19 replies to this topic

[Waser Lave]

Some people might already know about the recent case of some UK tourists being deported from America due to some ill-advised but probably innocent 'tweets':

http://www.bbc.co.uk...nology-16810312

Holidaymakers have been warned to watch their words after two friends were refused entry to the US on security grounds after a tweet.

Before his trip, Leigh Van Bryan wrote that he was going to "destroy America".

He insisted he was referring to simply having a good time - but was sent home.

Trade association Abta told the BBC that the case highlighted that holidaymakers should never do anything to raise "concern or suspicion in any way".

The US Department for Homeland Security picked up Mr Bryan's messages ahead of his holiday in Los Angeles.

The 26-year-old bar manager wrote a message to a friend on the micro-blogging service, saying: "Free this week, for quick gossip/prep before I go and destroy America."

The Irish national told the Sun newspaper that he and his friend Emily Bunting were apprehended on arrival at Los Angeles International Airport before being sent home.

"The Homeland Security agents were treating me like some kind of terrorist," Mr Bryan said.

"I kept saying they had got the wrong meaning from my tweet."

Now, some frankly shocking images have come to light showing exactly what happened behind the scenes:

http://www.theregist...us_deportation/

A terrifying insight into post-9/11 American security hysteria.

[Turnip]

Ahahah, wow..... That's so dumb! Looks like you can't say you're gonna have fun during your holiday in a post 9/11 world
(But man, I'm so jealous of people going to the US/other places! Aaahh I want to go on some long haul flight so badly)

[Lychee]

Jesus, I won't be sleeping tonight. That's horrific.

Is that dog on the first pic of page two covered in blood? And why is it looking up that poor man's ass hole?

[Waser Lave]

Jesus, I won't be sleeping tonight. That's horrific.

Is that dog on the first pic of page two covered in blood? And why is it looking up that poor man's ass hole?

I think that's just its markings (brown rather than blood red), and it's clearly a sniffer dog.

[Nymh]

I love how the Department of Homeland Security confirmed his plans that he was coming to America specifically to dig up the grave of Marilyn Monroe

Because you know, that's a fun touristey thing to do

Especially since Marilyn isn't actually buried at all, she is in a mausoleum

[Lychee]

I think that's just its markings (brown rather than blood red), and it's clearly a sniffer dog.

You say markings, I say dried blood from the last deportee.

[iargue]

Ahahah, wow..... That's so dumb! Looks like you can't say you're gonna have fun during your holiday in a post 9/11 world
(But man, I'm so jealous of people going to the US/other places! Aaahh I want to go on some long haul flight so badly)

de·stroy   [dih-stroi] Show IPA
verb (used with object)
1.to reduce (an object) to useless fragments, a useless form, or remains, as by rending, burning, or dissolving; injure beyond repair or renewal; demolish; ruin; annihilate.
2.to put an end to; extinguish.
3.to kill; slay.
4.to render ineffective or useless; nullify; neutralize; invalidate.
5.to defeat completely.
verb (used without object)
6.to engage in destruction.

fun   [fuhn] Show IPA
noun
1.something that provides mirth or amusement: A picnic would be fun.
2.enjoyment or playfulness: She's full of fun.
verb (used without object), verb (used with object), funned, fun·ning,
3.Informal . joke; kid.

The only way that destroy = fun is if you like blowing things up or killing people....

[Waser Lave]

The only way that destroy = fun is if you like blowing things up or killing people....

You're an expert on British colloquialisms too?

[Lychee]

The only way that destroy = fun is if you like blowing things up or killing people....

Not always!

Illustrated example:

Spoiler

[Stitches]

The only way that destroy = fun is if you like blowing things up or killing people....

I'm going to assume you've never heard the phrase "I'm going to get destroyed/wrecked/bombed/smashed"...


On a more serious note, funny as those playmobil pics are it's still pretty fucked up that an innocent tweet can get you thrown out of the country. Had he made a comment about getting bombed he'd probably have ended up in jail.

[Kat]

I laughed harder than I should have at the playmobil pictures.

[Goose]

Yeah, I use 'destroy' for other stuff all the time. I have no intention of actually destroying anything (except maybe a cheeseburger).

