Posted on 06/07/2009 7:24:24 PM PDT by bmweezer
At a family picnic tonight, I heard a story so unsettling and unreal, that I thought it was a joke until confirmed otherwise.
A number of weeks ago, my uncle through marriage took it upon himself in a public place (a local convenience store) to criticize the policies of Barack Obama which was heard by a few patrons.
A little background on my relation: he is a burly man with a creative tongue who, when speaking makes clear his opinions to everyone around him, but does so more to steam and vent than to do 'anything' about it. On this particular day in this particular store, Uncle Ted explained to his friend who was with him, as they stood in line to buy a weekday lunch, that he disliked the new president and the socialist policies that he was pushing in Washington. Further, my uncle indicated that he didn't care if our president was black, yellow or purple, but Obama's policies convinced him that the president was nothing more than a stupid you-know-what (starting in "n".)
Weeks later, my uncle arrived at his job early in the morning like he always does, and was called into his boss's office and berated because of his off-comment. Apparently someone in the store had heard Uncle Ted's rant, took his license number and thanks to a ID badge that was on my uncle's person, wrote a note to my uncle's company detailing what supposedly happened that day.
More background: my Uncle works for a private company, is a member of a Union, in an industry that is heavily regulated but not one that is receiving funding or loans from the federal government.
When my Uncle was approached about this letter, he was not told whom wrote the letter nor was he given a chance to explain what he said, nor was his given the opportunity to refute one or more of the charges presented. Rather, management indicated that it was "on good authority" that the words mentioned were real and were a bad reflection for one of their employees. Further, my uncle was put on two weeks unpaid leave and immediately placed on two-year's probation for something he said off the clock in a public place. In the end, if it weren't for his Union ties, my uncle believed that he would have likely been fired altogether. Upon exiting the meeting, Ted was given a copy of the letter for his files, which he received with the name of the accuser blacked out.
The letter stated specifically what my Uncle had said, but was then peppered with inaccuracies, including the author's opinion that my uncle had threatened the president's life and the policies that the president was supporting.
Unfortunately, this story took one final turn when the secret service arrived at Uncle Ted's home, where the plain-clothed officers preceded to check each room for 'anti-Obama material' and possible 'contraband.' In addition, the service agents asked my uncle to give an inventory of the type of weapons on the property (a few licensed guns for hunting purposes) and asked if he had friends near or in Washington, D.C.
I was stunned.
This is Middle America folks, with the closest city at least three hours a way, in an area that while it continues to trend-Republican, is one that has never been known for the inclusion or support of bigoted organizations that very often votes for Democrats in local and state elections, while remaining Red in national elections. Simply said, our town is like many in the United States that like our politics real and slighly right-of-center in a 'don't cause any waves' type of way.
My uncle is no different, and if this is happening here in an area far from a large political hub, it begs the question as to what are Obama's supporters doing elsewhere?
Scary stuff and a story worth repeating.
When are you going to upgrade to a computer and dsl/cable connection?
I used a webTV circa 1997 but just for a few months
Like that ELO song “Evil Woman.”
She looks like she really hates white people.
(The Peoples Republic of) Oregon.
.
I have had and used my RCA WebTV Plus receiver with a wireless keyboard plus a remote for web and TV use and to control 3 TVs amd my Marantz audio receiver/tuner/amp since Christmas of 2000
No software, no viruses, no servers, no scans needed, no security software, no BS
I got a brand new MSN Ultimate TV wireless IR keyboard from Amazon a few months ago that was shipped FREE with my Amazon PRIME account - and paid under $21 for it - it only uses 2 AA batteries instead of the WebTV wireless keyboards 4 AA batteries - and they last 4-7 months
A bit bigger keyboard - handy if my lib NYC sister visits as she is used to a larger PC keyboard - and has some unique features that control DVD or VCR or CD recording with a little experimenting
Microsoft now does automatic software updating as their new features are brought online - Flash to about .3 - .ram amd .rm audio streaming music and audio for instant loading - more TV PIP stuff, TV, videocam, and photo vidcap and still uploading and audio recording to attach to emails or your own websites
The newer MSNTV & MSNTV2 receivers do not have the memory and TV and image options that the older WebTVs have
Norbert uses an MSNTV2 connected via the PC port on his cable modem
But I don’t need or want a second receiver or PC
Simplicity and portability beat the PCs - and I dislike laptops
The WebTV Plus receiver video output jack can also be connected to huge TVs or HDTVs
Sitting tethered to a PC unit a few feet away is tiresome and uncomfortable and limiting
The keyboards will control 2 TVs at once - Something never considered at Microsoft
I can surf FR and watch NASCAR, NFL, and the cable TV news all at the same time
MSN Tech Hotline tells me my circa 2000 RCA WebTV Plus is too old and should be updated to an MSNTV2 or a PC
No thanks
I wonder if I can program my WebTV wireless keyboard to control my microwave and check on my snailmail
Biggest problem was getting the right IR code to program and control control my Marantz amp/tuner with my WebTV Plus hand remote control
No “auto-search” for the code worked
IR Codes should be required to be imprinted on all mfg tags on the back panel
Good for GS.
I’m not sure how this is any different.
Involvement of the USSS?
Lolol, Michelle’s probably afraid Carla is going to stab her with that nose....
___________
Oh please, MO would kill for that nose instead of the big fat wide blob on her face.
“The letter stated specifically what my Uncle had said, but was then peppered with inaccuracies, including the author’s opinion that my uncle had threatened the president’s life and the policies that the president was supporting. “
This seems to be occuring often. You say something bad about the President, some Pod Person will say you threatened the President’s life to ‘punish you’ it seems.
One day your Y2K WebTV will bite the dust and you will have to find something new. A few years ago I chucked some of their remotes and keyboards. What a shame because I would send you it for free
Laptops are ridiculous but I have one anyway. A few desktops too
You have the right approach relaxing on a sofa(?) and surfing the internet on two big size TVs
How come you claim images pop up very fast for you even though you are on a 56k modem? I don’t get that
I have kids. I’d rather lay low and defend them.
I don’t care to put them in danger from the thugs.
Good morning, everyone. I posted this at GOPNation.com and I can tell you that this story is true. Since my uncle did not give me permission to retell this story with names and places, I felt best to make it as vague as possible. No reason to get more people in trouble. With that being said, if there are people here that don’t believe the story, so be it. Just a good rule of thumb is to watch what you say in public.
And if anyone thinks that the Government is not already watching FReepers, he/she is nuts.
We are off Google as well.
I call BS.
I believe that under the Patriot Act - another one of those Bills that sprung full grown from Congress although no one read it before voting on it - some LEO’s can write their own supoenas.
Your Uncle needs to sue his company for violation of his first amendment rights and look for a new job.
Lots of administrative agencies can write their own subpoenas. There is a difference between a subpoena and a search warrant.
If the man let the SS into the house they have a right to search?
Damn ... let’s get names and sources here ..... I want to know more myself.
Better yet shout it out loud and proud (like Gene Simmons) and get everyone else to do so.
They can't arrest all of us...
Unlike (then) in the Soviet Bloc, one doesn’t have to be paid to make such reports!
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