Banned for a George Bush T-shirt

[czechmate7]

AN Australian was barred from a London-Melbourne flight unless he removed a T-shirt depicting George Bush as the world's number one terrorist.

Allen Jasson was also prevented from catching a connecting flight within Australia later the same day unless he removed the offending T-shirt.

Mr Jasson says Qantas and Virgin Blue were engaging in censorship but the airlines say the T-shirt was a security issue and could affect the sensitivities of other passengers.

"The woman at the security check-in (at Heathrow) just said to me, 'You are not wearing that'," Mr Jasson, 55, said yesterday.

Mr Jasson, who lives in London and was flying to Australia to visit family on December 2, said he was first told he would need to turn the T-shirt inside-out before he would be allowed to board the Qantas flight.

"I told her I had the right to express my opinion," he said.

"She called other security and other people got involved. Ultimately, they said it was a security issue . . . in light of the present situation."


http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20925632-38200,00.html

[narlacat]

Hehehe, we don't like him (think I can safely talk for the rest of Oz lol)

[2sisters]

I don't see why it's a big deal. I don't think that Bush is the #1 terrorist but maybe this guy does and who care if he thinks so and advertises it.

[czechmate7]

Hehehe, we don't like him (think I can safely talk for the rest of Oz lol)That isn't the reason he was asked to take the shirt off..

[Jeana (DP)]

Hehehe, we don't like him (think I can safely talk for the rest of Oz lol)


You don't have to darlin. He's not your president!

[IrishMist]

You don't have to darlin. He's not your president!But he's affecting the world.

[Nova]

You don't have to darlin. He's not your president!

I don't have to, either, though he is.

That being said, it's not a t-shirt I would wear. However, I don't understand what the security personnel were thinking.

[Sally]

Ya know, I've always thought message t-shirts were tacky but I know they're popular with teen-agers. But a fifty-five year old man really needs to learn a more mature way to communicate or hire somone to dress him.

[IrishMist]

Ya know, I've always thought message t-shirts were tacky but I know they're popular with teen-agers. But a fifty-five year old man really needs to learn a more mature way to communicate or hire somone to dress him.Maybe so, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't have been able to wear it on the plane, IMO.

[Sally]

Maybe so, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't have been able to wear it on the plane, IMO.
Well that was the airlines' decision to make.

[IrishMist]

Well that was the airlines' decision to make.Airfare is not cheap. You pay them to take you where you need to go. I really don't think the airlines should be able to tell you what you can wear and what you can't.

[czechmate7]

Airfare is not cheap. You pay them to take you where you need to go. I really don't think the airlines should be able to tell you what you can wear and what you can't.
I'm sure the airline didn't feel comfortable with a "terrorist" theme t-shirt...no matter who's face was on it. The airline was looking out for the feelings of the others on the flights...I think they were right on.

[Sally]

Airfare is not cheap. You pay them to take you where you need to go. I really don't think the airlines should be able to tell you what you can wear and what you can't.
Really? Where would you draw the line? Or would you?

[IrishMist]

Really? Where would you draw the line? Or would you?That's a good question.

Probably cuss words.

ETA: Or anything X-rated.

Where do you draw the line?

[IrishMist]

lol

Where do you draw the line? Did the guy have it designed by Chavez?If so, it might have had cuss words on it!!

[windovervocalcords]

Naw. But for selection options go here...

The guy can have another sign put on the back that says "I was kicked off a plane for wearing this!"

http://www.cafepress.com/beatbushgear

[IrishMist]

Naw. But for selection options go here...

The guy can have another sign put on the back that says "I was kicked off a plane for wearing this!"

http://www.cafepress.com/beatbushgearAh... you just made my Christmas shopping sooo much easier!

[windovervocalcords]

Ah... you just made my Christmas shopping sooo much easier!Beats yankee candles.

[Jeana (DP)]

I don't have to, either, though he is.

That being said, it's not a t-shirt I would wear. However, I don't understand what the security personnel were thinking.


I don't know. But I would rather ya'll kept the politics talk where it belongs and not here.

[Jeana (DP)]

But he's affecting the world.


There are a lot of leaders that affect the world. Please keep the politics talk on the political forum. Thanks.

