Don't Try This Relaxation Technique At Home, Kids!

Security officials at Los Angeles International Airport last Tuesday thought there was something suspicious about Fadhel Al-Maliki, a 35-year-old Iraqi who lives in Atlantic City, NJ.  So they selected him for secondary screening.  Al-Maliki then volunteered to TSA agents that he thought he knew what might have set off the metal detector when he passed through it.

He then removed a rock, chewing gum and thin wire filament from his rectum.  He told investigators the objects he'd placed inside himself were used to alleviate stress.

Airport police briefly blocked roads leading to the airport, and the flight to Philadelphia that Al-Maliki did not board was diverted to Las Vegas because Al-Maliki's bag was in the cargo hold of that flight.  And while authorties said the piece of luggage had been screened, they wanted to make absolutely certain.

Investigators ruled out an early theory that Al-Maliki, who said he'd worked as a security guard, was testing security, looking for weaknesses in the passenger screening process.  And though he was arrested on suspicion of possessing a destructive device, those charges were quickly dropped.  However, federal officials are reviewing his immigration status because information on his green card may have been out of date.

And so, at least for March, Fadhel Al-Maliki wins this blogger's award for having the most ridiculous carry-on items on his person.  Wanna relax?  How about an iPod with club music, next time, sir?