State senator causes ruckus on Alaska flight (guess which Party?)

[brooklynite]

Source: Anchorage Daily News

State Sen. Lesil McGuire created a disturbance on an Alaska Airlines flight earlier this month and, after landing in Anchorage, was escorted through the airport by police for questioning, according to an official report of the incident.

The Anchorage Republican was not charged with a crime and the law enforcement investigation into the incident is over. McGuire, who chairs the State Affairs Committee, is part of the Senate's ruling coalition.

On the Sept. 4 flight from Juneau to Anchorage, McGuire continued using her BlackBerry after being asked to turn it off, the report said. She kept texting, which resulted in the pilot having to stop the plane as it was taxiing, according to the report by police at Stevens International Airport. After flight attendants refused to serve her alcohol, she threw a glass of water onto the aisle floor, said passengers interviewed by police.

She was rude, used profanity, bad-mouthed the pilots, and caused further delay by getting out of her seat, according to statements to police by witnesses.

Read more: http://www.adn.com/politics/story/528486.html

---

Well, since John McCain invented the Blacberry, I guess we'll have to give her a pass.

[napi21]

1. I wonder why AK has so many crabby women in politics? n/t

[lynnertic]

8. They're tolerated? n/t

[roguevalley]

38. her hubby, Tom anderson, is in jail on the sort of Stevens-related

scandal up here. She is a dickhead from waaaaay back.

[Trajan]

2. She should be in federal custody ...

Awaiting terrorism charges ....

[Ian David]

3. If you or I had done this, we'd still be in jail. n/t

[pattmarty]

11. Well maybe not jail, but we would have had to go.............

...........to court on some kind of charges and paid a healthy fine.

[glinda]

4. She should have been....

tested for drugs.

[Lucky 13]

5. In Alaska, we called her Sleazil.

State Senator Lesil McGuire was married with children. A few years ago she befriended Republican State Representative Tom Anderson - also married. The two started an affair while in Juneau and both ended up leaving their spouses and eventually marrying each other. One would have thought this would hinder their political careers... but no. They were re-elected easily.

In 2006, Tom decided not to run for re-election and do some "lobbying". In October 2007, Tom was convicted of federal corruption charges - 7 counts of conspiracy and bribery - and sentenced to five years in prison. Surprisingly to me, Sleazil has stayed married to him even though he is now in jail.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2053162

A lot of ethics allegations swirled around her too. How could you be married to a State Representative who is on the take and not be aware AT ALL? Again, one would have thought this would hinder her political career... but no. She continues her career in the State Senate.

I've met Sleazil and sleazy is the right adjective I would use. Like Palin, she has an outrageously inflated opinion of herself and uses her power, money and position to her advantage.

Oh and I read in the article that she cried while giving an interview on this incident. No suprise. I've seen her cry while giving interviews on previous occasions. It's contrived and self-serving.

[Buenaventura]

28. hence the "state affairs" committee??

;)

[WriteDown]

6. I actually support her wholeheartedly...

The fact that you can't use a blackberry, iphone, or mp3 player during takeoff and landing is utterly ridiculous and has been proven to have ZERO effect on the instruments. They need to end that rule ASAP.

[Coventina]

14. People who disobey orders from the flight crew need to be expelled from the plane.

Just because you think a rule is stupid doesn't mean that it gives you the right to break it.

I was on a flight where a man threatened to punch a flight attendant because he wasn't allowed to sit by his wife. Why? Because they each had a child on their lap & it was a completely full flight so there was a third person in the row. That exceeds FAA regulations. He thought the rule was stupid. Too bad.

I wish I could listen to my iPod during take-off as well, but big deal. It's only a few minutes.

People who think they don't have to obey the rules really ARE a danger.

[brooklynite]

15. I heard this rule explained recently

Three seats with three adults and two kids means five people in the row; the plane only has four oxygen masks per row. People shouldn't assume they know the reason that rules have been implemented.

[Barrymores Ghost]

16. A) You're wrong. B) That's beside the point.

Research shows otherwise: http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/mar06/3069

And when the pilot or other crew of an aircraft give you instructions, you follow them. Period. You don't get to decide which rules you'll abide by, just because you think you remember reading somewhere that that instrumentation interference caused by cellular and other wireless electronics is a myth.

And when you're forced to follow those rules, you don't throw a temper tantrum. That shit might get you slapped in restraining straps...and you know what else? I'd help the attendants put them on you...right after I ground your Blackberry underneath my heel.

[WriteDown]

19. Can't open your link but,

Recent studies have shown that there is no interference. I was not defending the tantrum. Just the blackberrys use. I wouldn't suggest touching me :).

