[A_perfect_lady]

Well, but threatening people has always been illegal. It didn't become illegal because of the Patriot Act.

[RinaseaofDs]

Getting thirty years for a threat is a bit much, however, don't you think?

Sandy Berger got what for stealing secrets? How about John Deutch?

[monday]

"Well, but threatening people has always been illegal. It didn't become illegal because of the Patriot Act."

Honestly, was the flight attendant afraid? I quote: "Persing snapped back threatening the flight attendant with "serious consequences" if he did not leave them alone."

Would you be 'frightened' at that, or, much more likely in my opinion, 'angry'? Remember, for a threat to be against the law, the victim has to be fearful of imminent physical attack.

If airlines don't want people making out on their flights, they should lobby congress to pass a law against it, then if people break the law, they can be arrested for THAT upon landing.

This wasn't a terrorist threat. It was a whiny wanna be dictator who got angry that these people didn't snap to attention when he told them to stop doing something that isn't against the law, or even against any airlines policies that I am aware of.

[calex59]

Well, but threatening people has always been illegal. It didn't become illegal because of the Patriot Act.

Telling someone that there will be serious consequences is NOT a threat. It could mean a lot of things, such as reporting the airline employee to his/her superiors. Telling someone you are going to beat the crap out of them or kill them is a threat. This is an abuse of power. Basically what we have here is two people making out on a plane and being threatened with 20 years in jail for it. There is no way they are, or could be construed to be, terrorists, but yet they are being charged under the Patriot Act. Abuse of power, plain and simple.