missmuffet Posted April 15, 2015 Group: Royal Member Followers: 34 Topic Count: 1,991 Topics Per Day: 0.48 Content Count: 48,689 Content Per Day: 11.81 Reputation: 30,343 Days Won: 226 Joined: 01/11/2013 Status: Offline Share Posted April 15, 2015 http://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-man-lands-gyrocopter-on-capitol-lawn/ Florida resident Doug Hughes flew his gyrocopter to Washington, D.C. and landed it on the west front lawn of the Capitol building on Wednesday. He reportedly flew the contraption to Washington to compel lawmakers to pay attention to the issue of campaign finance reform. So far, his stunt has drawn the attention of Capitol Police, who responded to the scene and apprehended Hughes. "The U.S. Capitol Police continues to investigate with one person detained and temporary street closures in the immediate area," the Capitol Police said in a statement. Hughes, who works as a mailman, flew to Washington with 535 two-page letters for each member of Congress, according to the Tampa Bay Times. "I'm demanding reform and declaring a voter's rebellion in a manner consistent with Jefferson's description of rights in the Declaration of Independence," Hughes wrote. "As a member of Congress, you have three options. 1. You may pretend corruption does not exist. 2. You may pretend to oppose corruption while you sabotage reform. 3. You may actively participate in real reform." Hughes told the Times that the U.S. Secret Service questioned him last year about his plans. Even so, he was willing to violate the law and fly his vehicle to the Capitol for his cause. "I don't believe that the authorities are going to shoot down a 61-year-old mailman in a flying bicycle," he said. "I don't have any defense, okay, but I don't believe that anybody wants to personally take responsibility for the fallout." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Patriot21 Posted April 16, 2015 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 28 Topic Count: 338 Topics Per Day: 0.05 Content Count: 15,705 Content Per Day: 2.46 Reputation: 8,522 Days Won: 39 Joined: 10/25/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 02/27/1985 Share Posted April 16, 2015 curious how he managed to get to the lawn without being shot down, were all the SAM operators and fighter pilots to busy laughing at his stupidity to blow him to smitherines? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Maybe they couldn't see because of the tears of laughter in their eyes, or perhaps using a missle on a "flying bicycle" might be a waste . . . but the guy did get some people's attention. Gotta give 'im that. Besides, he's 61 and probably has enough money that it won't matter much if he spends a bit of time in jail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinM Posted April 20, 2015 Group: Royal Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 144 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 4,512 Content Per Day: 0.68 Reputation: 625 Days Won: 10 Joined: 04/11/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 10/07/1979 Share Posted April 20, 2015 We can't have SS shooting down every aircraft that violates DC's restricted airspace. Accidents and incidents happen. I am glad our SS saw it as a minimal threat aircraft and made the right decision by letting it land on the lawn. Imagine how many people would have been hurt if that had been shot out of the sky, or if the missile had missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
other one Posted April 20, 2015 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 29 Topic Count: 596 Topics Per Day: 0.08 Content Count: 56,083 Content Per Day: 7.56 Reputation: 27,826 Days Won: 271 Joined: 12/29/2003 Status: Online Share Posted April 20, 2015 I haven't seen where it was, but from what I read it didn't get very close to the buildings... I agree that shooting anything in the air around the capitol complex is dangerous for it has to come down somewhere and the whole place is full of people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Patriot21 Posted April 20, 2015 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 28 Topic Count: 338 Topics Per Day: 0.05 Content Count: 15,705 Content Per Day: 2.46 Reputation: 8,522 Days Won: 39 Joined: 10/25/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 02/27/1985 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Dangerous yes, but for our country to lose the president because the as failed to shoot down a gyrocopter loaded with explosives. It would be disastrous, not only for us but the world economy. Previous administrations wouldve done it in a heart beat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayin jade Posted April 20, 2015 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 44 Topic Count: 6,178 Topics Per Day: 0.88 Content Count: 43,795 Content Per Day: 6.21 Reputation: 11,243 Days Won: 58 Joined: 01/03/2005 Status: Offline Share Posted April 20, 2015 Dangerous yes, but for our country to lose the president because the as failed to shoot down a gyrocopter loaded with explosives. It would be disastrous, not only for us but the world economy. Previous administrations wouldve done it in a heart beat Maybe the secret service was willing to let that happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Patriot21 Posted April 20, 2015 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 28 Topic Count: 338 Topics Per Day: 0.05 Content Count: 15,705 Content Per Day: 2.46 Reputation: 8,522 Days Won: 39 Joined: 10/25/2006 Status: Offline Birthday: 02/27/1985 Share Posted April 20, 2015 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1x1is1 Posted April 20, 2015 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 8 Topic Count: 2 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 1,146 Content Per Day: 0.27 Reputation: 732 Days Won: 1 Joined: 10/30/2012 Status: Offline Birthday: 04/10/1950 Share Posted April 20, 2015 To me it was obvious that the Secret Service did not detect the flight in real time. They knew he was planning the trip, but he flew under the radar actual capabilities, which is reported to be 40 feet. I don't accept that they did not shoot him down because they determined him to be a non-threat. If so, why did they send a robot to the copter to examine it and why was it necessary for a person a bomb suit to approach the machine? I agree jail time is necessary for this fellow. But once served and he gets out, he should be awarded some kind of medal for exposing a weak point in our defense. And it would only be appropriate if the President was forced to pin it on him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shiloh357 Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 The Secret Service head needs to be fired. If it can be shown that any agents on duty were derelict, they should be fired too. I hate to say it, but if they had been on the ball, that man would have been shot down. That's their job. They are not hired to be compassionate. They are hired to protect the president at any cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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