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Comment by mahmud | Hacker News Reader

Shenanigans.

1) Where did they get the pictured Homeland Security report if HS "declined to comment"? If accurate, it looks like the sort of communication that an agency that refused to comment on an story would not be too quick to divulge. There is no mention of a FOI application, which I'm not even sure two foreigners are entitled to.

2) The two posing clowns are just that kind you would expect to be the butt of jokes. They're so insanely benign, they must have been created for the sole purpose of harmlessness.

3) It's the Sun.

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> Where did they get the pictured Homeland Security report if HS "declined to comment"?

The Daily Mail article captions it as "Paperwork handed to Mr Van Bryan".

May be shenanigans, but I don't see any particular reason to think so aside from the fact it's reported by the Sun/Mail.

That is quite a strong reason, though.

If you are refused entry to the US, they take a statement and give you a copy. It looks like this is that statement.

Did you also notice Tweeter in that report?

Where can I get an account on this Tweeter website...?

Surely you don't want that. Only terrorists use it to share their evil plans. ;-)

This is true. I guess non of us can share timely reports of what we had for breakfast in case we ever have to travel to the US. Best to avoid a such a terrorist-affiliated site.

His Twitter account updates are protected http://twitter.com/leighbryan

NOW they are...

Shenanigans?

Nah. Simulation.

> Where did they get the pictured Homeland Security report if HS "declined to comment"?

Good point. Though fabricating imagery like that is so much par for the course for Sun that it doesn't tell much about the truthfulness of the rest of the story.

Similarly, that photo isn't necessarily them either.

And perhaps neither their names ...

You know maybe you're right :-)

As a story though, it's completely plausible. In most countries customs you can get in serious trouble for joking about bombs. Adjust that for America's larger-than-life paranoia culture and tweeting about "destroying America" (not even a real threat) is a perfectly logical thing for them to get all worked up about.

I think it's important to respect people's cultural norms, even if we do not understand them. Just like you wouldn't order a glass of milk during an Italian business lunch.

(They get seriously offended if you do that and no I don't know why)

Offended? No, they'd just think you're either crazy or taking the mickey. Only the cook would get offended (milk would kill taste).

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