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As a senator from New York, Al D'Amato was known for his inventive filibusters. But the former lawmaker's latest speech was cut short Monday after he was booted from a plane as he attempted to convince passengers to turn against the flight crew over travel delays."I'm making an appeal to all you people: Stand up to what's right and walk out with me," D'Amato says in a video posted on Facebook by another passenger on D'Amato's JetBlue flight. "If you don't, then what do you stand up for?"The JetBlue flight was set to depart from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to New York City at around 1:40 p.m. Several delays changed the departure time to around 8:00 p.m., CNN reported.One passenger told CNN that tensions on the flight were inflamed after flight crew asked passengers to move to help balance the plane's weight. When some passengers refused to move, according to one account, D'Amato grew irritated with their refusal and the crew's reluctance to make them move. That's when, according to a passenger's account, he complained that "the captain needs to grow some balls.""They're throwing me off the plane because I complained about what they were doing," D'Amato said in a video captured by a passenger.Passengers booed in response. "I thought we had freedom of speech?" one asked.In a statement to CNN, JetBlue said D'Amato's behavior reflected why passengers would be removed from an aircraft. ...
... "Stand up for what's right and walk out with me," D'Amato said. "If you don't, then what do you stand up for?"D'Amato was then escorted from the plane by Broward County Sheriff's officers. The Sheriff Office referred comment to JetBlue, saying, "it's not a law enforcement issue."A passenger is seen leaving with D'Amato. Galante confirmed the Republican senator did not get back on the flight. ...
