Posted on 06/11/2002 2:24:16 PM PDT by callisto
Fox News breaking with the dismissal of 1 out of 9 charges against Richard Reid, alleged shoe bomber for failure to conform to Congress's new anti-terrorism law. I believe I heard that the charge was "attempting to wreck a passenger vehicle."..Still developing.
Did anyone else catch more of the story?
Does a plane not fit that definition?
Just go to the American Heritage Dictionary. First definition.
1a. A device or structure for transporting persons or things; a conveyance: a space vehicle. b. A self-propelled conveyance that runs on tires; a motor vehicle.
If a space vehicle is a vehicle, why isn't an airplance.
Show me how a plane is not a device or structure to transport persons.
Geeesh!
Hmmm...
Maybe you mean they IS debating the word vehicle?
Sec. 1993. Terrorist attacks and other acts of violence against mass transportation systemsI formatted fast because I have to run so I hope that reads legibly.But the Judge is correct. Congress defined many words, but not "vehicle." They failed to omit loopholes in their legislation.
`(a) GENERAL PROHIBITIONS- Whoever willfully--
`(1) wrecks, derails, sets fire to, or disables a mass transportation vehicle or ferry;
`(2) places or causes to be placed any biological agent or toxin for use as a weapon, destructive substance, or destructive device in, upon, or near a mass transportation vehicle or ferry, without previously obtaining the permission of the mass transportation provider, and with intent to endanger the safety of any passenger or employee of the mass transportation provider, or with a reckless disregard for the safety of human life;
`(3) sets fire to, or places any biological agent or toxin for use as a weapon, destructive substance, or destructive device in, upon, or near any garage, terminal, structure, supply, or facility used in the operation of, or in support of the operation of, a mass transportation vehicle or ferry, without previously obtaining the permission of the mass transportation provider, and knowing or having reason to know such activity would likely derail, disable, or wreck a mass transportation vehicle or ferry used, operated, or employed by the mass transportation provider;
`(4) removes appurtenances from, damages, or otherwise impairs the operation of a mass transportation signal system, including a train control system, centralized dispatching system, or rail grade crossing warning signal without authorization from the mass transportation provider;
`(5) interferes with, disables, or incapacitates any dispatcher, driver, captain, or person while they are employed in dispatching, operating, or maintaining a mass transportation vehicle or ferry, with intent to endanger the safety of any passenger or employee of the mass transportation provider, or with a reckless disregard for the safety of human life;
`(6) commits an act, including the use of a dangerous weapon, with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury to an employee or passenger of a mass transportation provider or any other person while any of the foregoing are on the property of a mass transportation provider;
`(7) conveys or causes to be conveyed false information, knowing the information to be false, concerning an attempt or alleged attempt being made or to be made, to do any act which would be a crime prohibited by this subsection; or
`(8) attempts, threatens, or conspires to do any of the aforesaid acts, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both, if such act is committed, or in the case of a threat or conspiracy such act would be committed, on, against, or affecting a mass transportation provider engaged in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or if in the course of committing such act, that person travels or communicates across a State line in order to commit such act, or transports materials across a State line in aid of the commission of such act.
`(b) AGGRAVATED OFFENSE- Whoever commits an offense under subsection (a) in a circumstance in which--
`(1) the mass transportation vehicle or ferry was carrying a passenger at the time of the offense; or
`(2) the offense has resulted in the death of any person, shall be guilty of an aggravated form of the offense and shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for a term of years or for life, or both.
`(c) DEFINITIONS- In this section--
`(1) the term `biological agent' has the meaning given to that term in section 178(1) of this title;
`(2) the term `dangerous weapon' has the meaning given to that term in section 930 of this title;
`(3) the term `destructive device' has the meaning given to that term in section 921(a)(4) of this title;
`(4) the term `destructive substance' has the meaning given to that term in section 31 of this title;
`(5) the term `mass transportation' has the meaning given to that term in section 5302(a)(7) of title 49, United States Code, except that the term shall include schoolbus, charter, and sightseeing transportation;
`(6) the term `serious bodily injury' has the meaning given to that term in section 1365 of this title;
`(7) the term `State' has the meaning given to that term in section 2266 of this title; and
`(8) the term `toxin' has the meaning given to that term in section 178(2) of this title.'.
(f) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- The analysis of chapter 97 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end:
`1993. Terrorist attacks and other acts of violence against mass transportation systems.'.
Just a wild-assed, off the wall guess, but they probably don't have any evidence at all linking Reid to the 9/11 conspiracy.
Why do you always make your points in such a supercilious, smart-a** tone?
By the way, are you going to admit that you were wrong last night to suggest that Dirty Bomber Padilla was in jail at the time of the OKC bombing? I've flagged you to the evidence on another thread, but you haven't responded.
Did the tossed charge carry a possible death penalty?
Darn. The old "evidence" loophole. I hate when that happens.
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.