A British pilot flying solo around the world was arrested by U.S. police after trying to land his plane at George Bush’s ranch in Texas.
Retired vet Maurice Kirk, 63, wanted to “drop in” on the president to say thanks after American coastguards saved his life two months ago…
But when the former drinking pal of hellraising actor Oliver Reed touched down six miles from the Bush ranch armed security officials quickly surrounded his light aircraft…
Mrs Kirk, 48, said: “Maurice realised he could not land at the president’s ranch so he put his aircraft down nearby.
“He intended to walk to the ranch gates and pin a thank you note on them for Mr Bush.
“But instead a car drove towards him and he found two Smith and Wessons pointed at him. He was handcuffed, put in a police car while several other cars drew up – he thinks there were 11 altogether.”
Silly bugger…
What is wrong by thanking the coast guards… they are the ones who saved you, you gonzo goofball. Not G.W.!!! Do you think a guy that chokes on a pretzel would be able to “save” you from anything?
I think the pilot got what he deserves… what else would you expect when approaching, by plane, the residence of one of the most “controversial” leaders of this period in history. By controversial I mean something else…
#1…
Umm, I don’t think Bush being “controversial” has anything to do with it. Presumably the secret service protects presidents of all interest levels, even the dullest ones.
Yet another overreaction to whatever the hell it is we overreact to.
not too smart – no wonder he admired bush
Don’t thank Bush … for anything.
Uhh, actually he was arrested for flying into restricted air space. Doesn’t matter why he did it. Good reminder to read and heed the aeronautical charts that clearly show these areas.
Years ago when I violated airspace, I got a letter from the FAA advising me not to do it again. That was back when you didn’t need a reservation and a ticket to hike in Public Parks.
Times change, usually for the worse.
I expect after this he will attempt to fly in to thank Steve personally for making the iMac, the best computer for children, and Bill for making one for adults, and then drop in on Clinton and Obama to thank them for helping McCain get elected.
Is he bloody DAFT?
Re the epithet.
Did the writer mean the visitor – or the President?
Not at all clear on this one.
The pilot may have violated the air space – but – which air space (and whose)?
The flying air space or the air space between the ears?
Not at all clear on that one either
He should have thanked the Coast Guard personally, its not likely the monkey knew anything anyway.
I wonder if this British pilot thinks it is OK to fly onto the lawn of Buckingham Palace to make a surprise visit to the Queen?
I’m sure if it had been a Gulfstream and the guy had a nice large contribution to the repug party, he’d have had no trouble getting past the gate.
Billionaires for Bush!!
Nice of him to say thank you, but obviously not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
Okay… So it appears he did fly through the airspace… Oh well…
It isn’t an overreaction to investigate him. It’s an overreaction to cuff him and detain him and have a psychiatric exam.
His crime appears to be that he’s the sort of guy who just chooses to live life on his own terms, and goddamnit… we aren’t gonna stand for any individualism in these United States of America.
Gotta love publicity whores.
Wow, a 12 miles no fly zone. Good to know. What I am really curious about, is why this guy didn’t bother to thank the US coast guards instead?
Of course he’s crazy: there is a law, so how could you not be crazy in violating it?
Besides: who retells wild stories about sharks?
Oh brother! What else did he expect? He surely did this for publicity. Maybe to bump up his page hits. I know he got one from me after reading this story.
BTW, it’s Louisiana not Luisiana.
So it’s not just the White House that has a no fly zone around it. Also the homes of current and former Prez and VPs. And probably their musuem / libraries as well. The president worshipers want to declare one of Nixon’s former homes (in my town) an historical sight. So I can assume that a no fly zone might be in force there soon? It a good thing presidents don’t live forever. Or the useable airspace would be gobbled up by their offlimits zones. I’ll bet that even the ranch where Dick Cheney goes to shot lawyers, is off limits to air traffic. Got to keep the photogs from annoying him. Right?