Sure it sounds pretty wonky. Then again, how is the Secret Service supposed to know the difference between someone making a joke and someone making a legitimate threat?
As mentioned in another post, it's actually a felony to make a threatening statement toward a US president.
Does that restrict a whole avenue of free speech? Absolutely! Do I agree with the restriction? Not really. But then again, it's not my job to identify and cirmcumvent any potential threats against the leader of a country.
The "bomb" analogy is similar. Mention the word as you're going through security at the airport and you get the whole body cavity search. THEN you get arrested and detained. Doesn't matter what you meant, how jokingly you said it, or whether or not the security personnel understood you were only joking. They have to take it seriously...to the extent of appearing ridiculous. It's their job and the safety of the passengers, airplanes, and who knows what else depends on their not making any mistakes. |
