http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/20 ... PNheadlineQuote:
The satirical newspaper The Onion may have gone a little too far with their “reporting” this morning, causing the Capitol Hill police to get involved.
The first tweet, with a hashtag of #CongressHostage, sent out at 10:33 a.m. said, “BREAKING: Witnesses reporting screams and gunfire heard inside Capitol building.”
That was followed by a second, more disturbing tweet at 10:44 a.m.: “BREAKING: Capitol building being evacuated. 12 children held hostage by group of armed congressmen. #CongressHostage”
It wasn’t a case of hacking. It was done on purpose.
“It’s just the Onion’s usual satire, you’ll see it unfold,” said Anne Finn, a spokeswoman for The Onion, who also apologized for any confusion.
The magazine also posted a story on its website, explaining in greater detail that during the fake “hostage situation,” House Speaker John Boehner told FBI negotiators that Congress needed $12 trillion.
They also had this picture to go with
the story:
Yes that's Boehner holding a semiautomatic pistol to the head of a school girl outside the Capitol steps.
I'm sort of indifferent, but I think satire does need to have taste...and considering the reality of terrorism, perhaps this is a bit much. I read it and it didn't really make me laugh either, though admittedly I smirked a bit. Thoughts?
