Pacifist Pastor Sues Government Over Iraq Trip Penalties

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBBTJHB69E.html

NEW YORK (AP) - A pacifist pastor who lost his New Jersey ministry after a 2003 trip to Iraq sued the U.S. government Wednesday, saying regulations banning travel there were unconstitutional.
The Rev. Frederick Boyle, 57, asserted violations of the First and Fifth amendments and international law in his lawsuit against the Treasury Department in federal court in Manhattan.

He asked the court to stop the government from enforcing travel sanctions imposed in January 1991 that prohibit U.S. citizens in most instances from traveling to Iraq.

The Methodist minister said he was penalized $6,700 for what the Treasury Department called unauthorized travel to Iraq in February and March 2003 to protest the imminent bombing of Baghdad.

Until April 2008, when the statute of limitations runs out, the pastor also could face a $1 million fine and 12 years in prison if he's convicted of knowingly committing the civil violations with which he was charged.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

1. (Pacifist) Pastor Sues U.S. Over Iraq Trip Penalties

NEW YORK -- A pacifist pastor who lost his New Jersey ministry after a 2003 trip to Iraq sued the U.S. government Wednesday, saying regulations banning travel there were unconstitutional.

The Rev. Frederick Boyle, 57, asserted violations of the First and Fifth amendments and international law in his lawsuit against the Treasury Department in federal court in Manhattan.

He asked the court to stop the government from enforcing travel sanctions imposed in January 1991 that prohibit U.S. citizens in most instances from traveling to Iraq.

The Methodist minister said he was penalized $6,700 for what the Treasury Department called unauthorized travel to Iraq in February and March 2003 to protest the imminent bombing of Baghdad.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-peace-pastor,1,5660752.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines

[oblivious]

2. Because people who believe in peace are a danger to society.

Yet people who advocate mass murder are considered model citizens.

Peace-loving nuns on no-fly lists. Minister persecuted and prosecuted for promoting peace.

What a fuckin screwed-up world!

[keopeli]

3. kick

[lumpy]

4. Freedom

US style