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Justice Department's Bio-terror Mistake

Posted by samzenpus on from the more-deadly-than-the-mooninites dept.

destinyland writes "University professor and artist Steve Kurtz publicizes the history of chemical weapons with performance art pieces. The day his wife died of a heart attack, 911 responders mistook his scientific equipment for bioterrorism supplies. After he was detained for 22 hours, Homeland Security cordoned off his block, and a search was performed on his house in hazmat suits, they found nothing. Now they're prosecuting him for "mail fraud" for the way he obtained $256 of harmless bacteria."

13 of 477 comments (clear)

  1. blinking lights, everyday life forms in test tubes by shbazjinkens · · Score: 2, Funny
    I'm always scared of the day that someone finds my electronic test equipment and somehow connects it to my egg hatcher then creates a terrorist plot.

    I think this one's an incubator sir.
    For biological agents?
    I believe it's used to hatch eggs, sir.
    Eggs can be used to cultivate biological agents, proceed with the anal probe.
    He does have several dozen chickens outside...
    Damnit, follow orders or the terrorists win!
  2. In the industry... by Shadow+Wrought · · Score: 5, Funny

    This is known as the "Boston" response.

    --
    If brevity is the soul of wit, then how does one explain Twitter?
  3. In Soviet Russia... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Remember when we used to make fun of Soviet Russia? Well, in NeoCon America, Soviet Russia makes fun of you!

  4. Re:And then this hits the media... by fireman+sam · · Score: 4, Funny

    You forgot:

    P.S. We are still going to charge you with something.

    --
    it is only after a long journey that you know the strength of the horse.
  5. What a maroon by MillionthMonkey · · Score: 5, Funny

    Why would you pay $256 for bacteria? Just buy $1 worth and let each bacterium divide eight times.

    Do it again and you've got $65,536 worth of bacteria which is serious money.

    1. Re:What a maroon by Whatsisname · · Score: 5, Funny

      I think you mean $100,000

  6. Re:Terror is winning by markov_chain · · Score: 2, Funny

    Harmless unless you have a specific type of DNA, in which case the bacteria cause a heart attack ;)

    --
    Tsunami -- You can't bring a good wave down!
  7. Re:Terror is winning by JustOK · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Land of the free"*
    *other charges may apply

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    rewriting history since 2109
  8. Re:Terror is winning by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I was reading your comment in a Don LaFontaine voice.

  9. Re:Terror is winning by somersault · · Score: 2, Funny

    http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=hale

    http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=hail

    If you're going to indulge in political satire, at least learn your fascist salutes please.

    --
    which is totally what she said
  10. Re:Terror is winning by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Civil rights have been eroded to some extent

    Is that like being 'a little bit pregnant'??

  11. Re:Terror is winning by Vulva+R.+Thompson,+P · · Score: 4, Funny

    I did the same thing except with Gilbert Godfried's voice.

    You definitely made the better choice.

  12. Re:Terror is winning by polymath69 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Also because Myanmar-Shave just sounds silly.

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    --
    I don't want to rule the world... I just want to be in charge of mayonnaise.