I wasn't going to post on this subject for a little while to allow more comments, but I feel now is the time. Every person has the capability to snap. It is a known fact that short-term bouts of psychopathology do exist. I myself have worked in the service industry both as a worker and as management. What I have to say in my experience, both working and in my studies of psychology, the service industry is stressful and people will snap. This person should not be prosecuted to the fullest extent to which he is currently, rather he should be made aware to the dangers he caused to the passengers and flight crew also the cost to the company in the fact that they couldn't continue flights on that craft. What has been stated here and is understated in the media is that the passenger was at least partially at fault. What isn't in every form of the story (it doesn't mean it is or isn't true) is that the flight attendant asked for a simple apology before he made his announcement. I believe that the least that could be asked of the passenger at this point is an apology, but he should be treated no different from the flight attendant in the fact that he also broke the law and continued to endanger the passengers and flight crew as well.
Ok I'll step off of the soap box.