N.J. Man Indicted in Laser Beam Case, charged as a Terrist under Patriot Act, faces 30 yrs 3-23-05

[dmcowen674]

This man is clearly a Terrist of the highest magnitude. He should be executed as a Traitor.

3-23-2005 N.J. Man Indicted in Laser Beam Case

A man accused of pointing a green laser beam at a small passenger jet, temporarily blinding the pilot and co-pilot, was indicted Wednesday under the federal anti-terror Patriot Act.

Attorney Gina Mendola-Longarzo said "I think it's an absolute abuse of prosecutorial discretion to charge my client under the Patriot Act for non-purposeful conduct".

Banach, 38, faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of interference with pilots of an aircraft "with reckless disregard for the safety of human life," a provision of the USA Patriot Act passed following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

He also was charged with two counts of making false statements to law officers, each of which carries up to five years.

 

[sandorski]

Has the Patriot Act even been used against a Terrorist yet? I keep hearing about drug paraphenalia sales and other non-Terrorist acts where the Patriot Act gets used, but nothing concerning a Terrorist.

 

[smc13]

I wonder what he lied about? If he actually did try to blind the pilot he should be sent to jail.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: smc13
I wonder what he lied about? If he actually did try to blind the pilot he should be sent to jail.

He told the FBI he was stargazing with his daughter when he pointed the Laser at the plane 4 times.

Dam Terrists.

 

[Starbuck1975]

I don't know if he is a terrorist or not, but what kind of dumbass points a laser beam at an aircraft.

A man accused of pointing a green laser beam at a small passenger jet, temporarily blinding the pilot and co-pilot, was indicted Wednesday under the federal anti-terror Patriot Act.

In temporarily blinding the pilots, this man recklessly endangered the lives of everyone on that plane.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Starbuck1975
I don't know if he is a terrorist or not, but what kind of dumbass points a laser beam at an aircraft.

A man accused of pointing a green laser beam at a small passenger jet, temporarily blinding the pilot and co-pilot, was indicted Wednesday under the federal anti-terror Patriot Act.

In temporarily blinding the pilots, this man recklessly endangered the lives of everyone on that plane.

Under the Patriot Act Dumba$$=Terrist

 

[Trevelyan]

I definately think more details are needed....

 

[StageLeft]

I wonder if he really did want to crash it. Probably not...

 

[Starbuck1975]

Under the Patriot Act Dumba$$=Terrist

And if the Patriot Act did not exist, would his actions still fall under FAA jurisdiction as a federal offense.

What if these pilots were conducting an approach, and the laser pointer blinded them along enough to jeopardize their landing, or worse yet, result in a crash.

It may not be a terorrist act, but it still smells like a criminal offense to me, even if the guy was simply being a dumbass...being a dumbass can land you in jail if it endangers others.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Starbuck1975

Under the Patriot Act Dumba$$=Terrist

And if the Patriot Act did not exist, would his actions still fall under FAA jurisdiction as a federal offense.

What if these pilots were conducting an approach, and the laser pointer blinded them along enough to jeopardize their landing, or worse yet, result in a crash.

It may not be a terorrist act, but it still smells like a criminal offense to me, even if the guy was simply being a dumbass...being a dumbass can land you in jail if it endangers others.

That was my point, he is a dumba$$ and committed a criminal act but it was hardly a "Terrist" act on his part.

 

[Starbuck1975]

That was my point, he is a dumba$$ and committed a criminal act but it was hardly a "Terrist" act on his part.

So you aren't necessarily opposed to his facing criminal charges, just uncomfortable with the fact that he is being charged as a terrorist under the blanket coverage of the Patriot Act?

 

[Tom]

how do you stargaze with a lazor beam ?

 

[MidasKnight]

Originally posted by: Starbuck1975
I don't know if he is a terrorist or not, but what kind of dumbass points a laser beam at an aircraft.

A man accused of pointing a green laser beam at a small passenger jet, temporarily blinding the pilot and co-pilot, was indicted Wednesday under the federal anti-terror Patriot Act.

In temporarily blinding the pilots, this man recklessly endangered the lives of everyone on that plane.

:thumbsup:

 

[mordantmonkey]

i've had a laser beam pointed at me from 15 feet away...annoying? yes. blinding? no.

i think they are taking this a bit far. sure charge the guy for being a DUMBASS, but i find 20 years to be a bit much. A few months is enough to make him lose his job, his daughter, and his house if he has one. i'm sure that would be plenty.

 

[DealMonkey]

Originally posted by: Tom
how do you stargaze with a lazor beam ?

Actually they make very powerful pen-sized lasers for this exact purpose. A friend of mine was able to buy one and demonstrated it on a very clear night sky. It was absolutely amazing how he was able to point to specific stars and the laser made a nice perfect green line right to what he was referring to.

