Hamam al-Hammami, a mostly peaceful Omani, apparently attacked his FlyDubai captain with the standard crash axe that is part of the cockpit gear (flight attendants may have one too, at least on larger planes; unclear how the passengers are prevented from getting hold of that one since it needs to be available quickly in an emergency).
“Airline pilot” is a fairly standard Halloween costume. Via the addition of a crash axe, a child can become a warrior against colonialism and genocide as well. On the other hand, inexpensive as a Gemtor D56 might be, it is probably not wise to send the 8-year-old out into the neighborhood with one. I found this plastic training version online:
How much would it cost to 3D print something like this? ChatGPT gives a range:
Separately, Hamam al-Hammami finally answered the question that I wondered about in 2008 when TSA would hassle me for having a couple of coins left in a pocket and setting off the metal detector. “Any pilot could just reach for the crash axe so what difference does it make if he or she brings a tiny amount of metal on board? Given aggressive intent, you’d never use a Swiss Army knife if a crash axe were available.”
Who else has been in the news lately who might be a good inspiration for a Halloween costume?
Separately, who has good ideas for regional candies to hand out for Halloween? I don’t want to be boring and get the same Costco assortments that everyone else gets. It would be fun to give out a candy that is not available in Florida at all. We expect 500 to 1,000 children because our next-door neighbor is an insanely skilled Detroit automaker senior engineer who creates a Las Vegas-quality pirate environment, complete with animatronics.
Here are some ideas from ChatGPT:
ChatGPT estimates that full-size candy bars, which some neighbors do distribute, are $1.15 each while the Costco “fun-sized” chocolate assortment works out to about 14 cents per bar.
Let’s close by looking at Hamam al-Hammami’s plan:
> Separately, who has good ideas for regional candies to hand out for Halloween?
Food Lion to the rescue, trick-e-treaters will love these boiled peanuts, a Southern favorite (SNAP eligible, if you have some points on your card left):
https://foodlion.com/groceries/product/peanut-patch-original-boiled-southern-style-13-5-oz-can/265401
The choice for Phil’s Halloween costume is obvious, Claudine Gay, handing out boiled peanuts from a plastic punkin.
https://www.amazon.com/Glasses-Costume-Hipster-Costumes-Accessories/dp/B0F448R4SM/
Continuing to dress-up Phil for Halloween like his mommy would, how about this T-shirt:
https://www.amazon.com/Harvard-University-T-Shirt-Officially-Licensed/dp/B078S988C7
(Brand: New York Fashion Police)
or
https://www.amazon.com/Lgbt-Tarot-Card-Equal-Rights/dp/B0F8P4BTWC
which is festive for the season. Not too many “I’m a plagarist” T-shirts available.
Phil, your blog has become a smorgasbord of ideas for my family of New Americans, including my four wives (ages 8, 9, and two at 11-all of whom I purchased in Kabul last year). We have learned so much from your blog that we feel the need to give back in some way. Consequently, we have two great suggestions for your Halloween Festivities.
First, contract with your neighbor (the genius auto engineer) to produce an animatronic version of Hamam al-Hammami, replete with a Gemtor D56. Have your engineer friend then program Hamam to rampage through your front yard and “execute” three other animatronic Evil Creatures: 1) a Buttfucker; 2) An American Jew; 3) Another random American. Also, instead of candy (which rots the teeth of youngsters), have the animatronic Hamam give out real Gemtor D56s to the children with a complete explanation of how to use it at their schools Allahu Akbar!
Incredible the sheer amount of hatred Israel gets simply for existing. Not a year goes by someone is trying to pull an Israeli 9/11