Posted on 11/15/2006 7:11:46 AM PST by bigdcaldavis
WASHINGTON: A couple's ill-concealed sexual play aboard a Southwest Airlines flight from Los Angeles got them charged with violating the Patriot Act, intended for terrorist acts, and could land them in jail for 20 years.
According to their indictment, Carl Persing and Dawn Sewell were allegedly snuggling and kissing inappropriately, "making other passengers uncomfortable," when a flight attendant asked them to stop, reads the indictment filed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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.
The comment was enough to have the couple, both in their early 40s, arrested when the plane reached its destination in Raleigh, North Carolina, and charged with obstructing a flight attendant and with criminal association.
They have been placed under legal surveillance until their trial on February 5. If found guilty, they both could be sent to jail for up to 20 years.
Persing's lawyer William Peregoy said his client was not feeling well when he placed his head on his companion's lap, and that he only threatened the flight attendant with reporting him to his superiors on landing.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
They didn't even do that. They were "snuggling."
she offerred her honor
he honored her offer
and throughout the night
it was onher and offher
"Sexual play" did not get them in trouble with the law - threatening a crewmember did.
Yeah, right.
Yes. But it's a preposterous use of the Patriot Act. Why? Explosive Orgasm?
They were arrested for his remark about serious consequences. So much for free speech. This is the kind of thing people were concerned about when the Patriot Act was passed. Using a law meant for one thing to punish people who don't behave in a manner consistant with the enforcer's beliefs.
"Persing's lawyer William Peregoy said his client was not feeling well when he placed his head on his companion's lap..."
Don't you just love attorneys?
Well, but threatening people has always been illegal. It didn't become illegal because of the Patriot Act.
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.
Again, sex had nothing to do with it.
A passenger threatened a crewmember during a flight.
Threats against crewmembers were illegal before the Patriot Act and are considered serious matter by the Patriot Act as well.
This is total bull$hit. The flight attendent was probsbly ugly and jealous as hell that he/she had no chance in hell for that to happen to him/her.\
If their snuggling was making other people uncomfortable then they should have just stopped. If they want to be doing sexual things then they should be in a private plane. Threatening a flight attendant wasn't a smart idea. Maybe there were children on board. I think there is a time and place for everything and I guess this just wasn't the time to be snuggling for them.
So they're terrorists now? And freepers agree with that assessment? Make note of how freepers change their tune when President Hillary arrests them for far less using the same law.
So you agree that they're terrorists?
But for God's sake, DO NOT profile the passengers because that may hurt someone's FEELINGS!
I think the woman in the middle seat complained!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.