[Barrymores Ghost]

23. The link works, and I'm not trying to sound all hairy-chested and burly...

...I'll take the www out of it, so now you can just copy and paste the link to another browser window: spectrum.ieee.org/mar06/3069

I'm not sure what recent studies you're referring to, and I don't care, quite frankly. If you say you're 100% on the side of someone who acts like an asshole on a plane because s/he's not getting her/his way -- regardless of whether you think s/he has a technical point in her/his favor, you're defending the tantrum.

And if a flight attendant or co-pilot is having difficulties in restraining an asshole, I'm going to cheerfully lend my foot to the back of said asshole's neck. My own safety is a helluva lot more important than the asshole's comfort or dignity. Since I'm sure you would never be that asshole, your last point is rather moot, isn't it?

[WriteDown]

36. You missed my point...

I support her use of the blackberry, not to cause a scene. I fly almost every week and I can tell you that 90% of the people on the plane pay no attention whatsoever when the emergency instructions are handed out. I often forget to turn my cellphone off and it is stuffed in my briefcase. I have to think about 10% of the passengers(at least) do the same and we have suffered zero ill effects.

[Barrymores Ghost]

39. And you missed mine. It's not up to YOU or HER to decide...

...that the concern is overblown.

You also "missed" the conclusion of recent research, which posits otherwise.

The mere fact that, to date, no ill effects have been suffered as a result of your own carelessness, or that of your estimated "10%" of your fellow passengers, is neither any sort of absolution for your collective carelessness, nor tacit or explicit proof of your argument.

If you support her (or your own) use of a Blackberry or other electronic device during takeoff or landing -- against the expressed orders of the flight crew and FAA regulations -- than I can only assume you are itching to either find yourself publicly admonished or otherwise physically forced to comply.

In other words, the point is that if you act like a complete petulant dumbass, you shouldn't act shocked when you are treated like one. And if you're holding up my flight because you can't follow instructions, I'm going make it a point to loudly and roundly embarrass you in front of your family, God and everyone else. And if you were to get physical with someone in uniform, then all options are on the table, as they say.

[flygal]

33. the rule is there so you are prepared to evacuate during the most critical times

take off and landing. wearing earphones or using handies would be huge distractions. It is just a way to keep everyone in line - when you are outnumbered 50 to 1 it helps to have these rules in place. I wasn't too pushy about it, but if she was rude - that is a true sign to push the issue. And obviously she was.

[Retrograde]

58. but I'm important!

if I turn my Blackberry off for a minute I may miss an important message and the world will end! :sarcasm:

People do sometimes survive a bad takeoff or landing - not always, but enough that if there is a possible emergency I'd like everyone to be paying attention. That goes for keeping your stuff out of the way, too.

Whether it interferes with navigation I don't know: I've inadvertently had my cell phone on during long flights (it's really hard on batteries) with no problem. But I can live a few minutes without email. If you're that important, make people come to you!

Throwing water is just plain rude and childish. Infantile, really: most children of my acquaintance are much more considerate of other people.

[Dora]

17. It's NOT ridiculous, and I think airlines need to change their reasoning for disallowing it.

If I understand it correctly, takeoff and landing are the times when a plane is most likely to encounter difficulty. Passengers should be alert and ready to follow directions from the flight crew.

If 40% of passengers are diddling around or talking on the phone, they are not paying attention to attendants or to pilot instructions on the public address system. These passengers are also likely interfering with other passengers' ability to listen without interruption.

It's incumbent on all fliers to learn how to put their gadgets down for five minutes. It's not hard, but people are self-absorbed and short-sighted.

[awoke_in_2003]

18. It is thinking like that

that has allowed this president to break the law any time he damn well pleases. If the law is bad, change it. Break it, and you may be arrested. And anyone that cannot live without a blackberry for 10 minutes has an over inflated view of their importance in the world.

[WriteDown]

20. Good to know....

So marijuana prosecution should continue to the full extent of the law.

[Barrymores Ghost]

24. We are a society of laws...at least in theory.

Don't like a law? Get it changed. Break the law and get caught, suffer the consequences. It's really that simple. You can argue the moral nuances in front of the judge.

Oh, and your deflection is duly noted.

[awoke_in_2003]

35. It is against the law...

should we be filling our jails up with pot smokers? No. In more and more states it is a ticket-able offense. Even here in Texas it is up to the officer whether or not to even bother with that (2 oz and less). If the law is wrong, work to change it.

[WriteDown]

37. Prohibition...

ended due the massive law making and the subset of crime it created. Not because of "the good fight" in Congress.

[Barrymores Ghost]

40. Now you're just being ridiculous.

To compare prohibition and bootlegging with regulations requiring you to hang up your cell phone or turn your Blackberry off during takeoffs and landing is completely asinine.

As the saying goes: how can you be so obtuse?

