Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Anti-terror law invoked for unruly behavior - Yahoo! News

Anti-terror law invoked for unruly behavior - Yahoo! News: "LOS ANGELES – Many of the more than 200 people convicted under airline anti-terrorism provisions of the 2001 USA Patriot Act engaged only in profanity or drunken behavior, not attempts to hijack a plane or commit violence, according to a report published Tuesday.

Those convicted include a Lakewood man accused of arguing with a flight attendant who believed he was indulging in sexual activity, and a woman who spanked her two children and angrily threw a can at the ground when confronted by a flight attendant, the Los Angeles Times said.

'We have gone completely berserk on this issue,' said Charles Slepian, a New York security consultant. 'These are not threats to national security or threats to aircraft, but we use that as an excuse.'"

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