[nanandjim]

This person wore the t-shirt to incite a reaction. He would be the first person to cry like a baby if someone were to approach him and say something about it. I'm glad that the airlines were courageous enough to remove this guy. He is an idiot, IMO. ;)

[windovervocalcords]

And now an American schoolboy has had his right to mock the president upheld in court.

Zachery Guiles, who sued school officials after he was made to censor a T-shirt which labelled Bush "Chicken-Hawk-In-Chief" and portrayed him as an alcohol and cocaine user, won an appeal on Wednesday granting him the right to wear the T-shirt to school.

The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favour of Guiles, who through his parents claimed his free speech rights had been violated when school officials made him put duct tape over parts of his T-shirt.

The shirt showed Bush surrounded by mounds of cocaine, a razor blade, a straw and a martini.
http://english.people.com.cn/200609/01/eng20060901_298741.html

[nanandjim]

And now an American schoolboy has had his right to mock the president upheld in court...
Wow...What an accomplishment...I know that I would have that fact bolded and prominently displayed in my holiday newsletter sent to family and friends. :rolleyes:

[IrishMist]

And now an American schoolboy has had his right to mock the president upheld in court.

Zachery Guiles, who sued school officials after he was made to censor a T-shirt which labelled Bush "Chicken-Hawk-In-Chief" and portrayed him as an alcohol and cocaine user, won an appeal on Wednesday granting him the right to wear the T-shirt to school.

The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favour of Guiles, who through his parents claimed his free speech rights had been violated when school officials made him put duct tape over parts of his T-shirt.

The shirt showed Bush surrounded by mounds of cocaine, a razor blade, a straw and a martini.
http://english.people.com.cn/200609/01/eng20060901_298741.htmlThe district that my kids attended wouldn't allow this based on the pictures of drugs and drinks. Nothing to do with the political aspect.

I personally cringe when I see kids wearing t-shirts that advertise alcohol.

[windovervocalcords]

The district that my kids attended wouldn't allow this based on the pictures of drugs and drinks. Nothing to do with the political aspect.

I personally cringe when I see kids wearing t-shirts that advertise alcohol.
Our local high school had to refine "dress code" when kids started showing up in pajamas.

[IrishMist]

Our local high school had to refine "dress code" when kids started showing up in pajamas.That was all the rage when my youngest went through. Don't know what they did about it. Don't follow it all that much now that mine are done.

[windovervocalcords]

Wow...What an accomplishment...I know that I would have that fact bolded and prominently displayed in my holiday newsletter sent to family and friends. :rolleyes:If I had pulled a stunt like this in my family there would have been "hell to pay." I am astounded at the parents.

This boys family probably is putting this in the family holiday newsletter. Apparently free speech is a big deal to them.

I think it would have made more sense to send the kid home to change his shirt. The duct tape thing sounds just plain silly.

[Pandora]

And now an American schoolboy has had his right to mock the president upheld in court.

Zachery Guiles, who sued school officials after he was made to censor a T-shirt which labelled Bush "Chicken-Hawk-In-Chief" and portrayed him as an alcohol and cocaine user, won an appeal on Wednesday granting him the right to wear the T-shirt to school.

The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favour of Guiles, who through his parents claimed his free speech rights had been violated when school officials made him put duct tape over parts of his T-shirt.

The shirt showed Bush surrounded by mounds of cocaine, a razor blade, a straw and a martini.
http://english.people.com.cn/200609/01/eng20060901_298741.html

The dress code at most schools prohibits the wearing of any clothing w/ references to drugs/tobacco/alcohol unless they are D.A.R.E./S.A.D.D./etc., shirts. I'm not surprised the school objected on those grounds. You'll notice he was required to place duct tape over sections of the shirt; I'd be willing to bet the sections covered were those w/ drugs/alcohol/straw. The rest of the shirt obviously wasn't the problem or they'd have made him turn it inside out.

[narlacat]

You don't have to darlin. He's not your president!We've been through this before Jeana.

You know why Australians don't like him.

Iraq.

[narlacat]

This person wore the t-shirt to incite a reaction. He would be the first person to cry like a baby if someone were to approach him and say something about it. I'm glad that the airlines were courageous enough to remove this guy. He is an idiot, IMO. ;)
Someone did approach him and he didn't cry lol

Courageous isn't a word I would use.

