Irony
 

I don't really have much to say about this image (snapped at the MSP airport), or any smart questions to ask. I think it kind of speaks for itself. Ben Franklin is rolling over in his grave. Am I the only one who finds this terribly ironic and sad?

Wow, where is that at MSP? I've got to stop by the next time I'm there!

Um, so what. You have to call the office to schedule your use of the booth. There's nothing there to suggest what the requirements are for obtaining a permit other than having to call a phone number and ask, "Hey, when's the booth available?"

Um, it's the FREEDOM of expression booth, and you have to get a PERMIT to use it. See? Ironic.

I know, I know, the permit is to reserve the booth and yadda yadda yadda, but it just points to the issue that freedom of expression, so important to our founders that it was one of the first things they put in the Bill of Rights (shout out to Bill O'!), is restricted enough that you need a permit to express yourself.

Oh, and Jazz: the booth is in the dingy section of baggage claim between doors 4 & 5.

Reminds me of Military Intelligence. :D

Reminds me of this building in our town...
It's got a sign on it "Without Walls Ministries"
Uh....if it's 'without walls', why does it need a building????

i think someone tried to copyright "freedom of expression" and sent out a pile of cease and desist orders....

I think I'm due up in The Cities in mid-August, and I know I'll have to check bags for both trips since I'm playing in a couple of golf outings. I will bring my camera and take some other pictures just for hilarity's sake.

I will also be mentioning it to all my Minneapolis-based clients in the very near future.

Reminds me of the time that I heard about the Free Speech Zone, that was surrounded with concrete barricades and chain link fences.

http://www.greatdreams.com/political...og.cage_sm.jpg

looks fake :\

Perhaps I don't see the point of the sign

Yes, the religious literature on the counter seems a bit "on the nose" don't you think?

Anyone dare to call the phone number?

*snort*

Right, I have nothing better to do than photoshop a dumb sign to get indignant about and post. I took this picture my own self yesterday morning at MSP while trying to find the business office so I could mail home my fucking leatherman keychain I forgot to check.

Here's another shot from someone else entirely. (Scroll down the page a bit.)

http://sf0.org/JackieH/taskDetail/?id=9

Note the different wear on the letters.

So nyah. :p

just what is the purpose of a "Freedom of Expression" booth?

is this where the Moonies/Hari Krishnas have to go now when they want to do their thing at the airport? as opposed to just wandering around the terminal bugging the shit out of people?

Didn't notice you actually took the picture. Care to bother answering the rest of my post?

Is that in the humphrey or lindberg terminal? I live 20 minutes away from there.

The part about not seeing the point of the sign?

Well, the point of the sign is to tell you how to get a permit to use the freedom of expression booth. A permit. To express yourself freely. Irony, see?

It's in the Lindberg terminal I think - that's the main one, right?

Yep. I'll have to remember to look for it if i ever happen to end up out there.

quite obviously....

What is the point of the booth? It hardly makes any sense to someone who has never been to an airport with something like that.

Aaaah. It is, I think, where protestors, political advocates, and religious groups are corralled at the airport. I think someone above said it best - it's where the Hare Krishnas are now relegated, instead of being able to bug you in the terminal or concourses like they used to. I suppose it makes sense to prevent disrupting an already busy and chaotic space (especially because nobody but ticketed passengers are allowed past the security gates now, so the only place for public gathering of any sort is the terminal where people are trying to get their tickets and stuff). But I still think it's funny and odd, particularly the way they word it.

It's only ironic in the wrong context. It's funny for sure.

OK people, let's not overanalyize this...

Lurkette is spot-on with her observation of "irony." Good find.

Keep in mind, that song "Ironic" by Atlantis Morissette DOES NOT give examples of irony.

And rap music.