Hill bill protects flying public

[thumbelina]

House Republicans are pushing legislation to protect airline passengers from lawsuits for reporting suspicious behavior that might be linked to a terrorist attack.

Rep. Steve Pearce, New Mexico Republican, introduced the Protecting Americans Fighting Terrorism Act of 2007 on Thursday, a week after a lawsuit was filed by a group of Muslim imams who were taken off a US Airways flight in November.

It is "unconscionable" that those who report suspicious activity could be "terrorized in our own court system in our own country," Mr. Pearce said on the House floor yesterday afternoon.

Article & H/T

Also, Tactics in Case of the Flying Imams Akin to "Legal Terrorism"

[SparseMatrix]

This is certainly legal terrorism. Speak up, and you'll get sued. Of course, the targeting of John Does sounds more like a case of "ask a mile, get 10 yards." The imams want a settlement from U.S. Airways, which is an obnoxious affront to justice in and of itself, but by adding the outrageous John Doe defendants, it makes the U.S. Airways suit seem rational by comparison.

I expect to see the John Doe portions dropped (this time, at least) and their suit of U.S. Airways proceed to success. This will be used as case law to justify similar and incrementally worse behavior by the next set of imams.

We're slouching towards dhimmitude.

[Jayhawk]

This is atrocious. If there is a settlement we all pay for it. Never thought I'd see the day when this would be necessary because of people supporting our nations enemies. The liberals are making the entire world sick.

[Isis]

Yeah......

House votes to protect 'John Does' on flights

House Republicans tonight surprised Democrats with a procedural vote to protect public-transportation passengers from being sued if they report suspicious activity -- the first step by lawmakers to protect "John Doe" airline travelers already targeted in such a lawsuit.

After a heated debate and calls for order, the motion to recommit the Democrats' Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007 back to committee with instructions to add the protective language passed on a vote of 304-121.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, Mississippi Democrat and chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, opposed the motion over loud objections from colleagues on the House floor, forcing several calls to order from the chair.

The amendment is retroactive to activities that took place on or after Nov. 20, 2006 -- the date of the Minneapolis incident, and authorizes courts to award attorneys' fees to defendants with immunity.

[Enigma]

Yeah......

House votes to protect 'John Does' on flights

House Republicans tonight surprised Democrats with a procedural vote to protect public-transportation passengers from being sued if they report suspicious activity -- the first step by lawmakers to protect "John Doe" airline travelers already targeted in such a lawsuit.

After a heated debate and calls for order, the motion to recommit the Democrats' Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007 back to committee with instructions to add the protective language passed on a vote of 304-121.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, Mississippi Democrat and chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, opposed the motion over loud objections from colleagues on the House floor, forcing several calls to order from the chair.

The amendment is retroactive to activities that took place on or after Nov. 20, 2006 -- the date of the Minneapolis incident, and authorizes courts to award attorneys' fees to defendants with immunity.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!