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Pics in link. Costumes include falling plastic dolls, and smug owners.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/05/anger-over-twin-towers-cosplayers/

Two visitors to the Dragon Con fantasy and sci-fi convention in Atlanta, Georgia, sparked anger over the weekend with cosplay outfits that seemed to depict the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York.

The pair were dressed in matching cardboard skyscraper costumes, with crepe paper ‘flames’ at the top of each, and attached dolls ‘falling’ from buildings. They both wore Donald Trump campaign-style caps - albeit with the slogan ‘Make FishCenter Great Again,’ a reference to an Adult Swim comedy programme.

Dragon Con, “one of the largest pop culture conventions in the world” according to its organisers, plays host to 70,000 visitors each year at Augusta’s Peachtree Centre.

Images of the duo were widely shared on social media and on Reddit, where they provoked angry responses.

I'd be amazed if they didn't get people in their faces telling them they were idiots.
It raises the question of how soon is too soon? In years to come there will be people old enough to do this kind of thing, that were not alive when it happened.

Edit: They were apparently not Dragon Con attendees, have amended title.
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/mb/news/local/wtc-costume-at-dragon-con-depicts-dolls-jumping-from-buildings/313846219

A rep for DragonCon told First Coast News that they considered the costume “offensive, distasteful and completely inappropriate…We became aware of these individuals in the evening and dispatched both Dragon Con and hotel security to find them, pull their badges, and escort them from the property for violating convention policies. They had apparently left the Dragon Con convention area shortly after the photographs were taken.” The representative added, “Based on other photographs we have seen, we do not believe that these individuals were members of Dragon Con, meaning that they had not purchased badges that would have allowed them to enter the convention.”

22.3 years, isn't it?

It's never to soon if you are willing to face the backlash. My main question is less "why did you dress up in a stupid costume" and more of "what does 9/11 and the Twin Towers have to do with any sort of 'Con".

But after reading the article it seems that we are missing the key part of the whole situation since it doesn't look like anybody actually knows what they are supposed to be.

If they are the Twin Towers, the whole "what does it have to do with the 'Con" question stands. If they are the weird random Manga, then I guess it is relevant. They should have known that people would get offended due to misunderstanding, and people who get offended just have to deal with the fact that there will always be offensive stuff.

"what does 9/11 and the Twin Towers have to do with any sort of 'Con".

This. So confused right now XD

 LordofHats wrote:

"what does 9/11 and the Twin Towers have to do with any sort of 'Con".

This. So confused right now XD

ConspiraCon 2016, where conspiracy theories come to life. Cosplay jet fuel containers must have orange tipped spouts and steel beams must be peace tied.

 d-usa wrote:
what does 9/11 and the Twin Towers have to do with any sort of 'Con".

Clearly they are con men.

 d-usa wrote:
ConspiraCon 2016, where conspiracy theories come to life. Cosplay jet fuel containers must have orange tipped spouts and steel beams must be peace tied.

Jet fuel might melt steel beams, but what about the chemtrail sprayers? Did you think about that? Where's your jokes now!?!?!??!?!?

 LordofHats wrote:

"what does 9/11 and the Twin Towers have to do with any sort of 'Con".

This. So confused right now XD

Because 9/11 was a Con

Eh, Holocaust jokes and even 9/11 jokes usually get a pass from me, but I think cosplay is a step too far.

I'd be just as upset if someone cosplayed as Hitler as I am with the 9/11 thing.

 Peregrine wrote:

 d-usa wrote:
ConspiraCon 2016, where conspiracy theories come to life. Cosplay jet fuel containers must have orange tipped spouts and steel beams must be peace tied.

Jet fuel might melt steel beams, but what about the chemtrail sprayers? Did you think about that? Where's your jokes now!?!?!??!?!?

As your forums US Government representative for atmospheric sciences, you can trust me when I tell you that there is no such thing as chemtrails.

 jreilly89 wrote:
Eh, Holocaust jokes and even 9/11 jokes usually get a pass from me, but I think cosplay is a step too far.

I'd be just as upset if someone cosplayed as Hitler as I am with the 9/11 thing.

It sounds like they might not have been cosplayers but idiot provocateurs. Regardless, I'd support the Con in removing them.
1. Terribly inappropriate.
2. Not any cosplay that I am aware of.
3. They might have avoided some serious violence. To quote the immortal bard: "I have beaten wholesale ass for less."

 djones520 wrote:

 Peregrine wrote:

 d-usa wrote:
ConspiraCon 2016, where conspiracy theories come to life. Cosplay jet fuel containers must have orange tipped spouts and steel beams must be peace tied.

Jet fuel might melt steel beams, but what about the chemtrail sprayers? Did you think about that? Where's your jokes now!?!?!??!?!?

As your forums US Government representative for atmospheric sciences, you can trust me when I tell you that there is no such thing as chemtrails.

