Earlier quoted context omitted.
That's perfectly reasonable. Sorry if it seemed like I was making a fuss. Wasn't trying to pass judgment on the kid; even if he bought a brand new clock and stuck it in a case, I still think that's an admirable quality. The media is picking it up as he "made" a clock, and to me that didn't fit well with the photos.
It's kind of annoying that everyone says he "made" a clock, which he clearly didn't do. To me, that's kind of a slam to kids his age who really are out there making clocks from scratch. But it's also very much a secondary or tertiary issue in the story, and just not worth fighting over.
Ahmed Mohammed mentioned his "invention" several times in his initial viral video, and again in interviews.
His "invention" always looked suspicious to me, in that it was an unlikely hobby electronics build, what with mains power and far from hobbyist looking circuit boards.
At 14, fibs like this are not cool. Fair enough his arrest was over the top, but this new information shouldn't be swept under the carpet just because it makes everyone from NASA to Obama look potentially foolish pandering to a fibber.
Also, I couldn't help but notice his (re)-tweet thanking Allah for the opportunity to visit the white house and all the other places.