US 'tractor activist' is jailed

[NashVegas]

A US tobacco farmer who brought Washington traffic to a standstill during a lone protest on board his tractor has been jailed for six years.

Dwight Watson, 51, had been convicted of making false threats and destroying government property.

In March 2003 he shut down a section of the US capital when he parked his tractor in a pond on the Mall and held police in a standoff for three days.

He was protesting against US government cuts in subsidies to tobacco farmers.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3834727.stm

no matter how you feel about tobacco, this should send a chill down your spine

[Nevernose]

1. Jesus Christ! Six YEARS!?!

on edit:

Actaually read the article. He claimed to have explosives, turning a non-violent protest into a potential terrorist act. Six years is stil a little harsh, though. Some BANK ROBBERS who claim they have explosives don't get six years.

[thebigidea]

2. what chill? The guy was a lunatic making threats about explosives

"Mr Watson, I have concluded you are a nice guy and you had a legitimate grievance," District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson said.

Can you imagine the judge saying that if it was a MUSLIM type making threats about explosives?

I suppose its ok if you're into tobacco. That's legit.

[Mnemosyne]

3. should've been a senator from ND. n/t