As an atmospheric scientist, you have the experience and knowledge to tell us the truth. But as a US Government representative you also have the motivation to lie to us.

This is very conflicting...

As distasteful and disgusting as this is, it's important to recognize that part of being in a democracy is putting up with gak stuff:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Yes, I know that so far, nobody on dakka has called on their rights to be taken away from them, but society in general may make a knee-jerk reaction, understandable though that may be...

The price of freedom is tolerating gak like these particular cos players...

 Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
As distasteful and disgusting as this is, it's important to recognize that part of being in a democracy is putting up with gak stuff:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Yes, I know that so far, nobody on dakka has called on their rights to be taken away from them, but society in general may make a knee-jerk reaction, understandable though that may be...

The price of freedom is tolerating gak like these particular cos players...

Unless the Con is a gov't agency they would have been well within their rights to boot those ass hats. Private organizations do not have to tolerate gak like these particular cos players.

 Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
As distasteful and disgusting as this is, it's important to recognize that part of being in a democracy is putting up with gak stuff:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Yes, I know that so far, nobody on dakka has called on their rights to be taken away from them, but society in general may make a knee-jerk reaction, understandable though that may be...

The price of freedom is tolerating gak like these particular cos players...

All right Brit, I'll school you on the Constitution if you school me on why haggis hasn't been declared a WMD.

Your quote is accurate. Note it says Congress. The First Amendment is applicable to government, not private action. The Con is fully within its rights to trespass their sorry asses.
Now whats with haggis?

Genuine question for Frazz and CptJake: what things apply and what things don't apply in these types of situation?

Obviously, the con couldn't throw them out simply for being black, if they were black, as an example

so doesn't first amendment protection also apply in private buildings and not just federal buildings? Shopes, cafes, that kind of thing?

 Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
Genuine question for Frazz and CptJake: what things apply and what things don't apply in these types of situation?

Obviously, the con couldn't throw them out simply for being black, if they were black, as an example

so doesn't first amendment protection also apply in private buildings and not just federal buildings? Shopes, cafes, that kind of thing?

The Con is a private event, so they can restrict entry to anyone desired to the fullest extent permitted by law. in fact if this is a purely private function they could exclude anyone.
IIRC.

This is clouded by public venues, and of course the aforementioned local legislation. I am not that versed in it, so will willingly bow to those more knowledgeable on this branch of the law. Manchu?

I would have offered to make their costumes more accurate...with real fire.

 Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
Genuine question for Frazz and CptJake: what things apply and what things don't apply in these types of situation?

Obviously, the con couldn't throw them out simply for being black, if they were black, as an example

so doesn't first amendment protection also apply in private buildings and not just federal buildings? Shopes, cafes, that kind of thing?

Lots of 'it depends'.

In some states a convention center may be viewed as a public space, as a mall is in some places. But in others not so much. For example, a judge recently ruled the Mall Of America was private and could exclude BLM protesters from holding protests in the mall.

Earlier a SCOTUS case ( http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/assembly-on-private-property)

The 1980 U.S. Supreme Court case Pruneyard Shopping Center v. Robins, discussed below, said the U.S. Constitution does not give individuals an absolute right to enter and remain on private property to exercise their right to free expression.

Same article notes how wacky CA has determined "all private property is held subject to the power of government to regulate its use for the public welfare.” I guess in CA there really is no genuine concept of 'private property' if you take that quote to heart.

I based my original opinion on the fact that this event was not open to the public, visitors MUST purchase a pass to be allowed there. I would be willing to bet those passes have small print giving the con staff the right to revoke the pass for any reason. So, not really a public event and the con is allowed to control who is allowed in or not...




Automatically Appended Next Post:
Just found the following:

Dragon Con reserves the right to revoke or suspend memberships and passes. If an individual breaks the rules of the convention, he or she may be barred from the convention, either for several hours (to sober up, perhaps) or for the rest of the event. If an individual breaks the law – city, state or federal – he or she will be arrested. If you have been accused of harassment and feel that you were treated unfairly you may appeal to the convention chair, but that decision will be final.

http://dragoncon.org/?q=convention_policies

So the con folks could boot the crap bags.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
It really is similar to Clinton and Trump both having protestors booted from their respective rallies. In those cases you can make a better case for the protestors (it being a political rally and all) yet no one bats an eye when protestors get booted out by security.

 SlaveToDorkness wrote:
I would have offered to make their costumes more accurate...with real fire.

Perhaps a billowing cloud of asbestos dust to finish?

 djones520 wrote:
As your forums US Government representative for atmospheric sciences, you can trust me when I tell you that there is no such thing as chemtrails.

But that's exactly what someone working with the chemtrails would say! Proof of the chemtrail conspiracy! See how hard people work to suppress the truth!

 Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
Obviously, the con couldn't throw them out simply for being black, if they were black, as an example

so doesn't first amendment protection also apply in private buildings and not just federal buildings? Shopes, cafes, that kind of thing?

The reason the con can't throw them out for being black is that there are laws explicitly banning businesses from refusing service because of race. No such laws exist for wearing offensive costumes, so the general rule of "private property owners can exclude whoever they want for whatever reasons they want" applies.

Fairly common mistake to confuse 1st Amendment rights (which basically just means the government can't unduly regulate speech) with some sort of magical immunity to criticism for stupid/offensive statements.

I would say that such a poorly thought out costume is exactly the kind of thing that then leads to loss of employment, expulsion from school, etc. But looking at those two, I don't think it is an issue.

 Frazzled wrote:
I am not that versed in it, so will willingly bow to those more knowledgeable on this branch of the law. Manchu?

I don't practice con law but I think the issue is, we're not talking about a protected class.

 notprop wrote:

 SlaveToDorkness wrote:
I would have offered to make their costumes more accurate...with real fire.

Perhaps a billowing cloud of asbestos dust to finish?

That would potentially affect other people around them, asbestos fibres in the air are not cool

Setting them on fire is fine, everyone can run away from the fire. Can't run from what you can't see.

Stupid costumes are stupid and you should expect backlash.

Dragon Con is a SciFi and Fantasy convention. This isn't a manga theme or anything. From the link in the first picture, you can see how "happy" the couple are pissing people off.

I put this one down as donkey-caves being donkey-caves.

I like a good dark joke as much as the next guy, but this is just badly done. Piss poor effort, the dolls are way out of scale and why are they naked?

This is like putting on a green t-shirt and Spock ears and trying get in free because "I'm Link!"

However, one commenter on Facebook denied that the outfits were intended to represent the World Trade Center. “There is a Japanese anime that centers around two buildings that are being burned by demonic wraiths and during the climax, the victims in the buildings jump to their deaths,” said Kurt Kessler.

Apparently there is an anime that this MAY drawn from. It is called Terror in Resonance. Never seen it, googled it and found it similar in that there are buildings destroyed by explosions. I am skeptical that it is even a reference to that though. Very poor taste anyway you spin it.

 conker249 wrote:

However, one commenter on Facebook denied that the outfits were intended to represent the World Trade Center. “There is a Japanese anime that centers around two buildings that are being burned by demonic wraiths and during the climax, the victims in the buildings jump to their deaths,” said Kurt Kessler.

Apparently there is an anime that this MAY drawn from. It is called Terror in Resonance. Never seen it, googled it and found it similar in that there are buildings destroyed by explosions. I am skeptical that it is even a reference to that though. Very poor taste anyway you spin it.

Same here.


I think that they were a couple of IRL trolls doing it for "THE LULZ". Especially so close to the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attack.


I knew people who died at the World Trade Center, and I have good friend who narrowly dodged the bullet at the Pentagon. So, if I had run into them, I would've been hard pressed not to lay a cussing on them. While I'm a firm believer in that speech should be protected no matter how unpopular, the Con was well within their rights to escort them from the property (privately run event). What I'm surprised at is neither of them toted an ass whipping from some convention attendee.

 conker249 wrote:

However, one commenter on Facebook denied that the outfits were intended to represent the World Trade Center. “There is a Japanese anime that centers around two buildings that are being burned by demonic wraiths and during the climax, the victims in the buildings jump to their deaths,” said Kurt Kessler.

Apparently there is an anime that this MAY drawn from. It is called Terror in Resonance. Never seen it, googled it and found it similar in that there are buildings destroyed by explosions. I am skeptical that it is even a reference to that though. Very poor taste anyway you spin it.

If that is the case, it's a very poor attempt. They could easily have dressed as the main characters of the series if they wanted to cosplay it. While there is a "twin towered" building in Japan that is featured as being attack in Terror in Resonance, it's a minor plot point and not one anyone whose seen the show will immediately recognize as a reference to the series.

 LordofHats wrote:

 conker249 wrote:

However, one commenter on Facebook denied that the outfits were intended to represent the World Trade Center. “There is a Japanese anime that centers around two buildings that are being burned by demonic wraiths and during the climax, the victims in the buildings jump to their deaths,” said Kurt Kessler.

Apparently there is an anime that this MAY drawn from. It is called Terror in Resonance. Never seen it, googled it and found it similar in that there are buildings destroyed by explosions. I am skeptical that it is even a reference to that though. Very poor taste anyway you spin it.

If that is the case, it's a very poor attempt. They could easily have dressed as the main characters of the series if they wanted to cosplay it. While there is a "twin towered" building in Japan that is featured as being attack in Terror in Resonance, it's a minor plot point and not one anyone whose seen the show will immediately recognize as a reference to the series.

Plus they were wearing Trump hats as some form of protest. From what I've read about it recently they should be wearing keffiyeh.