FR Exclusive: Howard Dean donor writes novel on how to assassinate Bush

Drudge Report, The Washington Post, FEC ^ | June 29, 2004 | Linton Weeks

[nwrep]

In Nicholson Baker's new novella, "Checkpoint," a man sits in a Washington hotel room with a friend and talks about assassinating President Bush.

It's a work of the imagination and no attempts on the president's life are actually made, but the novel is likely to be incendiary, as with Michael Moore's documentary, "Fahrenheit 9/11."

Flush with the headline-generating success of "My Life," by Bill Clinton, Alfred A. Knopf is planning to publish Baker's work Aug. 24, on the eve of the Republican National Convention. "Checkpoint" is 115 pages long and will sell for $18.

Though it is against the law to threaten the president in real life, a work of fiction is usually protected by the First Amendment.

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My research: Nicholson Baker is a contributor to Howard Dean:

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Total for this search: $250

Contributor	Occupation	Date	Amount	Recipient
BAKER, NICHOLSON SOUTH BERWICK,ME 03908	SELF EMPLOYED/WRITER	9/21/2003	$250	Dean, Howard

[streetpreacher]

The Islamofascists couldn't hold back the hell fury if they ever attempted such a thing. FReepers would raise up a "volunteer" army numbering in the millions.

[streetpreacher]

Well, for one thing, if Bill were to get knocked off, everyone would know who was behind it.

[Michael Smith]

"Do you think an author can constitutionally be prevented from writing a fictional story involving the assasination of the President?"

Yes.

[streetpreacher]

I was checking out the d.u. site yesterday for the left's reaction to the Iran handover...

Sorry, that should have read Iraqi handover, my bad.

Patience, grasshopper, patience.

[Michael Smith]

"Criminal intent? Intent, as the cliche goes, is not a crime. As for criminal mischief, I'm really sure what you mean by that.

What planet do you hail from?

[streetpreacher]

say, for example, a fictitious plot wherein the Big Oil companies sought unsuccessfully to have Jimmy Carter assassinated for attempting to conserve oil consumption

Hmmmm.... well, as they say, "Hindsight is everything."

[Michael Smith]

"Hmmmm.... well, as they say, "Hindsight is everything."

Well, at least if you have uninvited company show up at your door tonight, you'll know why they're there. Heh heh.

[nwrep]

So a guy donates $250 to a presidential candidate AND writes a book, and you think that's newsworthy?

Yes I think it is newsworthy, and for the following reason. It is just one more example, in a growing list that now has dozens, that shows the unprecedented personal vendetta and hatred that liberals in the Democrat party have for our President. This is not an isolated incident, nor is it an exception to an otherwise friendly face of the Democrat party. These events help raise the political consciousness of people on my side, and makes them appreciate what we are up against.

[birbear]

Ummm... let's see, so you are one of those who think it's a Free Speech right to yell "Fire!" in a crowded theatre, or joke with the baggage screeners at the airport that you have a bomb in your suitcase?

Ummm... don't ya think there's a HUGE difference between words on a piece of paper and the ACTION of yelling "fire!" in a crowded theater or joking about a bomb?

Words (especially on a piece of paper) don't do anything. Words expressed with emotion behind them can do something.

[streetpreacher]

S'okay. I have nothing to fear from the Secret Service as the Oil Companies are much more powerful.

The SS is run by a secret Skull and Bones member whose name here will not be identified.

The Evil Oil Companies, on the other hand, are under the direct control of...

SATAN!

[Michael Smith]

"Words (especially on a piece of paper) don't do anything. Words expressed with emotion behind them can do something."

How old are you? About nineteen or so? I am not so much against what you are saying from an ideological standpoint as I am a purely pragmatic standpoint. Like it or not, I don't think you can can consider it a free speech issue to be able to write a "story" about killing a real live sitting President. Don't you understand the multitude of implications behind blanketly allowing that?

I'm no newbie to this site, and some years ago an individual on this site posted something that was clearly a joke about doing away with Slick Willie. You know what happened next. Within an hour after the post, two US Secret Service agents knocked on his door and questioned him extensively about his remark. They knew he wasn't really serious, but it didn't matter. I guess my point here is that there is a line here that we cannot cross, even if we fundamentally disagree with it. Yes, we live in a free country, but we still must obtain a permit to assemble in public. Yes, we have free speech, but not when it broaches on the advocation of militant overthrow of the government. Common sense should apply here, and common sense tells me, as someone who has written previously published work, that one cannot write whatever they want and hide behind the banner of "It's just fiction."

