Another Nineleven observance, reported by the aptly-named Orlando Sentinel:
A "suspicious" toy pony was blown up after it was found abandoned in the middle of a cul-de-sac near an Orange County elementary school this morning.These ponies generally are "non-threatening". Video here:The FurReal pony, an expensive, life-like toy, was investigated as a possible explosive device after someone called Orange County deputies to report it. A robot inspected the toy before a pack of explosives was placed near the stuffed animal and detonated.
Students at nearby Waterbridge Elementary School were placed on a modified lockdown in which no one was allowed in or out of the building during the investigation. The lockdown was lifted after the pony was blown up.
Orange County Sheriff's spokesman Jeff Williamson said the pony was later declared "non-threatening."
Lots of fun in this report, but the thing that I really notice, as I so often have noticed before, is the lip-smacking way newsreaders say "lockdown" -- and say it over and over.
Kudos to Super Al for this one. He started writing a post about about it and just couldn't go on -- one of those "where do you start" moments. He handed it over to your coarser-fiber'd editor for a suitably ham-fisted treatment.
Comments (6)
Fuck yeah!
Posted by Michael Dawson | September 11, 2010 8:55 PM
Posted on September 11, 2010 20:55
This is how a Nation of Heroes inspects its possibly explosive toys! On 911!
Posted by Michael Dawson | September 11, 2010 8:56 PM
Posted on September 11, 2010 20:56
I snagged it gleefully from Corrente, but it was simply too much. It's the kind of thing that tempts me into helpful admonitions, which just doesn't work for this. The whole point of the lock down is massive, gratuitous depravity. Blowing up the toy pony drives the lesson home.
Posted by Al Schumann | September 11, 2010 9:29 PM
Posted on September 11, 2010 21:29
If they react like this to a toy pony, how will they face the army of GI Joes waiting in garages and attics everywhere for their orders to strike?
Posted by Sean | September 11, 2010 9:47 PM
Posted on September 11, 2010 21:47
Al, you gave up too soon. "Gratuitous depravity" hits the nail on the head.
Posted by MJS | September 11, 2010 9:51 PM
Posted on September 11, 2010 21:51
Completely irrelevant, but I kind of can't get over the way the anchor says "Hwisper Glenn" at the beginning.
Posted by ethan | September 13, 2010 11:15 AM
Posted on September 13, 2010 11:15