It is clearly wrong to infringe the letter of the law as, for example, many Greeks do. It is also wrong to infringe the spirit of the law. But, as last week’s dispute over Goldman Sachs' bonuses shows, it is also increasingly important to take account of the spirit of the times.
An American Airlines flight from Washington to Dallas was forced to land in Nashville after a Dallas woman lit her flatulence to disguise its odour; several passengers noticed a suspicious smell.

The Dallas woman, who had ignited her fart in the lavatory, had not been forthcoming about the burning smell noticed by other passengers.  All passengers and crew were disembarked while the plane and luggage were searched.


A bomb sniffing dog located her spent matches and the woman admitted to lighting her fart to disguise odor after a "lengthy questioning" by the FBI.  She said her flatulence was caused by a medical condition.

A spokeswoman for Nashville airport said "Since there was no malice involved and the incident was accidental, she was not charged with anything."

After the flight resumed, the woman was not allowed back on the plane.