Stupid woman

[Tovarish 0]

Your an idealist, you can dance round hugging trees till your blue in the face, it won't change the fact that people are and should be treated differently because of their race.

Not in this case, and I applaud the authorities for the way they handled it

[toadlife 3]

Gadger,

What you say has some logic to it, but here in the U.S. it's called racial profiling, and it has been the subject of many a lawsuit. As a result of these lawsuits, there is pressure to apply the laws equally no matter what.

The bottom line is, it's illegal as hell to even joke about bombs and such in all U.S. airports.

Given the circumstances, I'll conceed that perhaps authorites here should just let her go and kick her ass out of the country, but you can't argue about the law here and the penalties that come when you break it.

[turms 0]

I relly dont know this one; what law does prohbit you from saying the word "bomb" in airport? is there a list of words you are not allowed to say or how does this go?

[Tovarish 0]

I relly dont know this one; what law does prohbit you from saying the word "bomb" in airport? is there a list of words you are not allowed to say or how does this go?

What law prevents you from saying "I've got a gun" at a bank?

[Gadger 0]

Well that don't make no sense, sorry but i'm a Q.M.B student, and through habbit and study almost everything I encounter is related to probability.

I am not disagreeing what she did was wrong or that she should not be punished, merely that she should not be given a sum for bail which is twice her annual salary. This imo is unjust, especially when you take into account the actions a 6 month custodial sentence will have on her and put into contrast with the probable sentence she will receive.

[toadlife 3]

I relly dont know this one; what law does prohbit you from saying the word "bomb" in airport? is there a list of words you are not allowed to say or how does this go?

The law prohibits you from saying things that might cause panic amoungst the people in the airport. In every airport I have ever been to, there are signs all over airports that spell this out quite clearly. The signs give examples of things not to say like "hijack" or "bomb" or "I have a gun". It's don't think there is a specific list of words you can't say. It's more of a common sense thing.

[Schoeler 0]

For simple humour you should receive 6 months in prison? Yelling fire in a crowded theatre is totally different, that can cause panic and mayhem, cop stopped her asked what was in the bag, she laughed and said the b word. Whats so bad about that?

The United States Supreme Court ruled that free speech is restricted when it brings about harm, social unrest, criminal action or violence.  Yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theatre falls under that decision, as does joking about terrorism in an airport.  Free speech does not mean you can say whatever you want without repercussions.  There is however, no prior restraint on free speech, so while you can yell or utter whatever you want, you must then live with the consequences.  This is the reason why they have signs throughout American airports that specifically warn travelers that any conversation about terrorism or weapons including jokes will be recieved as a serious and legitimate threat.  Not only is it stupid to think of doing it, its downright foolhardy to ignore the warning signs which are posted at ticket counters and in large print at the security check.

As a British citizen, she won't be held for the entire six months.  As soon as its shown she's not a terrorist, she'll be arraigned and released on bail.  They are just using her as an example right now.

[Lt_Damage 0]

[FSPilot 0]

The girl did something stupid and needs to be made an example of. Because obviously everybody still doesn't know not to joke about bombs in airports.

[Schoeler 0]

She cant afford the bail, set at $4,500 therefore she will have to spend 6 months in custody before she faces trial.

Not true. Re-read the article. She has a right to a speedy trial under the Constitution. As a British citizen and obviously not a terrorist or enemy combatant, she'll be tried within a month. She faces up to six months after sentencing, not prior to trial. This isn't singapore or karachi for Christ's sake!

[Lt_Damage 0]

I think you all need to watch a movie called "Equilibrium"

The main premise is how they achieved a world without war, but the cost they had to pay was no emotion, no laughter, no love, no hate, no smiling, no crying. It wasn't a world I'd want to live in.

Moral of the story, if you are a disgruntled middle-eastern nutter, don't go bombing people in the name of your stupid ideals, that way we can continue cracking jokes like human beings not living like stupid robots.

[turms 0]

I relly dont know this one; what law does prohbit you from saying the word "bomb" in airport? is there a list of words you are not allowed to say or how does this go?

