Too Stupid For Words

Sometimes people will do something so stupid that you just know they would be dead if breathing wasn't an involuntary bodily function -- because otherwise there's no way they'd be able to breathe and walk at the same time. Consider this bit of idiocy in Paris, France.

A new internet company thought they had come up with a great way to advertise their business. They heavily advertised that they would be throwing envelopes containing from 5 to 500 Euros from the top of a bus near the Eiffel Tower. When it came time for the publicity stunt, over 5,000 people had shown up (I'm surprised it wasn't more than that).

Sounding completely brain-dead, a spokesman for the company said, "We couldn't anticipate that there would be so many people." Really? You promise to give away free money in the middle of a world-wide recession, and you don't think thousands of desperate people will show up?

Then the police show they're not much smarter (if any) than the promoters of the event. They take one look at the crowd and decide they represent a "security threat". But instead of just calling for reinforcements, they convince the promoters to call off the event.

Now what do you think happened next? I probably insulted you with that question, because any third-grader would know that a riot was going to happen. How could it not? You now have thousands of very angry people in a small space.

The crowd started to break windows and turn over some cars. Finally, the riot police were called out, and at least ten people were arrested before they finally got control of the situation.

Everyone involved should have their asses kicked -- the promoters, the police and the crowd. I don't think there was a fully-functioning brain in the lot.

NOTE -- The promoters now claim they will give the money to some charity.