by TChris

Federal prosecutors love to bring Patriot Act prosecutions, even when they can't find appropriate targets for the law's anti-terrorism provisions. Hence the decision to charge David Banach, who the Justice Department admits is not a terrorist.

Banach was charged with "interfering with a flight crew" by shining a laser at a charter jet flying over his home. Banach's lawyer says that Banach was playing with his daughter in the back yard, using the laser to point at trees and stars.

Banach's attorney blasted federal officials for what she called an overreaction. "One would think they would want to devote their time and resources to prosecuting real terrorists, not people like my client," Gina Mendola-Longarzo told the Associated Press.

The Justice Department -- noting recent but unrelated reports of lasers shining on airplanes -- says it wants to "send a message." The message it is sending: we have nothing better to do. Assuming there's evidence that Banach acted intentionally, his crime was disorderly conduct. Treating him as if he's a terrorist, when he admittedly isn't, demonstrates bad judgment in the extreme.