David Banach indicted under USA PATRTIOT ACT

Global News Matrix ^ | March 24, 2005 | MatrixMetaphore

[MatrixMetaphore]

This makes me sick. I've researched this a great deal and discovered that he can be charged with various other violations. This is an abuse of power. Ugh!

[Fierce Allegiance]

Welcome to FR.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I feel so much safer now.

[antiRepublicrat]

"We'll only use the PATRIOT Act against terrorists."

I didn't believe it then, and I certainly don't believe it now. This is what happens when you give a government more power.

[End Times Sentinel]

He's an idiot, not a terrorist.  This is not what the Act was intended for.

 

Owl_Eagle

[dsc]

"We take the alleged actions of Mr. Banach very seriously, and we will not condone lying to federal agents," U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie said."

This is a way to attack the 5th amendment through the back door.

It's very close to making "failure to confess" a crime.

[JohnnyZ]

This makes me sick. I've researched this a great deal and discovered that he can be charged with various other violations.

I agree, he should be charged with all those other violations too. I can't believe they're going easy on him!!!

[ladtx]

How do you use a laser to look at the stars?

[MatrixMetaphore]

I fully agree. If you look at any of my sites, Global News Matrix or Total Mind Blow, you'll see that I fully support altering his charges.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Trying to crash planes is terrorism.

Prosecuting him sounds appropriate to me.

[JohnnyZ]

This is a way to attack the 5th amendment through the back door. It's very close to making "failure to confess" a crime.

Apparently you don't understand the 5th. It doesn't mean you have the right to lie, it means you have the right to not answer.

[MEG33]

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nj/publicaffairs/NJ_Press/files/pdffiles/banachcomplaint0104.pdf

Here is the Criminal Complaint

[jdm]

Once would have been considered non-purposeful conduct or contact, but the plane's windshield was hit three times. Once = accident; Thrice = hmmmmmm....

[dead]

I agree. They should charge him under the "Weirdo Dumbass Act."

We should also consider "Weirdo Dumbass" charges against anybody who believed that the Patriot Act was only going to be used against terrorists.

[Pylot]

Well here is the first example of the prosecution of a citizen under a law created and allegedly reserved for terrorists.

Pure BS.

[Servant of the 9]

The man is guilty of "Felony Stupid" he ought to be charged with every single charge possible.

If he had dropped a 747 into New York City, the same people who think he is being picked on would want to lynch him.
The only reason it didn't happen was his incompetence, and that is a damned poor defense.

SO9

[MacDorcha]

Actualyl, pre-9/11 it was considered a criminal act to interfere with a pilot in any way.

Just FYI.

[MatrixMetaphore]

He wasn't trying to crash a plane. He was using the laser to point at stars. Green lasers are powerful enough to outline constellations. In fact, it's one of the reasons they are produced.

[StolarStorm]

Exactly, you don't. They guy was probably drunk and thought it would be funny to screw up an airplane. Throw the book at him.