Originally Posted by Linkster

Unfortunately the US Code of Federal Regulations doesnt give leeway for jokes - thats why that kid that had the stuff posted on myspace got the visit from the SS - as well as many other people that hvae been "contacted" by the agency over the years
A real good example is when Air America did a humor skit a few years back that included a sound byte about gunshots and the prez - the governments response - "
"Even joking about shooting the president is a crime, let alone doing it on national radio . . . we are taking this very seriously," a government source explained. . . ."

In court cases the joke part of it has been upheld if everyone hearing the statement knew it was a joke - but that brings up the interesting case you see in airports now - with the signs about "joking about bombs" - the scenario seems to have changed considerably