[windovervocalcords]

The dress code at most schools prohibits the wearing of any clothing w/ references to drugs/tobacco/alcohol unless they are D.A.R.E./S.A.D.D./etc., shirts. I'm not surprised the school objected on those grounds. You'll notice he was required to place duct tape over sections of the shirt; I'd be willing to bet the sections covered were those w/ drugs/alcohol/straw. The rest of the shirt obviously wasn't the problem or they'd have made him turn it inside out.I don't think the high school was unreasonable in their request. If the boy had been in college nothing would have happened. At least, I don't think so (unless there is some Homeland Security terrorism t-shirt profile that I haven't heard about.)

I thought it was interesting that the story from a Chinese newspaper is that the boy had the right to sue over wearing the shirt that criticized the President. In China, that would not be allowed, is the point.

[narlacat]

Being an Aussie and commenting on happenings in the US here is a courageous act.
It didn't happen in the US, it happened in London.

But yes courage is one of my strong points :p

[windovervocalcords]

I like your American president that was in that movie last night called..........American President...................lol....I really like that movie :D
Martin Sheen is pretty good as president too.

[2sisters]

People don't like Bush. Who cares? The Bush arguments get old. He's done dumb things. What leader hasn't. The next president will be mocked too. People will always fault whoever leads the US. It is only natural.

[Sally]

That's a good question.

Probably cuss words.

ETA: Or anything X-rated.

Where do you draw the line?
How about no vulgar language, and please cover your butt crack. It's not as cute as you may think.
ETA: "you " does not mean you Irish mist..just folks in general..

[Jeana (DP)]

We've been through this before Jeana.

You know why Australians don't like him.

Iraq.


I don't like the fact that my countrymen and women are in Iraq, but the fact remains that this isn't the political forum and I don't want it discussed here.

[windovervocalcords]

I have no interest in discussing politics in the news of the bizarre. But I have a question.

The first post in this thread is that a man wearing an anti-bush t shirt is taken off the plane. He is removed for wearing something that makes a political statement, that is that he does not agree with or like GWB.

He is asked to remove it not becausethe t shirt is disrespectful to GW but because that is perceived in some way as security issue and something that could "affect the sensitivities of the passengers". That act in itself seems to have some "politics" in it, in the sense that what does the "sensitivities of the passengers mean?"

That statement moves it beyond a security issue into the arena of politics.

It used to be that sometimes threads were removed from one forum and placed in another. Not sure the circumstances but it seemed when the topic veered into another arena or some more social category.

The story fits the definition of bizarre news. It also fits the definition of politics. I'm not sure what "cross posting" means but would starting a thread on this story in the political forum be acceptable? Or would the thread have to be moved to the parking lot or some such?

[narlacat]

I don't like the fact that my countrymen and women are in Iraq, but the fact remains that this isn't the political forum and I don't want it discussed here.
Ok, no worries.

[Jeana (DP)]

I have no interest in discussing politics in the news of the bizarre. But I have a question.

The first post in this thread is that a man wearing an anti-bush t shirt is taken off the plane. He is removed for wearing something that makes a political statement, that is that he does not agree with or like GWB.

He is asked to remove it not becausethe t shirt is disrespectful to GW but because that is perceived in some way as security issue and something that could "affect the sensitivities of the passengers". That act in itself seems to have some "politics" in it, in the sense that what does the "sensitivities of the passengers mean?"

That statement moves it beyond a security issue into the arena of politics.

It used to be that sometimes threads were removed from one forum and placed in another. Not sure the circumstances but it seemed when the topic veered into another arena or some more social category.

The story fits the definition of bizarre news. It also fits the definition of politics. I'm not sure what "cross posting" means but would starting a thread on this story in the political forum be acceptable? Or would the thread have to be moved to the parking lot or some such?


You may absolutely start a thread in the political forum to discuss this.

[windovervocalcords]

You may absolutely start a thread in the political forum to discuss this.
Ok--

For the benefit of ease and appropriateness anyone who is interested in exploring political issues related to this bizarre case is invited to the Political Forum.

All views welcome.

