[statecom-discuss] Re: The Great Boston Art Panic- The Mooninites Attack Boston!

[Colby Peterson]

Turner Broadcasting has already agreed to cover the extra cost spent  
on Wednesday, which is generous for them (not like they can't afford  
it either) considering I don't think anyone is liable here. Turner  
should also pay all of the defendants court costs when they are  
eventually exonerated (even the judge said the state's case is weak).  
The two artists are being used as scapegoats for posturing  
politicians who want to appear strong on homeland security.

Any media outlet that continues to perpetuate the use of the word,  
"hoax" in this case should be sued for libel- there was no hoax here.  
How about "botched advertisement" in the spirit of our junior Senator?

Martha Coakely and Deval Patrick are considering introducing casino  
gambling to Massachusetts- well has anybody told them that casinos  
have a lot of bright lights? Gee whiz, someone might confuse another  
bright flashing box for a bomb, better derail that plan. And for the  
commuters who keep saying they were inconvenienced as they were  
driving on route I-93- stop being so redundant.

Opportunistic foolishness in a paranoid culture of fear.

-C

On Feb 1, 2007, at 9:26 PM, Mike Heichman wrote:

> FYI from Mike Heichman
> ----------------------------------
>
>> Jailing the Artists, Not the Executives
>> By Corporate Crime Reporter
>>
>> Now that two young artists have been charged with felonies by  
>> state prosecutors in Massachusetts for placing 38 cartoon devices  
>> to promote the Cartoon Network's show "Aqua Teen Hunger Force"  
>> around Boston--devices that caused a city-wide panic--the question  
>> becomes--why were the artists charged and not the companies?
>>
>> The artists were charged with placing a hoax device--a felony--and  
>> disorderly conduct.
>>
>> But the artists were working for some very big companies.
>>
>> So, why isn't Time Warner facing felony charges?
>>
>> Why isn't Turner Broadcasting?
>>
>> The Cartoon Network?
>>
>> The marketing company--Interference Inc.?
>>
>> Why not the CEOs of these companies?
>>
>> Why were the artists charged and not the companies?
>>
>> And not the company executives?
>>
>> Boston Mayor Tom Menino said it was all about "corporate greed."
>>
>> "It is outrageous, in a post 9/11 world, that a company would use  
>> this type of marketing scheme," Menino said. "I am prepared to  
>> take any and all legal action against Turner Broadcasting and its  
>> affiliates for any and all expenses incurred during the response  
>> to today's incidents."
>>
>> Except for criminal prosecution.
>>
>> That's reserved for artists.
>>
>> Why charge the young artists with crimes?
>>
>> They had no previous criminal records.
>>
>> And now they have a record.
>>
>> But the companies don't.
>>
>> And the executives don't.
>>
>> Why not charge the companies with felonies?
>>
>> Because the companies carry the big sticks.
>>
>> And big checkbooks.
>>
>> And big law firms.
>>
>> Because it's a lot easier shield the political heat by charging a  
>> couple of kids with felonies than some of the nation's largest  
>> corporations.
>>
>> To show that you are doing "something."
>>
>> Because the new Attorney General of Massachusetts--Martha Coakley-- 
>> has previously expressed her doubts about the effectiveness of  
>> pursuing corporate crime--including in the death of a woman  
>> crushed in the Big Dig tunnel collapse. (See "Mass AG Says  
>> Criminal Probe Difficult in Big Dig Tunnel Death Case," 21  
>> Corporate Crime Reporter 1(3), January 1, 2007), print edition only.)
>>
>> Coakley's spokesperson says "she's not doing interviews at this  
>> time."
>>
>> If not now, when?
>>
>> Will the companies be criminally charged in this case?
>>
>> No they will not.
>>
>> They may end up writing a big check to the city.
>>
>> But their executives will not appear before a judge--as the two  
>> young artists did this morning.
>>
>> They will not face criminal charges.
>>
>> As the two kids did this morning.
>>
>> They will remain above the fray.
>>
>> Issuing apologies.
>>
>> "We apologize to the citizens of Boston that part of a marketing  
>> campaign was mistaken for a public danger," said Turner  
>> Broadcasting System, Inc. Chairman and CEO Phil Kent.
>>
>> Offering to write the big checks.
>>
>> Even writing big checks.
>>
>> Water off a duck's back.
>>
>> But no shaming ritual.
>>
>> No humiliating felony charge.
>>
>> To reverse this travesty, the choice the Attorney General faces is  
>> simple.
>>
>> Either drop the charges against the artists.
>>
>> Or charge the companies involved and their executives.
>>
>> Let us know when you start doing interviews.
>>
>> Corporate Crime Reporter is located in Washington, DC. They can be  
>> reached through their website.
>>
>>
>>
>
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