Young American woman travels over to
Jerusalem to meet some friends, see the sights, live the life. Overzealous
border security officers ask her a bunch of questions, take issue with her answers, and a few well-placed bullets later she is allowed entry into the country with a somewhat altered MacBook in tow. So what can we all learn from this incident? Firstly, back up all the data you consider important; B, Israeli policemen don't mess about; and 3,
distressed laptops look gorgeous no matter how they got there -- just look at the way the glass trackpad has wrinkled up from the force of the bullet penetrating near it, it's a borderline work of art. The young lady in question has been promised compensation, but lest you think this is a one one-off you can see pictures of an equally dead Dell at the Flickr link below. We've got a couple more close-ups of the ravaged MacBook after the break.
[Thanks, Itai N.]
Update - We've tracked down a video interview with Lily herself, which shows off a few more angles of the former MacBook and current article of modern art -- check it after the break.
P.S. - As always, we encourage a discussion. A sensitive, intellectual, worldly discussion. If you can't infer what it is we're asking of our dear readers tempted to intone on this matter, then please skip commenting on this thread, mkay?
posted December 16th 2009 7:25PM
@Schmerzlichtod
When was the last time you flown? Why do you think we need to put laptops into the xray machine outside of their bags? Because their could be a bomb in it? This was a laptop with Arab stickers on it (read the article), wouldn't an unattended laptop with Arab stickers in an Israeli airport seem suspicious to you too?
@yoko1324
Ahhh, now it makes sense! Shoot something that could be filled with gunpowder, thermite, and other dangerous explosives. It's not like it would ignite, or anything.
At least israel has a well-trained, highly experienced, bomb squad! I'd feel safer than a baby in a womb in israel! Lol...
@djsaad1
True, it would be suspicious, but I wouldn't shoot a device potentially harbouring a bomb... Where's even the slightest bit of sense in that?
@Schmerzlichtod
I can't tell if you are being intentionally obtuse or not. Do you know anything about security or bomb squads whatsoever?
@Schmerzlichtod I don't know anything about bombs so I have no clue. But my guess would be that they were trying to make it explode. I am sure they were far enough away from it when they were shooting at it and they already evacuated the area.
@Schmerzlichtod
You don't really understand an actual terrorist threat, having grown up in Belfast (and having visited Israel) I can assure you losing your laptop is the least of your worries.
She was a typical stupid tourist and should have done a samll amount of research, an unattended bag could kill ALOT of people if it were a bomb, so she not only lost her Macbook but stupidly wasted everyone elses time by abandoning it. She's getting a new one I'm sure so take a deep breath and be happy you live in such a safe enviroment.
@djsaad1 If you thought it was a bomb, why would you shoot it and thus set it off? What if it were a biological or chemical weapon? Don't they have the bomb-defusing robots to take care of things like this? Shooting it seems very keystone kop.
@luqmaninbmore I don't know much about bombs and bomb squads, but I do know that even when they do bring in a robot. The robot tries to destroy the package. It very well could be that they did bring in a robot and the robot is the one that shot at the package.
@Abe
Everything I've said has been straight to the point, albeit largely sarcastic. If you don't understand what I'm saying, you have a major comprehension problem... I know a lot about security and the mechanics of bombs, so yeah. What do you know?
@djsaad1
You're right, it's clearly evident you know nothing of bombs... I'd be DAMN far away from something I presumed to be a bomb, I'd analyze the situation, and the possibility of disabling the bomb. I don't think you realise the extent of how destructive a REAL bomb could be. Ever heard of the amazingly simple fertalizer bomb? That whole airport could've been taken out with minimal effort, cost, materials, etc., all thanks to the genius stupidity of those "guards". If it were a bomb I'm sure it would have exploded after the first shot... What were the additional two shots for? Fun? Evacuating the area wouldn't save the roof from collapsing killing everyone around the premises.
@fourthletter
You don't have the slightest idea where I live, have grown up, what I've experienced, the things I've learned... anything. Ja sure, she may be getting a new one, it wont cost her but a couple months of work. Oh, and she'll NEVER recover all the memories, documents, etc. that were stored on there. Of course she didn't do anything other than be ignorant of the massive paranoia of israelites with their mind sets always on attacking everyone and crying like little babies (whilst greatly emphasising the damage done to them) when someone retaliates.
@Schmerzlichtod
As I mentioned earlier I know nothing about bombs. But do you really believe that it was just some random security officers shooting at unattended luggage? I am sure these were trained people that go through this type of thing at least once a month, I have a feeling they knew what they were doing.
The person in the article wasn't around when they destroyed the luggage she has no clue how it really happened. It could have been a robot that did the damage. They could have sealed the luggage inside of something and then destroyed it. I have no clue what they did but I highly doubt they didn't know what they were doing.
@djsaad1 except she left it unattened by instruction. where they said she should leave it.