Or, is it deliberate?

[WriteDown]

41. Huh?

I was comparing alcohol to pot.

[Barrymores Ghost]

42. You're dragging in yet ANOTHER irrelevant comparison to the topic at issue.

You veered off-track with the first version of the victimless-crime meme, and now you're tacking in another direction.

Let's try to focus on the OP, shall we? If you want to argue for the decriminalization of pot, I'm all for it. But in the context of this thread, it's a non-sequitur, just like Prohibition.

[WriteDown]

59. Totally missed my point and...

I totally apologize for that. To sum up, I agree with the sentiment that blackberrys and iphones should be able to be used for messaging, etc. on a place. I in no way condone causing a scene. When I brought up pot, I was making the comparison to usage in one's home. I would be against lighting up in front of your kids preschool. Think I am at fault here for not making myself cleared. I still hold, that texting while a plane takes off should be allowed.

[Barrymores Ghost]

60. And if the plane takes a hop on the runway while taking off....

...and your Blackberry goes airborne (as shit often does when a plane hits a bump) and breaks the ocular socket of somebody sitting next to you, then I'm sure you can rationalize having caused the injury with your contention that, hey, at least you're pretty sure it didn't interfere with the cockpit instrumentation.

Please stop. Just...stop.

[WriteDown]

62. Who's going to stop me from holding by blackberry...

or baby's bottle, or stapler for that matter during takeoff? No rules against holding items during takeoff, just using them. You may need to right to the FAA with this suggestion.

[Barrymores Ghost]

63. "Please turn off and stow all portable electronic devices including Game Boys, cell phones...

"...and Blackberries..."

I think that pretty much covers it.

[WriteDown]

64. And my babies bottle?

Or the hardback copy of Desperation that I've been reading for the last 3 flights as soon as I sit down. I saw someone eating a Big Mac as they boarded the other day. Dangerous to the gut maybe, but not the eye.

[Barrymores Ghost]

67. Wow. You must be INCREDIBLY bored. n/t

[boilinmad]

25. I know...

...can you imagine even a MINUTE without the use of your blackberry. Frightening.

[Hawkowl]

26. Bullshit

You get 100 people using their damn "devices" and it generates all sorts of disturbances with the radios. Navigation and communication. Yes, I am an airline pilot and I would have taxied back to the gate and had her arrested. I've done it before and I'll do it again.

[Barrymores Ghost]

61. Thank you for not suffering that fool.

I indulged his/her idiocy far too long.

[Buenaventura]

30. hey, she's a woman of convictions - er, no ... that was her husband ...

http://alaskalegislature.com/stories/091607/leg_20070916021.shtml

[hedgehog]

31. According to my son, the reason for the ban is that most accidents

take place during take-off and landing. The purpose of banning these devices then is to ensure that everyone is paying attention to any announcements and won't hold up any needed evacuation folding up and stowing such equipment. He says in-flight cell phone use is banned because a cell phone in a fast moving plane ties up a series of cell phone towers.

[yardwork]

34. If you read the article at the link you may have less sympathy.

[Ikonoklast]

43. Ever have a rough landing? Aborted takeoff?

How'd you like that to blackberry fly out of someone's hand and crack you in the skull?

I've been in an emergency landing, and shit flew ALL OVER that damn plane when it smacked the tarmac.

[indio55555]

70. True, but

Lets just say someone decides to modify their backberry to scramble the plane's communications, instruments etc. while in the air... Then what? Also I don't want the person next to me yapping non-stop throught the whole flight on their phone.

[bigworld]

7. Meet Ms McGuire....

http://www.aksenate.org/index.php?id=38

[napi21]

13. I saw her interviewed several times on CNN. Shhe was a witch

during the interviews too!

[Bozita]

9. This made me think of the peaceful, lawful demonstrators jailed in MN before and during the RNC

[bushisanidiot]

10. Elitist repukes don't think the law applies to them.

it's completely disgusting!!

[Faygo Kid]

12. Good GOP family values: Her politician husband in prison; she's a jerk.

Perfect. They rarely disappoint.

[dixiegrrrrl]

21. Look !!!! She's carrying Palin's baby..

that explains how Palin did it.




http://kodiakkonfidential.blogspot.com/2007/12/lesil-mcguire-given-ticket-out-of-town.html

[boilinmad]

22. Google Image the little sow...

...she looks like she's from the same litter as palin.

[boilinmad]

29. I meant...

...brood....sorry

[1monster]

27. t's the long, long northen winter nights. In a lot of the northern states, Seasonal

Affectiveness Disorder is a problem. That is one reason many of the far north states have problems with alcoholism and depression.

