Mid-flight sexual play lands US couple afoul of anti-terrorism law

The News International ^ | Nov 14, 2006 | anonymous

[bigdcaldavis]

I've already pointed out that Hitlery would use the Patriot Act to silence the following :

anti-abortion activists
anti-public school activists (aka homeschoolers)
gun rights activists
border security activists
anti-North American Union activists
anti-HitleryCare activists
anti-gay activists
property rights activists

Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

Just to add some perpsective -- the article said could land them in jail for 20 years. I'm sure if there are no priors, no other aggravating circumstances, etc. etc. this will all get pled down - bottom line is that this guy won't be threatening any crewmembers any time soon. He might even find himself on some "check this guy out" lists. My guess is that the punishment will fit the crime. Hell, his co-workers are probably already having some fun with this which is to be expected.

[wideawake]

So you agree that they're terrorists?

The Patriot Act does not deal exclusively with terrorism.

It also deals with obnoxious assholes who get their jollies by threatening crewmembers who are attempting to safely transport other citizens safely from point A to point B.

[pabianice]

On a second warning from the flight attendant, Persing snapped back threatening the flight attendant with "serious consequences" if he did not leave them alone.

Wait, don't tell me. This assh*le is a Democrat and a lawyer, right?

[Ole Okie]

Yes. But it's a preposterous use of the Patriot Act. Why? Explosive Orgasm?

Terrifying thought! Altitude really affects the process, eh?

[Sir Gawain]

The Patriot Act does not deal exclusively with terrorism. It also deals with obnoxious assholes who get their jollies by threatening crewmembers who are attempting to safely transport other citizens safely from point A to point B.

The Patriot Act isn't all about terrorism? ROTFL

H.R.3162 Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001 (Enrolled as Agreed to or Passed by Both House and Senate)

Funny, sounds like it has to do with terrorism to me.

So there weren't laws already on the books dealing with unruly passengers? It was necessary to include these new laws in the Patriot Act?

[theDentist]

Your forgot "Talk Radio"

[TNdandelion]

I'd like to know exactly what the guy said. Did he threaten to attack or kill the flight attendant?

I don't blame the passengers for being uncomfortable. They were in their 40's for goodness sake! It's like watching grandma and grandpa engaging in sex play! Blech!

[TankerKC]

"Sexual play" did not get them in trouble with the law - threatening a crewmember did.

Thank you.

[Niteranger68]

On a second warning from the flight attendant, Persing snapped back threatening the flight attendant with "serious consequences" if he did not leave them alone.

Now I understand. To a male flight attendant, "excuse me" can sound threatening.

[Just another Joe]

I don't blame the passengers for being uncomfortable. They were in their 40's for goodness sake! It's like watching grandma and grandpa engaging in sex play! Blech!

Hey, HEY, my wife and I are in our 40s and it wouldn't bother me at all to see someone like us snuggling and kissing on a plane.

AGE DISCRIMINATION!!!

;^P

[pandoraou812]

Thanks my 1st laugh of the day!!! And I sure needed 1!

[highball]

We'll see.

I don't know enough about this situation. "He was threatening me" is the standard excuse from someone with a little authority to exercise it. Hard to disprove, and it justifies a very strong response.

In any case, the Patriot Act? Is that in any way justified?

[wideawake]

The Patriot Act isn't all about terrorism?

Apparently you have never bothered to read the patriot Act.

It deals with many matters of security, not just terrorism.

Funny, sounds like it has to do with terrorism to me.

I never said it didn't have anything to do with terrorism.

That is your mistrepresentation of what I wrote.

I actually said that the Patriot Act does not deal exclusively with terrorism.

There are extensive sections dealing with money-laundering, for example. Not all money-laundering is terrorism-related, just as not all threats against airplane crewmembers are terrorism-related.

So there weren't laws already on the books dealing with unruly passengers?

People who understand how law in America works - i.e. people unlike yourself - realize that when new laws are passed, they often amend and supersede old laws.

The current law in force regarding threatening airplane crewmembers is the Patriot Act.

Get a clue.

[Syllojism]

Now just imagine how Hitlery Klintoon could use the Patriot Act if elected president. Speak out against eminent domain, which is a key component of the Communist Manifesto (which Hitlery and her ilk follow like a football playbook)? Violation of the Patriot Act. Speak out in favor of the Federal Marriage Amendment and against same-sex marriage? Violation of the Patriot Act. Say that global warming is a neo-lib-invented lie? Violation of the Patriot Act. Speak out in favor of border security and against illegal immigration and the North American Union? Violation of the Patriot Act.

You're right. It's open to abuse by an inscrupulous executive branch. Do you support repealing it?

[sine_nomine]

"Not feeling good" would have been a better argument.

[Sir Gawain]

Go lick some more boots.

[pandoraou812]

I don't think so. I do know that if you were drunk or caused a fight on a plane years ago before the Act that you were in big trouble. I don't really know what to think here. On another thread it was said by his lawyer he was sick or something. If he was asked twice to remove his head from her lap, he should of the 1st time or explained he was sick. Unless he was very rude or loud I don't see why there should have been a problem. Seats do recline so if he was sick he could have reclined. If there are passengers willing to back up the flight attendant then thats another story. I guess the lesson here is do not threaten a flight attendant. As for the Patriot Act I think unless he threatened the whole plane it shouldn't be used. I really don't know enough about it myself and theres conflicting reports on what was going on. We need to hear from passengers.

[Sir Gawain]

The current law in force regarding threatening airplane crewmembers is the Patriot Act.

Then I'm sure you can point me to the section in the Patriot Act that deals with this undefined "threat" by the passenger on a single attendant.

Good luck with that.

[Salgak]

Yes, and since 9/11, telling a cabin crew drone to mind their own business considered "threatening". . . Stews are getting the same attitude the TSA barneyfifedrones are. ..