Posted on 09/28/2008 1:59:32 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt has released a statement denouncing the partisan Obama prosecutors and sheriffs in St. Louis and St. Louis county who are trying to suppress criticism of their candidate by threatening to prosecute anyone who releases what, in their view, is a "misleading" ad about him. (Here's my original post on this matter from Friday.)
Governor Blunt rightly calls it an "abuse of law for intimidation" -- and it is, indeed, one of the most overtly totalitarian efforts to chill free speech that I've seen in my lifetime.
Where are all the civil libertarians and lefties who have spent the last seven years bemoaning unproven "violations" of rights by the Bush administration? Surely they don't believe that terrorists deserve a more staunch defense of their rights than Obama critics do of theirs.
Update Now the prosecutors are backing down, with the help of the reporter who originally presented the story. They're claiming that they just intend to "set the record straight" about misleading claims, and that they don't intend to prosecute anyone.
But listen to the report (linked again here) which aired on St. Louis' KMOV, the city's CBS affiliate. Here are the newcaster's exact words: The Barack Obama campaign is asking Missouri law enforcement to target anyone who lies or runs a misleading TV ad during the presidential campaign. It says that these "truth squads" of prosecutors and sheriffs have been constituted at the request of the Obama campaign. Why limit the truth squad to law enforcement personnel -- unless one wants to intimidate one's critics, and convey the impression that prosecutions can and will ensue?
Furthermore, the reporter himself says of the prosecutors, "They also say they plan to respond immediately to any ads and statements that might violate Missouri ethics laws." And now they want us to believe that they plan to "respond" to violations of "Missouri ethics laws" simply by holding a press conference, or something?
This moment for the civil libertarians on the left is what the Monica Lewinsky scandal was for the feminists. When feminists took up for Bill Clinton -- who clearly sexually harassed a young intern in his employ -- it became clear their objections to Justice Thomas had nothing to do with substance (i.e. the treatment of women in the workplace). It was all about politics.
Now, if the lefties remain silent, it will be clear that all their hand-wringing about the alleged civil rights abuses of the Bush administration has nothing to do with concern for the Constitution -- and everything to do with their political agenda.
So, who do you like on American Idol?
Absolutely appalling.
It's almost as if the whole civil liberty schtick was a front for advancing leftwing politics. I'm shocked. Shocked!
So if I make misleading statements the Missouri law is coming after me?
Ok, Ok. obamma lamma ding dong is a true blue American who is also a free enterprise follower. He is a true christian and a fine accomplished politician. And even though his associations with a bevy of criminals and terrorists mean nothing he is the chosen one to lead the world from destruction.
Ok Illinois law, come and get me cause I surely have told a passel of lies here ya dumb asses.
Keep waiting. It will be a cold day in HELL before the ACLU comes to help. My Advice is CIVIL DISOBEDIANCE!! Courts will hold up the Freedom of Political Speech. It may take a citizen who is willing to bring it to the publics attention. GOOD LUCK MISSOURIANS..MAY GOD BE WITH YOU!!
Where are the Bob Barr supporters??? Why isn’t Mr must restore our freedoms Barr speaking about this???
Yup time to get their stories straight. It makes me wonder if this local tv station was in on the conspiracy to intimidate the citizens and simply expected the "report" to stay confined to Missouri.
I want to be the first Missourian prosecuted. First lie: B. Hussein Obama would be a good president. I’d say he sucks, but that would be the truth. How do I get prosecuted? Funny thing is, if he does prosecute anyone, his eligibility for POTUS can and will be brought into question!
“They’re claiming that they just intend to ‘set the record straight’ about misleading claims, and that they don’t intend to prosecute anyone.”
Doesn’t matter if these criminals “intend” to prosecute anyone.
If they conspired to abridge the civil rights of citizens they are in violation of Section 241 of Title 18 —
CONSPIRACY AGAINST RIGHTS
Summary:
Section 241 of Title 18 is the civil rights conspiracy statute. Section 241 makes it unlawful for two or more persons to agree together to injure, threaten, or intimidate a person in any state, territory or district in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him/her by the Constitution or the laws of the Unites States, (or because of his/her having exercised the same). Unlike most conspiracy statutes, **** SECTION 241 DOES NOT REQUIRE THAT ONE OF THE CONSPIRATORS COMMIT AN OVERT ACT PRIOR TO THEIR CONSPIRACY BECOMING A CRIME.****
{EMPHASES MINE}
The offense is punishable by a range of imprisonment up to a life term or the death penalty, depending upon the circumstances of the crime, and the resulting injury, if any.
TITLE 18, U.S.C., SECTION 241
If two or more persons conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or because of his having so exercised the same;...
They shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and if death results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, they shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both, or may be sentenced to death.
END
I WANT THESE CRIMINALS FINED (AND OR) IMPRISONED AND OUT OF A JOB AT A MINIMUM.
MAKE AN EXAMPLE OUT OF THEM.
IF THERE ACTIONS CAN BE TRACED TO OBAMA THEN HE SHOULD BE IMPEACHED AND REMOVED FROM THE SENATE.
STE=Q
This is the sort of issue that ought to cost B0 the election. Of course the national “news” media won’t report it. If it is not a question at the upcoming debates, McCain ought to mention it. But I suppose the reality of it is still so shocking and unbelievable most people will think what’s that crazy old man talking about. That can’t happen in America.
It’s being reported the DOJ may open an investigation for possible violations of civil rights. Let’s see the MSM try and ignore that although we all know they’ll give it their best shot. They’re so in the tank for Obama it’s pathetic.
FREEP mcCain to get these into an ad - from the ‘bambis own mouth - and FREEP our friendly media to blast this. and email these links to everyone you know and ask them to do the same. These 3 videos tells us all we need to know - shudder.
Combine these 3 clips and whadda ya get?
‘be smart to take out stock in Jack Boots and Brown Shirts.
“Obama campaign has instructed all Missouri law enforcement to target, intimidate, potentially arrest and prosecute anyone who says anything negative about Barack Obama. “
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIenDGSAdPA
His intention to create a “National Civilian” Police Force
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCMDur9CDZ4&feature=related
His Chicago street thug/Maxist instructions to his supporter to intimidate and “get in their faces”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwaAVJITx1Y
PS:
NOTICE THE WORDS “threaten” or “intimidate” in the statute.
Prosecutors/police have great power... and all they have to do is ‘suggest’ or ‘hint’ to a citizen (or citizens) that he /she will be in ‘trouble’ if he/she exercises his/her constitutional right to campaign against Obama (or any other candidate) for the aforementioned prosecutor/police to have ‘threatened’ and or ‘intimidated’ said citizen(s)and therefore, deprived the citizen(s)of there constitutional right of political speech under the constitution.
They may have also committed other violations.
This is NO different than certain tactics that were used in the south against black people in order to prevent them from voting etc.
STE=Q
“It’s being reported the DOJ may open an investigation for possible violations of civil rights”
If true, this is very good news!
We cannot let this crime be ‘swept under the rug’.
STE=Q
“It’s being reported the DOJ may open an investigation for possible violations of civil rights”
Where is this being reported???
It’s in the hands of Catherine Hanaway if she wants to pursue it. I hope these blogs are right in what they’re hearing about the DOJ.
Here's a link to someone claiming they heard the DOJ is planning to investigate. Don't know how accurate it is though.
There is no such thing as a "Civil Libertarian". People who call themselves Civil Libertarians are really just liberal Republicans who are either embarrassed to admit being liberal or embarrassed to admit being a Republican, depending on the company they happen to be in.
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