The law prohibits you from saying things that might cause panic amoungst the people in the airport. In every airport I have ever been to, there are signs all over airports that spell this out quite clearly. The signs give examples of things not to say like "hijack" or "bomb" or "I have a gun". It's don't think there is a specific list of words you can't say. It's more of a common sense thing.

I meant it like what are they charching her?

[Gadger 0]

I'm not reading this from a yahoo article, i'm reading it from The Independant. First of all I thought a speedy trial was only available if she paid the bail amount? I'm not familiar with american law so hold my hands up if i'm wrong.

Now, this is exactly what it says in this newspaper.

Quote[/b] ]On Feburary the 8th she will attend her premlinary hearing...she has untill this date to pay her bail sum...if she pleads guilty she will face a trial in early spring, most likely April...If she pleads not guilty...It's common that defence and prosecuting parties are given 6 months to prepare their case, if this does happen, its highly likely she will not face her trial till mid July.

[Schoeler 0]

i Agree with you ralph and i also think that it was entirely unappropriate given current situations

i remember on a programme the story of one guy.

he was from chicago,in an airport and had a violin case with him, and a fellow passenger (how stupid must the guy who asked this be?) asked him "whats in the violin case" but instead of stating the obvious, the man from chicago with the case, decided to make a witty reply to the other passenger(due to him being from chicago and chicagos past gangster history  "oh just a machine gun" the guy with the violin was duly arrested, now while partial blame can be put on him, i also blame the other guy who asked in "whats in the violin case  talk about stating the obvious in your own question!

The man in question was approached by two armed officers and taken to custody but later released. He was asked by a customs officer what was in the case, as it is their job. It was his mistake to make such a comment. What annoys me is that he didn't end up in jail and niether did the guy found with 4 rounds of assorted ammunition in his pockets, but the BRIT goes to jail.

American anti-britishness. Got to love it.

This is the most ridiculous post I've ever read on this forum. The majority of Americans like and admire the British. You are our closest allies. For example, did you know that during the recent war, the Union Jack could not be purchased in any American retail store? Want to guess why? Americans were flying them to honor our allies alongside the Stars and Stripes. They were sold out and backordered for months. Have you ever even been to America? Were you treated badly. Every Brit I know in the U.S. has gotten along with us famously. And I should know because for some reason, there are a hell of a lot of Brits here in the American southwest. It seems they like the radically different climate.

[Mister 5 0]

It was a girl for gods sake not even some beareded ME'er who could raise suspicion.

Would she have raised much suspicion, either? Didn't stop her from blowing away a restaurant full of innocent people.

[Gadger 0]

Not as much as a bearded afghani, but definetly a whole lot more than a blonde british student.

[FSPilot 0]

I'm not reading this from a yahoo article, i'm reading it from The Independant. First of all I thought a speedy trial was only available if she paid the bail amount? I'm not familiar with american law so hold my hands up if i'm wrong.

Uh, not really.  When she's arrested she's taken before a judge who will set her bail and court date.  If she pays bail she doesn't have to sit in jail until her court date, if she doesn't pay bail then she gets to sit in jail until her court date.  Depending on how long a wait that is she might get to sit in a one-cell county jail or sent to a bigger one. If she's a very big "flight risk" (meaning that she'd leave the country and out of our jurisdiction before the trial starts) then the bail will be set higher or possibly no bail will be set, so she would have to wait in US custody.

At the beginning of the trial (well, not really, but before it happens) she's asked what she wants to plead: guilty or not guilty.  If she pleads guilty there will only be a sentencing (usually lighter because she admitted it, she might not even be prosecuted).  If she pleads not guilty then they go to court and have a trial.

You can't just pay for a speedy trial, a lot of different circumstances determine that.

[bn880 5]

Well I'm going to say if you think spending time in custody/jail and causing panic because of this is normal, you are not in touch with the reality of the situation. This is exactly what Osama wanted, Americans who are scared to fart on a plane etc...

I don't really care for what the laws are there, the reality is simple and it's a social matter, some punishment has to exist, but not in this form.

