Man banned from flight over t-shirt

[faceless]

(not the actual tshirt, but similar)
Flight ban for anti-Bush T-shirt

A passenger barred from a Qantas airlines flight for wearing a T-shirt depicting US President George Bush as a terrorist has threatened legal action. Allen Jasson said he was sticking up for the principle of free speech by challenging the decision by the Australian flag carrier. Mr Jasson was stopped as he was about to board the flight from Melbourne to London last Friday. Qantas said the T-shirt had potential to offend other passengers.

The T-shift features an image of President George W Bush, along with the slogan "World's Number One Terrorist". The 55-year-old computer specialist, who lives in London, had encountered difficulties with the same T-shirt on an earlier Qantas flight in December. After clearing the international security checks at Melbourne Airport, he reportedly approached the gate manager to congratulate him on the company's new-found open-mindedness.

At that point, Mr Jasson was ordered to remove the T-shirt after being told it was a security threat and an item which might cause offence to other passengers. He was offered the chance to board the flight wearing different clothing, but refused. "I am not prepared to go without the t-shirt. I might forfeit the fare, but I have made up my mind that I would rather stand up for the principle of free speech," he told Australian media.

A Qantas spokesman defended the airline's decision, saying: "Whether made verbally or on a T-shirt, comments with the potential to offend other customers or threaten the security of a Qantas group aircraft will not be tolerated".

-------------------

Does this mean that Qantas will remove all newspapers and other media because they could "offend"? I doubt it, they're just a bunch of bastards who will inflict their policies against freedom simply because they can. Who in the world would be offended anyway? someone who's stupid and blind enough not to realise that Bush IS a terrorist?

[IRiSHMaFIA]

That's bloody ridiculous. I'm sure if they were wearing a shirt that said "I love Bush" they'd not have a problem with it at all.

That wouldn't have caused anyone any grief at all, and I think the person should be applauded for wearing it. It's a true depiction of the man and since when should anyone face unfair treatment because of what they wear? Isn't it freedom of expression and their right as long as it's not threatening the safety of others?

[Skylace]

Things like this don't shock me anymore but they disgust me. I've seen far more "offensive" shirts on flights and experienced truly offensive behavior from passengers (and even crew). He is perfectly within his rights to wear it. If he was wearing one that had a picture of Osma Bin Laden I can assure you they wouldn't have batted an eyelash.

[girldorksrule]

[pirtybirdy]

[faceless]

[nar8or]

Im all for free speech and all that, but it does have to be said that wearing a terrrorism related t-shirt in the present climate is not necessarily the best idea.

[nekokate]