, particularly about math. But, being afraid of something you don’t understand is not being a moron, however, it is being human. We all are afraid of things we don’t understand; that’s natural. To showcase your ignorance in this manner, is not a smart move. This is where the lady made her mistake, and where the airline, and TSA all failed. However, nobody has shown anything to suggest that Guido Menzio was targeted for being a “non-white”. Did his appearance have anything to do with the incident, at all? Many posters, as I have shown, have assumed that was the reason, but when I pointed out that he was, in fact, a white European, the goalposts were moved to “well, a lot of middle-easterners are not that dark”. Where does the assumption that he was thought to be a middle-easterner come from? I saw nothing in any of the news reports that said that the incident arose from anything but his writing. It seems to me that only people who fixate on appearances would even drag that into the situation. Of course, you can unjustly assume the lady is a bigot and a moron if that helps you sleep well at night. But, you also run the risk of someone thinking the same about you. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2016, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/533 "2016-05-31T22:00:14Z")
For historical reference - > [@mhendo](#): > > A few weeks ago, a UC Berkeley student was [removed from a plane, restrained, and interrogated](http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-student-removed-southwest-airline-flight-arabic-20160418-story.html) for having the temerity to speak Arabic, after a passenger complained. > > Now, a plane has been delayed for two hours after another prime example of American stupidity. The offense this time? [Doing math](http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/07/professor-flight-delay-terrorism-equation-american-airlines).Another example of the growing Trumpification of America. (Post shortened, underline added) > [@doorhinge](#): > > Didn’t the original articles imply that Trump was at fault. Now it’s Obama’s fault? > > Oh, the humanity and all the passengers screaming around here… > > - Herbert O. “Herb” Morrison > [@running\_coach](#): > > No. Yes, it did. Better luck next time. 😃 It didn’t seem to matter that Trump wasn’t within 100 miles of this incident. It didn’t seem to matter that the woman’s political leanings were, and still are, unknown. It must be Trump’s fault because - Trump Derangement Syndrome. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2016, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/534 "2016-05-31T22:05:20Z")
> [@ricksummon](#): > > Well, if she _was_ alone, then that would mean there was no one sitting next to her, right? Which would logically mean the person she reported was actually a hallucination. Does “if you see something, say something” apply if it’s something only _you_ can see? 😃 Hahahaha. That’s hysterical. So imaginative. Have you thought of applying for a job writing teleprompter script for MSNBC? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2016, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/535 "2016-05-31T22:16:08Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > For historical reference - > > (Post shortened, underline added) > > Yes, it did. Better luck next time. 😃 > > It didn’t seem to matter that Trump wasn’t within 100 miles of this incident. It didn’t seem to matter that the woman’s political leanings were, and still are, unknown. It must be Trump’s fault because - Trump Derangement Syndrome. :smack: Got a few links? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2016, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/536 "2016-05-31T22:21:37Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > A Muslim reported me to the police. What should I do, doorhinge? Doesn’t anyone like you? First the Canadians, and now the Muslims. Maybe you should stay in the meadow? just sayin’ 🆒 You only need to complete 6 steps of the usual 12-step program. - admitting that one cannot control one’s compulsion; - recognizing a higher power that can give strength; - examining past errors with the help of a sponsor (experienced member); - making amends for these errors; - learning to live a new life with a new code of behavior; - helping others who suffer from the same compulsions. Good luck and best wishes. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2016, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/537 "2016-05-31T22:27:22Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I’m confused. I thought she was a moron. > And if she’s an idiot, what does that drop **doorhinge** to? At least one level above you. As usual. Little wonder you’re confused. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2016, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/538 "2016-06-01T01:53:39Z")
Hey, **excavating (for a mind)**, mind practicing on unhinged? Let us know if you find anything. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/539 "2016-06-23T05:58:37Z")
[Here is another good one](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3647375/Told-shave-Man-Arabic-scary-looking-beard-kicked-Alaska-Airlines-flight-after.html): a man was prevented from flying from Dallas to Seattle because a quavering woman thought he looked “Arab and scary”. I find this story deeply ironic, because, to me, the guy looks, maybe, Tlingit or Salish-like, and he was barred from getting on an _ **Alaska** _ Airlines flight. To Seattle, where you find lots of those kind of people. ---
**Author:** ![Lobot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce7236/32.png) [@Lobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobot)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219/540 "2016-06-23T06:11:41Z")
Ah, but we have yet to hear the complainant’s side of the story! Maybe he was doing something suspicious, such as acting brown! Now, this is the Daily Mail, but if that story is true, airlines need to start putting in place some sort of penalty/inconvenience for people making such flimsy claims. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219.md?page=26) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-morons-another-plane-delayed-by-a-fucking-idiot/754219.md?page=28)