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FBI tactics chilling political speech
CNN.com ^ | 8/26/04 | Bob Barr

Posted on 08/27/2004 10:13:58 AM PDT by Hotline

(FindLaw) -- The FBI, no longer content with working to maintain order at political events, is now preemptively identifying and interrogating ("interviewing") possible demonstrators. It has summarized this strategy in a memo.

To make matters worse, the Department of Justice blessed the FBI strategy in its own memo -- suggesting that no First Amendment concerns are raised by the interrogations.

As I will explain in this column, however, the truth is quite to the contrary: The strategy, as outlined in the memo, is a serious threat to free speech.

Protest used to be part of the fun of politics

*snip*

Who can forget the great costumes and Nixon face masks that appeared at many political rallies and other events during the 1960s and early 1970s? Reagan and Clinton masks, the latter sometimes adorned with long, Pinocchio-type noses, added color and a bit of levity to political demonstrations throughout most of the 1980s and 1990s. There was, in a word, tolerance.

*snip*

But during that period, you didn't feel you were doing something criminal if you simply decided to show up at a rally with a protest T-shirt on, or lugging around a sloppy paperboard sign criticizing the president. You didn't feel intimidated.

Now, things are very different. The Administration and campaign of George W. Bush is squelching any possible hint of disagreement or protest at every political rally or gathering.

For example, people with T-shirts that hint at disagreement are not allowed anywhere near the events, nor even on the route traveled by the presidential motorcade. Think what they'd do to you if you showed up in a -- shudder -- mask.

But it's gotten even worse than that.

FBI memorandum on preemptive interrogation


(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: abuseofpower; activism; bobbarr; fbi; freespeech; lefties; patriotact; protest; rncconvention
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Haven't been here in a while, but am an old-time Freeper, lest those who don't know my background think I'm a troll.

Did a search for this article and didn't find it, and I'm very curious to see what others think about someone the likes of Bob Barr sounding the alarm.

I've ignored a lot of the whining from various quarters over the last few years, even though I have been quite concerned about the Patriot Act et al.

But... hmm... your thoughts?

Thanks!

Hotline
Co-Founder, Second Amendment Sisters
(right here on FreeRepublic, 2000)

1 posted on 08/27/2004 10:13:59 AM PDT by Hotline
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To: Hotline

No legitimate protestor needs to wear a mask.


2 posted on 08/27/2004 10:16:03 AM PDT by wideawake (God bless our brave soldiers and their Commander in Chief)
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To: wideawake
No ligitimate LEO needs to wear a mask.


3 posted on 08/27/2004 10:18:46 AM PDT by coloradan (Hence, etc.)
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To: Hotline
How dare the FBI chill political speech.

Everybody knows that's John McCain's job.

4 posted on 08/27/2004 10:18:47 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Drug prohibition laws help fund terrorism.)
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To: wideawake

When the tear gas is still lingering in NYC the middle of next week, we should write the authors of all these articles and ask them to comment.


5 posted on 08/27/2004 10:19:13 AM PDT by mvpel (Michael Pelletier)
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To: Hotline
I'm sorry to say that since he joined the ACLU Barr has been so consistently hyperbolic and/or wrong that I ignore him.

I hope his situation improves, he did good by the country before.

6 posted on 08/27/2004 10:21:18 AM PDT by mrsmith ("Oyez, oyez! All rise for the Honorable Chief Justice... Hillary Rodham Clinton ")
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To: Hotline
There are certain types of comments that elicit extra attention, especially with idiots wondering "if Bush should be assassinated". It would be sheer lunacy to turn a deaf ear in today's climate - it's not the government bringing it on the people anymore than a cop is hassling you if he stops you for running a red light and going around a corner with all four tires smoking - the behavior elicits the attention...
7 posted on 08/27/2004 10:21:25 AM PDT by trebb (Ain't God good . . .)
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To: Hotline
I think Bob Barr is right -- not that it's going to change anything.

Carolyn

8 posted on 08/27/2004 10:22:54 AM PDT by CDHart
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To: Hotline

The anarchists and violent lefties have nobody to blame but themselves.

We didn't see this type of mobilization during the DNC now did we?

Sounds to me like the FBI and the cops know who the troubls makers are and are taking appropriate steps to protect the delegates and the public.


9 posted on 08/27/2004 10:22:58 AM PDT by Bikers4Bush (Flood waters rising, heading for more conservative ground. Vote for true conservatives!)
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To: Hotline

10 posted on 08/27/2004 10:23:22 AM PDT by traumer
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To: coloradan

On the contrary, the LEO's need to worry about revenge attacks on themselves their families and their property.

