Amazing. I remember the story of a man flying from Philadelphia to Arizona (Phoenix, I think?) shortly after he 11 September 2001; he was banned from boarding the flight because he had a copy of The Monkey Wrench Gang in his hand baggage!
Aargh. I do think it's cool that the book's author responded, though! I suppose I shouldn't bring my copy of Jason Burke's excellent analysis Al-Qaeda: The True Story of Radical Islam on board with me! (Next flight is Heathrow to Hamburg in November...)
Chris always says she got some looks from European airport guards in Europe when she went through (two decades ago?) with a copy of Robin Wright's "Sacred Rage: The Wrath of Militant Islam".
Books are scary. People might read them and *think*!
Pretty horrifying, non? Given the blog, I first thought the story was going to be about traveling in Central Asia, where I can imagine people are sensitive about the specific book and it might be a political move to have it seized in airports. But for that discussion to take place in the UK is chilling.
I read somewhere that that book was one of the ones on an watch list as being one to look for regarding terrorists I know nothing about the book but it seems to be listed as a possible signifier sigh I think this guy actually had heard this and took it on deliberatly
I read somewhere that that book was one of the ones on an watch list as being one to look for regarding terrorists
If such a list exists, I predict that the professional career of whoever instituted it can now be measured in days. The concept is not only deeply offensive, but astonishingly foolish. The book has nothing much to do with terrorism at all, but that's not the point--that just adds a kind of Keystone Kops layer on top of the rest of the story. The point is that banning books that contain ideas that some people don't like is doing just what the terrorists would do if they were running things.
This is the sort of situation that cries out for someone at a low level to be made a scapegoat so as to cover the rest of the government's dubious anti-terrorism policies.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2006-08-23 05:36 pm (UTC)Aargh. I do think it's cool that the book's author responded, though! I suppose I shouldn't bring my copy of Jason Burke's excellent analysis Al-Qaeda: The True Story of Radical Islam on board with me! (Next flight is Heathrow to Hamburg in November...)
no subject
Date: 2006-08-23 06:25 pm (UTC)Books are scary. People might read them and *think*!
no subject
Date: 2006-08-23 05:54 pm (UTC)As in, "YOU'RE KIDDING ME, RIGHT????"
I mean, are they going to nail you for "Hamlet" as it involves murder, secrets, intonations of incest and much plotting?
Or how about Harry Potter? I mean, if a bottle of shampoo can set a plane on fire, imagine what an incantation can do!
no subject
Date: 2006-08-23 06:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-23 05:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-23 06:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-23 06:36 pm (UTC)I know nothing about the book but it seems to be listed as a possible signifier sigh
I think this guy actually had heard this and took it on deliberatly
no subject
Date: 2006-08-23 06:50 pm (UTC)If such a list exists, I predict that the professional career of whoever instituted it can now be measured in days. The concept is not only deeply offensive, but astonishingly foolish. The book has nothing much to do with terrorism at all, but that's not the point--that just adds a kind of Keystone Kops layer on top of the rest of the story. The point is that banning books that contain ideas that some people don't like is doing just what the terrorists would do if they were running things.
This is the sort of situation that cries out for someone at a low level to be made a scapegoat so as to cover the rest of the government's dubious anti-terrorism policies.
no subject
Date: 2006-08-23 06:57 pm (UTC)yes very true but the whole reaction to terroism is dodgy.
we are not prepared and it scares me
*nods*
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Date: 2006-08-23 07:20 pm (UTC)ARGH. The mind police. Make them stop! :-(
no subject
Date: 2006-08-24 05:03 pm (UTC)