[AZ-Observing] Re: Phoenix man sentenced for shining laser at two commercial airliners, police helicopter over Valley

  • From: Dan Heim <dan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Thu, 09 Aug 2012 11:57:32 -0700

Totally agree about TSA and FAA being heavy-handed. That said, laws are 
laws, and stupidity is no defense, but imho you gotta make a 
prosecutorial distinction between "intent to cause harm" and 
"stupidity." Rick's caution about certain parts of the Valley (where 
star parties are done) having vulnerable air traffic patterns is good 
advice for all of us. I'd hate to be busted doing public outreach just 
because some aircraft got momentarily flashed by my laser.

Richard's comment is understandable ... most of us on this forum are 
well-educated about the hazards of laser pointers, so we're sorta 
"preaching to the choir." But I still think it's a good discussion to 
have. There be some newbies here too.

Dan Heim

On 8/9/2012 11:16 AM, Tim Jones wrote:
> However, using Dan's logic as the impetus and given a proper defense that 
> invalidated the claims of potential harm for the commercial pilots, the 
> sentence could have been much less - regardless of the federal vs. local 
> standing.  And if nothing else, it could further publicly identify the overly 
> zealous and heavy handed nature of those organizations.
>
> Sorry to go political on this, but after my last wonderfully relaxing trip 
> throughout the Aegean and Med (6 countries) and my return to our wonderful, 
> free country (where it took over 30 minutes  and an LSAT-level load of 
> questions to get through customs as a citizen with nothing to declare), 
> anything that can be done to put those guys in their place is a plus in my 
> eyes.
>
> Tim
>
>    
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