[Michael Smith]

"The Evil Oil Companies, on the other hand, are under the direct control of... SATAN!"

Or Allah. Actually, I believe they are one and the same.

[CyberAnt]

But .. legally .. I do think the author/publisher could be in trouble for "inciting to commit violence".

There's one big way around it. We can pray and provide a hedge of protection around our President.

Here's what you do: Everytime the President or a member of his family or admin comes to mind, just open your mouth and repeat this scripture .. Thank You Father GOD that "no weapon formed against President Bush and his family and his administration can prosper" [Isa 54:17]

GOD watches over His Word to perform it. As soon as we say it .. angels are dispatched to perform it.

[birbear]

I'm no newbie to this site, and some years ago an individual on this site posted something that was clearly a joke about doing away with Slick Willie. You know what happened next. Within an hour after the post, two US Secret Service agents knocked on his door and questioned him extensively about his remark. They knew he wasn't really serious, but it didn't matter.

My age is rather immaterial, but I'm 33.

I think there's something vastly different between a novel (an obvious work of fiction) and an anonymous posting on a website (something inherently sinister about it being anonymous.)

Obviously if somebody sends a letter, posts a message, leaves a voice mail, tacks a note on a tree threatening the President (or anybody specific for that matter) it needs to be investigated.

A book, a novel, a piece of fiction that has been written for entertainment purposes doesn't qualify (in my opinion, and I think in the opinion of the USSC) as a legitimate threat to anybody.

Is it tacky and tasteless, unquestionably so. Is it done to create controversy to create more sales, of course it is. Does it cross the line? I don't think so.

I'm very adamant about my first amendment protections (I've made my living as a writer for a period of time). Without strong first amendment protections, it doesn't matter who we have sitting in whatever office.

[Michael Smith]

Fundamentally I agree with all that you have said, but I am dubious that the federal government would agree. If I were to write a piece of fiction advocating the murder of any current real-life political figure, whether it was the President or a city councilman, I would not be surprised if some law enforcement agency came to question me. So, I guess that what you are saying is true in that a person can perhaps write such a piece, but that does not mean that some government law enforcement agency wouldn't find some way to deem it a threat and quash it.

[COBOL2Java]

I can't bear to picture a Cheney/Hastert ticket, of course.

Wouldn't necessarily be Hastert. IIRC, the Vice President, upon assuming office, selects his Veep. LBJ selected Hubert Humphrey, a Senator at the time. As gruesome as it is, it would be interesting to see Cheney select Condi Rice.

[birbear]

If I were to write a piece of fiction advocating the murder of any current real-life political figure, whether it was the President or a city councilman, I would not be surprised if some law enforcement agency came to question me.

Aye. I think you stumbled upon a key word there. "Advocating." If I wrote something like, "Man, I really hate Sen. X. I really think a bunch of people should off him. In fact, I'll pay $500 to the first person who brings me the head of Sen. X" then yeah, I would expect a knock on my door and probably be put in jail. That's a clear and imminent threat on the life of somebody.


If, however, I wrote, "On a lazy day in July, three brothers in their upper west side apartment were having a conversation. 'Ya know,' said one, 'I've got a friend who works as a staff member at the Capitol Building. We can have Sen X.'s itinerary for the next week and figure out the best time to blow his brains out.'" I might still expect a knock on my door from investigators, but I'd fight as far as I could for my right to write and publish a piece like that.

Without reading the book we don't know if Baker is "advocating" the assassination or just "telling" us of the assassination. I agree, it's a fine hair, but it's one that I'm willing to split.

[Michael Smith]

I suppose the assessment of whether or not one is "advocating" the assassination of a political figure is a tricky/sticky issue, and one no doubt that would most likely result in a "visit" from those guys in suits and sunglasses. Nonetheless, I see your point in at least the veil of having Constitutional protection for such a piece of fiction.

[Modernman]

"Do you think an author can constitutionally be prevented from writing a fictional story involving the assasination of the President?"

Yes.

Well, then I guess you don't really understand the Constitution, now do you?

[No Surrender No Retreat]

This fool would have taken dirt nap if billy boy were in office. The double standard lives on.