[ RadSafe ] Man pleads guilty in plot to build mobile death ray

[Clayton J Bradt]

Conspiring to do something that is physically impossible, however
reprehensible the intent, should not be a crime.  Neither building a remote
on/off switch, nor an x-ray system, are  illegal acts, per se.  For that
matter, designing and building a weapons system is perfectly legal and in
fact is one of this country's leading industries.  Thousands of individuals
work in private companies and government facilities creating the most
abominable destructive devices and are unmolested by the FBI or US
Attorneys.  Suppose these two clowns, after building their death ray,
decided to sell it to the US government?  That would make them
entrepreneurs, not terrorists.

Clayton J. Bradt
Principal Radiophysicist
NYS Dept. of Health
518-474-1993
*****************************************************
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 21:29:34 +0000
From: "KARAM, PHILIP" <PHILIP.KARAM at nypd.org>
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Man pleads guilty in plot to build mobile
		 death ray
To: "radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu" <radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu>
Message-ID:
		 <B613ACC2CEBC364D915CEE143FE33C3B064590 at S1PPXM04.nypd.finest>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Intent to commit a crime has always been punishable as long as that intent
was leading towards an illegal act. So, for example, saying "I ought to
kill (fill in the blank)" is just spouting off; buying a rope, lead bricks,
a body bag, and conducting surveillance on (fill in the blank) is against
the law, even if you never actually use them.

Similarly, conspiring to commit an illegal act - putting together a team,
developing an action plan, and taking concrete steps towards your nefarious
goal - is illegal even if you are busted before committing the crime. In
fact, this is usually lauded as good policing.

The question that this particular case raises is whether or not it's
illegal to have a conspiracy that plots to do something that's physically
impossible. In other words, should these jokers go to prison, to summer
school for remedial physics, or should they be institutionalized?

Andy

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu [
mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of Clayton J Bradt
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2014 4:23 PM
To: radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu
Subject: [ RadSafe ] Man pleads guilty in plot to build mobile death ray



It is frightening that thought crimes are punished in this country.  How
did we come to this and how do we get out of it?

Clayton J. Bradt
Principal Radiophysicist
NYS Dept. of Health
518-474-1993