[turms 0]

I'm not reading this from a yahoo article, i'm reading it from The Independant. First of all I thought a speedy trial was only available if she paid the bail amount? I'm not familiar with american law so hold my hands up if i'm wrong.

Uh, not really.  When she's arrested she's taken before a judge who will set her bail and court date.  If she pays bail she doesn't have to sit in jail until her court date, if she doesn't pay bail then she gets to sit in jail until her court date.  Depending on how long a wait that is she might get to sit in a one-cell county jail or sent to a bigger one.  If she's a very big "flight risk" (meaning that she'd leave the country and out of our jurisdiction before the trial starts) then the bail will be set higher or possibly no bail will be set, so she would have to wait in US custody.

At the beginning of the trial (well, not really, but before it happens) she's asked what she wants to plead: guilty or not guilty.  If she pleads guilty there will only be a sentencing (usually lighter because she admitted it, she might not even be prosecuted).  If she pleads not guilty then they go to court and have a trial.

You can't just pay for a speedy trial, a lot of different circumstances determine that.

Do you have any knowledge on what she is charched for?

[Schoeler 0]

I'm not reading this from a yahoo article, i'm reading it from The Independant. First of all I thought a speedy trial was only available if she paid the bail amount? I'm not familiar with american law so hold my hands up if i'm wrong.

Now, this is exactly what it says in this newspaper.

Quote[/b] ]On Feburary the 8th she will attend her premlinary hearing...she has untill this date to pay her bail sum...if she pleads guilty she will face a trial in early spring, most likely April...If she pleads not guilty...It's common that defence and prosecuting parties are given 6 months to prepare their case, if this does happen, its highly likely she will not face her trial till mid July.

Our Bill of Rights:

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

The bail is up to the judge, but is probably a standard amount given the severity of the crime and the potentiality of flight risk. All she has to do is post 10-20% of the money to a bail bondsmen and she'll be out within two hours. Like I said, this is the American system of justice, which has served as a model for most of the world since 1783. Here you are innocent until proven guilty. If she doesn't have the bail, her counsel will raise it for her.

[FSPilot 0]

And don't get started on that she was a girl and didn't look like a terrorist.

You can't look like you've got a grudge against Americans.

[Schoeler 0]

Well I'm going to say if you think spending time in custody/jail and causing panic because of this is normal, you are not in touch with the reality of the situation.  This is exactly what Osama wanted, Americans who are scared to fart on a plane etc...

I don't really care for what the laws are there, the reality is simple and it's a social matter, some punishment has to exist, but not in this form.

Osama wanted the United States to honor the principle of the rule of law?  If he did, then God bless him.  That law has existed in the United States for decades.  It isn't some recent thing.  It is a felony to communicate like that in an American airport.  Do it and you suffer the consequences.  The law is the law, we don't get to decide when and where to enforce it, or who is above or beneath it.  Everybody is obligated to obey.  You break it, so solly, you lose.

[turms 0]

Quote[/b] ]Osama wanted the United States to honor the principle of the rule of law? If he did, then God bless him. That law has existed in the United States for decades. It isn't some recent thing. It is a felony to communicate like that in an American airport. Do it and you suffer the consequences. The law is the law, we don't get to decide when and where to enforce it, or who is above or beneath it. Everybody is obligated to obey. You break it, so solly, you lose.

Ah!! finally! a person who knows what is she charched for, and what law did she brake?

[bn880 5]

It is a felony to communicate like that in an American airport. Do it and you suffer the consequences.

Communicate like what, like someone who is not afraid?

Quote[/b] ]The law is the law, we don't get to decide when and where to enforce it, or who is above or beneath it. Everybody is obligated to obey. You break it, so solly, you lose.

Not so, I wish it was this way.

EDIT: When we discuss, we can agree to be bound by all local laws, be it USA, Pakistan, China, or Nigeria. Or we can look at matters from a real perspective, judging a situation not by the local laws, but by what we think is reasonable for the particular situation, and based on what facts.

[Tovarish 0]

Communicate like what, like someone who is not afraid?

It's not being unafraid, it's being irresponsible, arrogant, and even disrespectful to the security people. If you think it's strictly an American phenomenon, why don't you try it yourself?