[4lbs]

32. Was she texting John McSame saying thank you for creating this wonderful device?

LOL

[hvn_nbr_2]

44. Stevens International Airport?

As in Ted Stevens? :rofl:

[pink-o]

65. That's exactly who it's named for!!!

Full disclosure: I work for Alaska Airlines here in San Francisco, and my compatriots in ANC have been dying to get that airport name changed for a long, long time.

I'm sorry I don't have any extra insight into this idiot State Sen, but I can tell you that most disruptive behaviour onboard usually results in the police waiting for you at the other end, but rarely does anyone get carted off to jail. Unless the passenger tries to break into the flight deck. Doesn't matter if you work for the govt or you're just a drunk asshole, you're probably not gonna be held for more than a few hours.

What I REALLY wish I could find out is about that trip Palin took from DFW to ANC in April supposedly when her water broke and she managed to make it all the way without incident. I'm trying to locate who the flight crew was and see if they remember anything. Of course they'd've known they had the Gov onboard, but if she just sat in 1st class without doubling over or looking green, then that would solidify our suspicions.

Still doing research. Promise to get back to you when I find anything out!

[longship]

45. Too bad there wasn't any "chair throwing"

Gotta love those foreign government bodies which know how to have a real floor fight.

Bring it on. :evilgrin:

Or, maybe just a good, old fashion defenestration.

[yellowcanine]

46. People have been tasered for less.

Just saying.

[Indenturedebtor]

47. Alaska senator accused of causing flight ruckus

Source: msnbc.com

Alaska senator accused of causing flight ruckus
State legislator kept texting, threw water when refused alcohol, police say

An Alaska state senator caused a disturbance on an Alaska Airlines flight, including throwing a glass of water when flight attendants refused to serve her alcohol, but will not be charged with a crime, authorities said.

Sen. Lesil McGuire also continued using her BlackBerry after being asked to turn it off before the flight from Juneau to Anchorage, according to an Anchorage police report of the Sept. 4 confrontation.

According to the report, McGuire continued texting, leading the pilot to stop the plane as it was taxiing. McGuire, who leads the State Affairs Committee, was questioned by police at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport but not charged.

-----

More at link

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26761477/

---

I don't even find this funny. It's just disgusting the sorts of people the Republicans vomit onto our country.

[Sequoia]

48. So she's not charged but that TV preacher's wife was charged

and had to go to court for causing a ruckus on the plane. Those flight attendents should bring a lawsuit against her but I'm not holding my breath.

[anitar1]

57. The preachers wife was exonerated.

It seems that the flight attendant was lying and had done the same thing a couple of years back. The crew testified for the preachers wife.Attendant wanted big bucks.

[Sequoia]

68. Ah ha, I didn't know about that flight attendant doing it before.

Thanks.

[superconnected]

49. Eww Ted Stevens has an airport named after him

As for that senator, I suspect she's a republican and yeah I do like the attention she's bringing to Alaskan politicians. Especially with the Palin abuse-of-postion that keeps surfacing.

[HopeHoops]

53. He shouldn't fret - the most disfunctional one in the country is named after Reagan

[BearSquirrel2]

56. Nothing named after you till you're DEAD!!!!

I don't believe anyone should have ANY buildings or civil landmarks named after them until after they're DEAD. It strikes me as idolatry to have buildings and airports named after you.

[Pete2069]

50. Shows you just how much hate the republican voters

have toward democrats in which they would rather vote for
these pigs with lipstick , then  to vote to replace them with
someone which would try to correct the corruption they have
forced on our citizens and country...

Who in the right state of mind would ever vote for McCain and
Palin to be leaders of our country and make decisions of life
and death to our citizens.

Wake up Americans before it is to d... late...

[Faygo Kid]

51. Already posted.

Actually, this one has the Anchorage Daily News story.

GOP family values, with her GOP politician husband now in prison. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3494628

[Politicalboi]

52. Hmmmm Baked Alaska?

Keep it coming.

[L. Coyote]

54. And then we have to go thru airports named after them.

What happened to waiting until a guy died, at least for politicians of that genre, until he couldn't be indicted any longer.

[baldguy]

55. "Ladies & gentlemen, I'm sorry for the delay but we will not be able to continue safely..."

"... to the taxiway to get in line for take off until the Very Important Lady in seat 12B finishes playing with on her crackberry and turns it off. Thank you for your patience."

[SoCalDem]

66. What is it with Republican flyers and their "water" issues

"threw a glass of water on the floor"
"leaky governor flies home"

[DemWynner]

69. I hate these women!

This gives the rest of us women a bad name. why do they have to make fools out of themselves over piddly stuff like this. I have worked hard in a man's world to help garner respect for equal rights and things like this really puts us back.

[Supersedeas]

71. if it had been a Dem, Homeland Security would have been called and permanent no-fly listed