[QUOTE=PTravel;7467861]
Originally Posted by
Micromegas
I'm a lawyer. I know exactly what assault means (and it doesn't mean what you've quoted). However, the colloquial meaning is well understood. If you really want to get technical, "assault" means creating imminent apprehension of an unpermitted contact, and "unpermitted contact" is a "battery". However, "battery" doesn't carry the same colloquial import.
I always enjoy a good discussion, particularly with those who hold views contrary to mine. When I take a position (at least an unqualified one), it's the result of having given it some thought. However, I'm always open to having my mind changed. As I said, "seat kicking by children," is, at least in my experience, far from epidemic, particularly when compared to other annoying conduct by some passengers. However, it's rarity doesn't mean that it should be tolerated when encountered. I'm still waiting to hear someone explain why it should be privileged if the passenger doing the kicking is a child.
I would have guessed you were a judge as you've been doing a lot of that.
As I am sure you know, the definition I provided comes from the dictionary (which is where I and the rest of the sans-culottes turn to define our terms). I am sure that you also know that dictionaries provide colloquial definitions. I have yet to find one that defines "assault" as any form of the word "annoying". Your legal definition also does not contain the word "annoying". Do you have a source beyond the fact that you say so? My apologies if you are also a linguistic anthropologist who is in the process of writing your own dictionary. Would you actually tell a victim of assault (a violent attack - from Webster) that, in a colloquial sense, what they suffered is the same as having your seat kicked by a child?
Is it your opinion that if my two year old kicks a seat that a battery has been committed and my child risks being arrested and charged with assault? How much time in juvenile hall for that? Does my child risk being charged as an adult for this crime?
I guess that when my child and I travel next month (to see his dying great grandmother - the nerve of me and my entitlements!), I should bring bail money in the very unlikely case he kicks a seat.
I, nor any parent IMO, has argued that seat kicking is OK or "privileged" behavior. It is something that very rarely occurs despite our best efforts to control it (I know you don't care about that). I fly as little as possible with my child, but I feel that my situation now is worth the gamble. I feel that denying my grandmother her dying wish because of the very slim chance that you might be annoyed (assaulted in your dictionary) reeks of entitlement on your part.
Thanks very much for your time in this debate. I also think you "rock". I'm sure I can't afford your hourly but maybe I could buy you a chocolate milk sometime?