http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,28009-2469944,00.html
This is a link detailing how the Patriot Act is being used to convict a couple that got a little too amorous on an airplane.
This is where treading on our civil liberties won’t make protecting us with a Patriot Act worth it.
You know, I blame television. Most people have been programmed to drone out at the TV which requires no participation at all. They just watch all of this go by but do nothing about it. Pretty soon you’re used to watching this stuff slip by. It’s not a surprise anymore. It started with search and seizure, then probable cause laws, racial profiling and has evolved into wire tapping, eaves dropping and
That’s why this blog is important. It’s an exchange of information and view points because you aren't forced to participate with a TV. We’re forced to think, to articulate; to consider something new. It’s our obligations as Americans to not take anything for granted. And don't let this stuff go by.
I think using the Patriot Act to convict someone for something it was not intended is wrong. The couple were a little cocky, granted. What about the First Amendment? I think it is an injustice because this is not an act of terrorism, no matter how risqué. This aggression will not stand, man.
Who’s with me?
Cazart
16 comments:
I'm definately with you on this one.
I'm thinking about it. I certainly don't know what the Patriot Act had to do with it. Must have been the threat against the flight attendant. But, if the airline told them to stop their actions, why didn't they? Why did they think they could just ignore the flight attendant? Am I missing something?
I'm thinking that his point is about the problems that the Patriot Act has created as a result of its being implemented, mainly in incidences that involve authorities and their overreactions to certain situations. But I could be wrong...
And also, just the ideas that the Patriot Act itself puts into people's minds, it's as though there's an unspoken agreement between government and society that you can get into trouble for doing just about anything now, or for appearing any way that demonstrates to the rest of us that you're still carefree enough to not be afraid.
The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion
What anonymous said....is absolutely brilliant.
Along those lines, in the immortal words of Janis Joplin, Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.
I like that one, good post.
What if the pursuit of freedom infringes on others definition of decency?
Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy.
George Carlin
That sort of applies to this post. If you can't bust this couple on the level, throw the Patriot Act at them. Categorize anyone as a terrorist and you can hang em high!
yes, but when we are talking about freedom, what about property rights. who owned the airline? the airline, as owner, has the right to dictate how people act on their planes. when they were told to stop, they should have.
John, you are funny! yes, i understand where he is coming from. just stating another point of view to keep it all in perspective.
Good to have John's slant on the subject! Especially since he agrees with me! I sincerely doubt you find me worthy of Tavia, she’s a peach and I’m just me. But I can endeavor....
Linnette,
GASP...
The injustice here is that the unruly couple: who are guilty of being unruly, and probably did talk smack to the attendant are being accused of violating the Patriot Act. Which was intended to keep a group of extremists from taking over an airplane and crashing it into a building. It’s an entirely wrong application of the Act.
It isn’t that they shouldn’t be punished. But the punishment is equivalent to sentencing the guy to castration.
The bigger point is if the government will apply the Patriot Act to prosecute people who pissed off a flight attendant, what will they do to us eventually? We can’t not care just because we don’t have sex on airplanes. Sometimes we have to stick up for the greater good. This stuff goes on every day.
Whatta ya think, did I get ya?
Let's face it.
If we're all being perfectly honest, if offered, we would not all fly Whitey Air?
Many of us would even pay a premium price (even if you mixed in an Italian every row or two, God forbid, Allah Akbar).
The silliest thing that I've heard in a while was the Muslim threat of a boycott of an airline. Ummm, an airplane bereft of Muslims seems like a winner to me.
p.s. - To show our fearlessness of the sleeper cells, check out this crude cartoon of Profit Mohammed:
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v
Anonymous,
Whitey Air, Soul Plane, we can just divvy airlines up by race. Blow up your own kind, leave us alone. Segregation of the airlines. I wonder whose planes will start dropping out of the air first? Probably the Rastafarian airlines because their ground crews are always seen lying around in the shade under the wing, smoking. Some people would see us regressing 50 years but I say go for it. The government should do it with water fountains, rest rooms and busses too.
Perhaps a less radical idea would be if Jet Blue set up suites in the over head compartments for mid air rendezvous described in the article. Wire some Direct TV up there and pump in some Barry White. If you can’t beat em, accommodate em and get paid. Who wouldn’t pay a little extra for THAT!
I’m just saying you're on to something.
Yes, you got me. You are right! The Patriot Act should not have any relevance here. But, the charges aren't being brought under the Patriot Act but rather under 49 U.S.C.A. § 46504:
An individual on an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States who, by assaulting or intimidating a flight crew member or flight attendant of the aircraft, interferes with the performance of the duties of the member or attendant or lessens the ability of the member or attendant to perform those duties, or attempts or conspires to do such an act, shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 20 years, or both.
There'a a copy of the indictment online.
But, yes, whatever happened, I do think it was blown all out of proportion.
Take that Drew!
My mom told you, didn't she?
http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/crim/uspersing101106ind.html
Linnette, you are right. The original post states they were being charged with violating the Patriot Act but that is, indeed, incorrect. Good catch. I am humbled to be in your presence.
Here is a link to the entire affidavit if you haven't seen it. all the juicy details. Still sounds like the severity of the charges may have been a stretch. I mean seriously, if FA-1 was so distracted by constant drink requests he may have some time management issues to contend with. Persing is absolutely guilty of being a jerk.
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