@jonaseriksson My guess would be that there was a communication error. Why would her bag be the only bag left unattended in that spot. If that was a spot where luggage was supposed to be left than wouldn't other peoples luggage be there too?
@fourthletter
if you actually read the story, she was TOLD to leave her bag unattended by the guards. So this seems more like a case of 'lets make her not want to come back here again'
Not so "built tough" after all, huh?
I have a hard time believing this one. If it is true, then someone's ass better be on the line in the security organization responsible for this kind of totally unacceptable behavior. Unless the organization has no proper standards, some guard went WAY over the line. It also would look bad for them, as who wants to go to a country where they destroy your stuff when you come in?
@(Unverified)
If you leave your bag unattended in a country that is constantly attacked by sucide bombers you got of lightly if it just got destroyed.
Be happy you live in such a safe country and be aware many other places are alot more dangerous.
@fourthletter
Your personal mission of spamming this thread is really lame.
@fourthletter Yes, I know unattended bags are taken away. However, that doesn't give the security the right to just destroy it. If they think its going to be a problem, quarantine it. Also, shooting it is really stupid, as it could then blow up. Fact is, some member or portion of the security force there (if this story is true) is clearly totally out of control.
The one time you wish your computer would have frozen.
Note to self... my Macbook will not stop a bullet for me.
killer!
Is there a video somewhere? It might make my Tuesday a bit more fun.
bahahahahahahaha
That's a bullet? I thought it's a ball.
Our security at our borders and our us airports suck compared to most of the regular world. Calling the military guards buffoons is not a good idea, she probably got mouthy after they asked her a few question the girls got what she deserved. You dont go into another country and pick a fight with there military personal if they ask you a question that's just asking for trouble, and looks like trouble did indeed find her.
@danhawk911
Probably some rich foreign girl, that gets every thing she asks for. If true then she, again, got what she asked for.
the pictures are fakes. What agents shoot laptops? And how could they justify that to ones superior? to say it looked suspicious? no way it could have been a bomb. thats missuse of weaponery and I don't think one would risk its job just because he/she doesn't like apple, lol
@vladgeler
you do know it is possible to put a small bomb inside a laptop right? There is a reason why they scan them separate and from what i hear all flights in the uk laptops have to be stored in the belly of the plane and can't be carried on.
@danhawk911
of course. that's my point. on can't tell his superiors that it looked suspicious and thought it could have been a bomb cause it could have exploded. If the scanners detect something not kosher their is a certain protocol, that... wait for it... doesn't include shooting.
There's a link from an israeli newssite in the comments, so it's real, but people also point out it's likely a robot that did it, and likely because her bag was unattended?
@Wwhat
Yes, I've been thinking about that too, but I just can't figure out who the real culprit is: the Asimo or the Aibo?
i would have done the same thing, shoot the bag and see if it explodes, no way i am gonna open a possible bomb package
I can think of two reasons
A: Officer asked women out for a date, she said (ofcourse) no.
Officer gets frustrated and want's to kill her, but her loyal Macbook saved her life by jumping infront of her.
B: The Officer in question also play's Modern Warfare 2 and was frustrated cause of the matchmaking system.
Damn!
I'd have to keep that... Some kind of ornament or momento!
now *that's* how I like macs. Artsy fartsy testaments to the tribulations of life in a challenging environment. With bullet holes.
Maybe they're trying to turn the Middle-east conflict into a PC-Mac flame war...
Is this why its called the holy (hole-y) land ; )
Thats what you get for putting stickers on a macbook! bitch!
"Typical of all Jews"?
Wow, as a Jew, I take a heck of a lot of offense to that. It's just a specious a statement as what the OP said"
@(Unverified) That contributes nothing to the discourse.
is there an app for that?
@luqmaninbmore
Yah, but it's still true, no?
Considering that the majority of Israeli produce is made via Palestinian and Israeli Arab labor, and that the majority of owners as of late are Israeli Arabs, your high minded ideal is hurtful to the very people you want to help.
Support groups like B'Tzelem and others who want to get rid of "Psychological imbalance". There are plenty of people on both sides who want peace and are willing to do more than lip service it.
@(Unverified)
No, it's really not. For one thing, you have no way of knowing if the guards *were* Jewish. Israeli Arabs, especially Druz, also serve in the IDF.
@engadgethead
Maybe because this is a gadget and technology news website???? Just maybe??
At least it's out of its misery.
I can see the new commercial now:
"Hello, I'm a PC... Umm... Mac, why didn't you give your introduction. You usually go first. Mac?! Hello... Wake up... OH MY GOD MAC'S BEEN SHOT!"
@Jerome36 - Or an alternate commercial staring an Israeli Security guy standing over the still smoldering Macbook:
"I'm a PC and Windows 7 was MY idea".
Israel, shooting first, asking questions later since 1947
@sabih786 1948.