[czechmate7]

I have no interest in discussing politics in the news of the bizarre. But I have a question.

The first post in this thread is that a man wearing an anti-bush t shirt is taken off the plane. He is removed for wearing something that makes a political statement, that is that he does not agree with or like GWB.

He is asked to remove it not becausethe t shirt is disrespectful to GW but because that is perceived in some way as security issue and something that could "affect the sensitivities of the passengers". That act in itself seems to have some "politics" in it, in the sense that what does the "sensitivities of the passengers mean?"

That statement moves it beyond a security issue into the arena of politics.

It used to be that sometimes threads were removed from one forum and placed in another. Not sure the circumstances but it seemed when the topic veered into another arena or some more social category.

The story fits the definition of bizarre news. It also fits the definition of politics. I'm not sure what "cross posting" means but would starting a thread on this story in the political forum be acceptable? Or would the thread have to be moved to the parking lot or some such?
I thought he was asked to remove the shirt due to its "terrorist" theme...didn't think it had anything to do with it being disrespectful to GW.
I think the "sensitivites of the passengers" means that they didn't want the others uncomfortable having some guy with terrorist insinuations on his clothing...I have to commend the airlines for looking after their other passengers! The guy can certainly fly another airline if he doesn't like their dress code.

[nanandjim]

...Courageous isn't a word I would use.
It is a word that I used. No one said that you had to follow suit and use it, too. :rolleyes:

[windovervocalcords]

Ok, no worries.
No worries. Use whatever words you use.

[narlacat]

It is a word that I used. No one said that you had to follow suit and use it, too. :rolleyes:
Fair enough.

You obviously use that word more lightly than I do, everyone's different.

[nanandjim]

...You obviously use that word more lightly than I do...
Uh huh...Whatever... :rolleyes:

[narlacat]

Uh huh...Whatever... :rolleyes:Where would we be without emoticons :confused: :waitasec: :crazy:
The rolly eye one is one of my faves too! along with this one which I use all the time :p
Yeah, whatever but just to probably annoy you more- what was courageous about the airline not allowing this guy to wear the t shirt?

[angelmom]

Where would we be without emoticons :confused: :waitasec: :crazy:
The rolly eye one is one of my faves too! along with this one which I use all the time :p
Yeah, whatever but just to probably annoy you more- what was courageous about the airline not allowing this guy to wear the t shirt?

Not my conversation, but I'm going to jump in and say that with all of the lawsuits and crybabies whining about their rights, I think a lot of businesses including airlines might be gunshy about kicking someone off a plane for something with even the slightest tinge of political bias. I think it takes some guts to say, "No, that's not okay, even though we are probably going to get nailed in the media for it."

Why do people think that, just because they bought a ticket, they get to tell you how to fly the flippin' plane? There are other people around and, as the saying goes, your rights end at the tip of my nose.

We deal with this all of the time with private school parents thinking they are allowed to give orders at the school just because they pay tuition. Get over yourselves! Be a little respectful of others and quit trying to stir the $%*& all the time!

That goes for this grown man (who should know better but clearly doesn't), the high school kid, and his idiot parents who think a t-shirt depicting drug and alchohol abuse is appropriate for school (or anywhere!).

Don't you miss the days when people gave a hoot how they looked and would dress up a little to fly (or attend school)?

:blushing: Sorry, y'all can go back to your conversation now. I'm done.

[2sisters]

I think he was just trrying to get a rise out of people and be a poo starter and he succeeded. It is just another case of overseas America bashing.

[czechmate7]

I think he was just rtrying to et a rise out of people and be a poo starter and he succeeded. It is just another case of overseas America bashing.I totally agree with you... IMO it doesn't matter who's in office here, people are going to find *something* wrong with our president and/or country and bash it...it's such a shame....(even worst if they are American!!)

[2sisters]

I totally agree with you... IMO it doesn't matter who's in office here, people are going to find *something* wrong with our president and/or country and bash it...it's such a shame....(even worst if they are American!!)Exactly, if we ignored the middle east situation we would be jerks, if we go we are jerks. I am no big fan of the war mind you, but something has to be done about the situation over there. You can't win and personally I could care less what this guy thinks. Let him wear it, but next time he needs to look at his countries government and problem fisrt before taking on ours.

