Posted 3:12 PM by Floyd

I don't often Fisk news reports, but this amazing AP report about a persecuted airline passenger cries to the heavens for justice to be done.

MADISON, Wis. - An airline passenger was cited for disorderly conduct Tuesday after the plane's crew accused him of insinuating the pilot had been drinking.

"Accused him of insinuating." I'd like to see the full text of that statute. Reminds me of Soviet laws used to charge dissidents, like "contacts leading to suspicion of espionage."

The remark caused Comair to cancel the 9:30 a.m. flight to Cincinnati, forcing 26 passengers to make other travel plans, said Lt. Michael Krembs of the Dane County Sheriff's Department.

If Comair hates the idea of serving customers by transporting them through the air, that's one thing. But please don't dignify their actions by claiming the remark as a "cause". In other news, the fear that pygmy headhunters might be hidden in his trees forced Floyd McWilliams of Woodside to stay inside all day and play Civilization III.

Steven M. Wiese, 33, of Cottage Grove, was accused of leaning into the cockpit and remarking to the pilot, "I hope you haven't been drinking," Krembs said.

Margaret Q. Thursteroy, 41, of Milwaukee, was charged with excessive blinking. She was released on her own recognizance.

Federal Aviation Administration regulations require the flight crew to be tested for controlled substances when drug or alcohol abuse allegations are made.

If I tell a woman that she is dressed nicely, are local law enforcement authorities required to investigate her to ensure that she is not engaged in prostitution?

"My assumption is it was a flippant remark," Krembs said.

The No Fucking Shit Award for 2002 is no longer accepting entries.

"But in this day and age of heightened airport security, you just don't joke about stuff anymore."

I hope no one is saying that Wiese brought this on himself by making a dumb mistake. It's one thing to go into a dark alley in a bad part of town and get robbed. It's quite another to say hello to someone in broad daylight and have them stab you with an ice pick 45 times.

The airline refused to allow Wiese and his wife on another flight Tuesday, Krembs said.

Merry Christmas!