It confirms my suspicion that no americans have any sense of any kind of humour, at all, ever.

(Also, Waser...Mystery Pic dude. Slack. )

And yeah:

destroy

to do really well on something - antonym of bombed
I destroyed that test! President's List, here I come!!


destroy

To overcome completely and greatly, without the hint that much effort was used.

Edited by Goose, 03 February 2012 - 01:26 PM.

[Waser Lave]

(Also, Waser...Mystery Pic dude. Slack. )

(One can't solve what one can't see. )

[Stitches]

Adding to the insanity, a Muslim man was arrested and accused of being a terrorist because he sent a text to his employees encouraging them to "blow away" the competition at a trade show. And this was in Canada, too... I thought we were safer from this madness up here.

Welcome to the Police State.

[Melchoire]

Your thread title sounds like a headline from Inside Edition...

[iargue]

You're an expert on British colloquialisms too?

I don't need to be? The dictionary clearly show differing definitions for the word "destroy" and the word "fun"

Not always!

Illustrated example:

Spoiler

All completely incorrect and invalid uses of the word. Just because it is used in slang, does not mean that its valid usage.

I'm going to assume you've never heard the phrase "I'm going to get destroyed/wrecked/bombed/smashed"...


On a more serious note, funny as those playmobil pics are it's still pretty fucked up that an innocent tweet can get you thrown out of the country. Had he made a comment about getting bombed he'd probably have ended up in jail.

I've heard that phrase hundreds of time. Even used it before too. Doesn't mean that its valid or correct usage of the word. The word destroy has a definition that defines it in a certain way, rather then being used in a completely unrelated way.

It confirms my suspicion that no americans have any sense of any kind of humour, at all, ever.

Keep assuming bullshit, it makes you look cooler.

[Goose]

I wasn't being serious. Uhhh..

Waser is that a riddle? 0.o

Also, since when did using slang and local colloquialisms become against the law? It's bad enough that you can't go on holiday to the states if you've had a parking ticket at any point in your life, but for using local slang on Twitter to your mates...then to have it read by immigration and them act on it like you a criminal is a step too far. If someone was actually going to destroy LA I doubt they would announce it to their mates on Twitter.

[Waser Lave]

I don't need to be? The dictionary clearly show differing definitions for the word "destroy" and the word "fun"

All completely incorrect and invalid uses of the word. Just because it is used in slang, does not mean that its valid usage.

I've heard that phrase hundreds of time. Even used it before too. Doesn't mean that its valid or correct usage of the word. The word destroy has a definition that defines it in a certain way, rather then being used in a completely unrelated way.

Keep assuming bullshit, it makes you look cooler.

It may surprise you to find out that people who use Twitter don't always stick to strict dictionary definitions when posting their messages. It's clear from the context of their messages that they weren't literally going to destroy the entire country of the United States of America (even just logistically that would be a pretty unrealistic aim given current baggage weight restrictions, it's difficult enough to get a good amount of alcohol through customs let alone several dozen thermonuclear weapons).

[Hydrogen]

It may surprise you to find out that people who use Twitter don't always stick to strict dictionary definitions when posting their messages. It's clear from the context of their messages that they weren't literally going to destroy the entire country of the United States of America (even just logistically that would be a pretty unrealistic aim given current baggage weight restrictions, it's difficult enough to get a good amount of alcohol through customs let alone several dozen thermonuclear weapons).

The fact that the discussion on the definition of 'destroyed' reached the point where you were required to explain the concept bare concerns me.

I am genuinely concerned.

[Dazz]

The only way that destroy = fun is if you like blowing things up or killing people....

LOL at using a dictionary to describe a word clearly used as slang. In that case i'm gonna go ahead and call you a prick. That's right of course i'm using the dictionary definition for the word. You're such a sharp point:

prick
   [prik] Show IPA
noun
1.
a puncture made by a needle, thorn, or the like.
2.
a sharp point; prickle.
3.
the act of pricking: the prick of a needle.
4.
the state or sensation of being pricked.
5.
a sharp pain caused by or as if by being pricked; twinge.