The protestors have no such worries.


11 posted on 08/27/2004 10:24:02 AM PDT by Bikers4Bush (Flood waters rising, heading for more conservative ground. Vote for true conservatives!)
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To: Hotline

How dare the FBI try to prevent violence, property damage, and possible terrorist activity! Imagine if they had violated Lee Harvey Oswald's rights and squelched his freedom of speech! </sarcasm>

Oh btw, did that book get banned yet? Let's check with CNN.


12 posted on 08/27/2004 10:24:09 AM PDT by UseYourHead (This November, remember who the terrorists are voting for.)
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To: Hotline

Please show me one person whose yapping piehole has been silenced for yammering on about Bush. Fahrenheit 911 made $115 million dollars at the box office. There have been at least 50 Bush-bashing books that hit the best seller list this year. You can't throw a dead rat without hitting someone whining about Bush "squashing" free speech.

On the other hand, anyone worried about dissenters being cracked down upon should have serious qualms about John Kerry. Look at how he and his attack machine are trying to destroy the Swift Boat Vets for engaging in legal, peaceful dissent.


13 posted on 08/27/2004 10:24:29 AM PDT by VisualizeSmallerGovernment (Question Liberal Authority)
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To: trebb
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

With all due respect to Mr. Barr. Why is this part of the First Amendment igonred by the Leftist Brown Shirts? Why do the cities bend over backwards to them? they have no right to free speech in public if it is not peacable. DEFEND OUR CONSTITUTION from the leftist brown shirts.

14 posted on 08/27/2004 10:24:45 AM PDT by kazatzkeh (Beware of Socialist Humanist Intellectual Totalitarians)
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To: Hotline
Activists with a history of organising violent protest who are openly organising violent protest really don't fall under the "first they came for the jews, then they came for gypsies..." rubric.

I'd say Bob Barr is all wet, just this once.

No need for Troll disclaimer, btw.
15 posted on 08/27/2004 10:24:52 AM PDT by Belisaurius ("Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, Ted" - Joseph Kennedy 1958)
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To: Hotline
As a co-founder of SAS, your views are highly respected.

Bob Barr is a human just like the rest of us. When he supports the side for the advancement of the founding principles of Americans, he will be strongly supported.

When he attacked my own personal form of religion, he crossed an important line. My religion is none of his freaking business.

What he did during the Clinton years will always be respected. I still consider Bob Barr as one of the good guys.

16 posted on 08/27/2004 10:28:13 AM PDT by Hunble
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To: Hotline

A quick hypothetical to better understand the situation:

Person X is a protester. X has previously "protested" at events like the world monetary fund, and was a ringleader in sparking and sustaining the riots that occurred. Further, X also has a record of committing or conspiring to commit bombings in "protest" of something or other.

X now says they will "protest" the RNC convention in NYC.

Is the FBI wrong to go and talk to X before hand, to help X understand that any illegal activity will be seen and punished?

That is my understanding of how this is being handled - the FBI is checking in with people known for violent protest. Anyone with better info is free to correct this impression, if it is wrong.


17 posted on 08/27/2004 10:30:26 AM PDT by MortMan (John Kerry - Lt. Clueless, Junior Grade)
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To: wideawake
Oh, all right.
Release the 50 Islamic Mohammad guys screaming "death to the infidel". Someone got offended.
18 posted on 08/27/2004 10:32:15 AM PDT by concerned about politics ( Liberals are still stuck at the bottom of Maslow's Hierarchy)
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To: wideawake
No legitimate protestor needs to wear a mask.

I wore a mask a couple of times at Clintoon White House protests - I was in a Frankenstein getup with a cigar, making me Clintonstein.

The FBI needs to crack down on actions and threats, but a mask can be part of a protest getup.

19 posted on 08/27/2004 10:32:39 AM PDT by dirtboy (Forget Berger's socks - has ANYONE searched his skin folds for classified documents?)
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To: coloradan
No ligitimate LEO needs to wear a mask.

I disagree.

It is easy enough, when necessary, legally to get the identity of a masked LEO. In the meantime, his private life and the safety of his family are protected.

The same can't be said for a protestor, who may have been imported for the sole purpose of inciting mayhem and riot.

Government school graduate, huh?

20 posted on 08/27/2004 10:32:53 AM PDT by Publius6961 (I don't do diplomacy either)
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