And no, there weren't any planes anywhere in the vicinity.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: Starbuck1975

That was my point, he is a dumba$$ and committed a criminal act but it was hardly a "Terrist" act on his part.

So you aren't necessarily opposed to his facing criminal charges, just uncomfortable with the fact that he is being charged as a terrorist under the blanket coverage of the Patriot Act?

That's certainly what bothers me about the situation. If the guy did something wrong, he should face the appropriate charges; he isn't a terrorist, so he shouldn't be charged as one.

 

[EagleKeeper]

And if he was able to cause a crash, then would you consider him a terrorist.

Of what is your definition there-of.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
And if he was able to cause a crash, then would you consider him a terrorist.

Of what is your definition there-of.

To be a terrorist, he would need to attempt to crash the plane in order to cause terror. You would need to associate him with some motivation for the act other than 'criminal mindset' and/or 'stupidity'.

You can go out and shoot people in the street right now, and you won't be a terrorist.

 

[Drift3r]

Originally posted by: DealMonkey

Originally posted by: Tom
how do you stargaze with a lazor beam ?

Actually they make very powerful pen-sized lasers for this exact purpose. A friend of mine was able to buy one and demonstrated it on a very clear night sky. It was absolutely amazing how he was able to point to specific stars and the laser made a nice perfect green line right to what he was referring to.

And no, there weren't any planes anywhere in the vicinity.

Ding...ding...ding ! We have a winner. Correct !

 

[Drift3r]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
And if he was able to cause a crash, then would you consider him a terrorist.

Of what is your definition there-of.

It's called intent. What was his intent when using the laser beam ?

 

[Kadarin]

IMO, if his intent was to attempt to crash the plane for political/religious reasons, then he is a terrorist. If he wanted to attempt to crash the plane as a lark, then he's merely an aspiring attempted mass murderer. If he was just screwing around without thought as to the consequences to others, then he was just criminally stupid.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
IMO, if his intent was to attempt to crash the plane for political/religious reasons, then he is a terrorist. If he wanted to attempt to crash the plane as a lark, then he's merely an aspiring attempted mass murderer. If he was just screwing around without thought as to the consequences to others, then he was just criminally stupid.

QFT

 

[BBond]

I live in New Jersey. At just about any time, day or night, I can walk into my back yard and see three or more planes in various stages of flight. If I had a laser it would be difficult not to cross paths with an aircraft at some point.

This isn't terrorism. And it only points out the fact that our government writes new laws supposedly for one reason and then uses them against average citizens whenever they get a chance. All the while telling us we're safer.

Sandorski has it right. Has there been ONE "terrist" convicted under the Patriot Act? Or is it just there to harass citizens? Up the charges on what should be a petty misdemeanor. No matter what you say this guy DIDN'T cause any plane crash. It was stupid to paint an aircraft with a laser but hey, if we were all charged under the Patriot Act every time we did something stupid we'd all be posting in P&N from jail.

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: Drift3r

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
And if he was able to cause a crash, then would you consider him a terrorist.

Of what is your definition there-of.

It's called intent. What was his intent when using the laser beam ?

Intent or lack thereof does not absolve him from responsibility for his actions.

As a pilot I can attest to how disruptive a bright light is. When night flying, all the instrument lights are dimmed, and red-colored to maximize night vision. Your eyes are dilated way beyond normal, in an effort to maximize your ability to "see and avoid".
I've had a few flashlights accidentally go off in the cabin, reaching for a chart or something, and it really sucks. It could be disasterous at the wrong time. to think that some A-hole would intentionally do that, well they'd better not get caught by a pilot, if you know what I mean.
That said, charging this person under the patriot act is way out of line. There should be sufficient penalties under other sections of law to discourage this.

 

[BBond]

Originally posted by: skyking

Originally posted by: Drift3r

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
And if he was able to cause a crash, then would you consider him a terrorist.

Of what is your definition there-of.

It's called intent. What was his intent when using the laser beam ?

Intent or lack thereof does not absolve him from responsibility for his actions.

As a pilot I can attest to how disruptive a bright light is. When night flying, all the instrument lights are dimmed, and red-colored to maximize night vision. Your eyes are dilated way beyond normal, in an effort to maximize your ability to "see and avoid".
I've had a few flashlights accidentally go off in the cabin, reaching for a chart or something, and it really sucks. It could be disasterous at the wrong time. to think that some A-hole would intentionally do that, well they'd better not get caught by a pilot, if you know what I mean.
That said, charging this person under the patriot act is way out of line. There should be sufficient penalties under other sections of law to discourage this.

I agree the Patriot Act charges are way out of line. But I have a question. Those parties you mentioned who set off the flashlights in your cabin, should they be charged with a crime for their actions?