[czechmate7]

Exactly, if we ignored the middle east situation we would be jerks, if we go we are jerks. I am no big fan of the war mind you, but something has to be done about the situation over there. You can't win and personally I could care less what this guy thinks. Let him wear it, but next time he needs to look at his countries government and problem fisrt before taking on ours.Could you imagine if Bush hadn't had done anything after 9/11...OMG....what an awful president.....kinda like the Katrina thing.. Bush didn't respond quick enough..............but when FEMA was sending out millions of $$ to folks scamming then it was because they were too hasty....geez....
I'm no fan of the middle east either, but I've been there, in the military, and I can tell you, the majority of our troops love this country and don't question our leaders and the decisions being made (leaders that are elected by *we the people*).
IMO, when Americans start all their anti-Bush crap it makes our country look weak...Granted, it's freedom of speech, yadda, yadda....but when our sons and daughters are in harms way the last thing we need to do is show the world how divided the US is by bashing our leader..IMO of course!!!

[narlacat]

I think he was just trrying to get a rise out of people and be a poo starter and he succeeded. It is just another case of overseas America bashing.Um, it was a joke....you know like hahahahaha, and it's not so much America bashing as GW bashing, he asks for it- ya reap what ya sow....

[narlacat]

Exactly, if we ignored the middle east situation we would be jerks, if we go we are jerks. I am no big fan of the war mind you, but something has to be done about the situation over there. You can't win and personally I could care less what this guy thinks. Let him wear it, but next time he needs to look at his countries government and problem fisrt before taking on ours.
How do you know he doesn't?

[narlacat]

Not my conversation, but I'm going to jump in and say that with all of the lawsuits and crybabies whining about their rights, I think a lot of businesses including airlines might be gunshy about kicking someone off a plane for something with even the slightest tinge of political bias. I think it takes some guts to say, "No, that's not okay, even though we are probably going to get nailed in the media for it."

Why do people think that, just because they bought a ticket, they get to tell you how to fly the flippin' plane? There are other people around and, as the saying goes, your rights end at the tip of my nose.

We deal with this all of the time with private school parents thinking they are allowed to give orders at the school just because they pay tuition. Get over yourselves! Be a little respectful of others and quit trying to stir the $%*& all the time!

That goes for this grown man (who should know better but clearly doesn't), the high school kid, and his idiot parents who think a t-shirt depicting drug and alchohol abuse is appropriate for school (or anywhere!).

Don't you miss the days when people gave a hoot how they looked and would dress up a little to fly (or attend school)?

:blushing: Sorry, y'all can go back to your conversation now. I'm done.

No, not at all....
We don't dress up for school here, we have uniforms.
And if I'm going to sit on a plane for 24 hours I wanna be comfortable not worried about wrinkling my outfit or if I'm 'dressed' up enough..I dress down....hey where's my t shirt :crazy:

[halycon]

I just got back from Europe and everyone sympathized with our view. They like Americans but hate Bush and what he has done to our poor world.

[narlacat]

Could you imagine if Bush hadn't had done anything after 9/11...OMG....what an awful president.....kinda like the Katrina thing.. Bush didn't respond quick enough..............but when FEMA was sending out millions of $$ to folks scamming then it was because they were too hasty....geez....
I'm no fan of the middle east either, but I've been there, in the military, and I can tell you, the majority of our troops love this country and don't question our leaders and the decisions being made (leaders that are elected by *we the people*).
IMO, when Americans start all their anti-Bush crap it makes our country look weak...Granted, it's freedom of speech, yadda, yadda....but when our sons and daughters are in harms way the last thing we need to do is show the world how divided the US is by bashing our leader..IMO of course!!!
Makes me think at least some of you know the truth.

[nanandjim]

...when I went oversees years ago people disliked Americans...and GW wasn't Pres back then..
I agree. What bothers me is that there are posters who are not citizens of this country knocking it left and right. I can only imagine if I started knocking Canada or Australia, for instance. Do you think that their citizens would join in with the insults or do you think that they would join together and defend their homeland? It would be nice if the citizens of the U.S. would at least put their differences aside and join forces when the need arises. ;)

[Jeana (DP)]

There is a thread in the political forum. This one is being closed.