The large Suitcase Stickers -- 16 inches by 12 inches -- were intended to help distinguish bags at airline kiosks, and perhaps as conversation pieces to those watching the endless carousel of boring luggage that is not theirs. The decals depict suitcases open at their corners to reveal photorealistic packets of white powder or money, erotic toys or an abducted flight attendant.

On Tuesday, CBC news reported (Novelty suitcase stickers go viral),

A pair of Vancouver entrepreneurs have taken the notion of making a suitcase stand out on the luggage rack to a whole new level.

The abducted flight attendant is one of four designs a pair of Vancouver entrepreneurs have developed to make luggage stand out on airport carousels. Colin Hart and Ryan McCormick have created large stickers that can be placed on luggage to give it the appearance that something strange or nefarious is going on.

The stickers make it appear that the suitcases have been ripped open to expose either stacks of money, cocaine, an abducted flight attendant or a case full of sex toys.

The pair operate a website that sells novelty items called thecheeky.com.

By yesterday, overreaction had set in: Montreal Gazette reports (Transport officials not amused by joke baggage decals),

"Joking around like this could possibly be a serious violation of the aeronautics act," said James Kusie, spokesman for Transport Minister John Baird, in an a e-mail.

"Joking about potentially trafficking illegal substances, or worse, is not funny, and the government will use the full force of the law to ensure Canadians who travel by air are safe."

Kusie said the stickers could violate Sec. 11 of the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, which states a person at an airport or in an airplane must not falsely declare they are carrying a weapon, explosive substance, incendiary device or any other item that could jeopardize the safety of the airport or airplane.

And if Canada thinks a photo is a declaration of what's inside a suitcase, beware rucksacks bearing those Shepard Fairey "Obey" stickers: Andre the Giant is probably not inside the bag.

The sticker-makers' response: Cheeky.com Stops Sales of Suitcase Stickers In Canada.:

Our intention has never been to cause risk or harm and was only to make stickers; stickers to put on a bag that might make people take a second glance and maybe smile... at the sticker. It's a sticker. Our exposure to this media attention has been fun but not fun enough to hang out in prison and this statement puts us in a very awkward place.

Okay, so the bound flight attendant is tasteless/offensive. But criminal? The terrorists aren't responsible for the chilling effect here, the bureaucrats are. Art seldom causes such a stir.