Vegas paper gets subpoena to ID online commenters

Washington Post ^ | 6-16-09 | AP

[JohnKSmith]

LAS VEGAS -- A Nevada newspaper says it has been served a federal grand jury subpoena seeking information about readers who posted comments on the paper's Web site.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Tuesday that its editor, Thomas Mitchell, plans to fight the request, which the newspaper received after reporting on a federal tax fraud case against business owner Robert Kahre.

The subpoena seeks the identities and personal information about people who posted comments on the story. The newspaper said prosecutors told the judge in the case that some comments hinted at acts of violence and the subpoena was issued out of concern for jurors' safety.

[JohnKSmith]

Coming to Free Republic one day soon?

[freekitty]

It’s none of the governments damn business.

[GeronL]

I think the EU/or UK has just said you have no anonymity online.... someone should do a google check

[VicVega]

Very soon.

I have no doubt about it.

[slumber1]

That was the UK

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article6509677.ece

[microgood]

This US Attorney is out of control and should be fired. He should not be using Federal resources to satisfy his own personal ego.

[jeffc]

the subpoena asks the newspaper for the writers' gender, birth date, physical address, telephone number, Internet service provider, IP address and credit card numbers.

Huh? When has anyone had to give out that kind of info just to post a comment to a newspaper, or letter to the editor?

And who would give that info out, just to post a comment?

[Repeal The 17th]

"The newspaper said it received the subpoena June 2, a week after its story describing the government's case against Kahre, a Las Vegas construction company executive accused of paying contractors with gold and silver U.S. coins based on the precious metal value of the coins but using the much lower face value of the coins for tax purposes. Kahre and the other defendants have pleaded not guilty."

"The story drew nearly 175 online comments by Monday night, most in support of Kahre and critical of the government and jurors and attorneys in the case."

[Islander7]

He should not be using Federal resources to satisfy his own personal ego.

Thant, my FRiend, is how US attorneys, FBI agents and other government 'servants' advance their careers.

[Rebelbase]

You willing to go to jail if they come knocking on your door?

[microgood]

Thant, my FRiend, is how US attorneys, FBI agents and other government 'servants' advance their careers.

Great, and their budgets just keep growing.

[Jim Robinson]

No. Don’t give them a reson.

[Jim Robinson]

er, reason.

[Jim Robinson]

"some comments hinted at acts of violence"

That's one of the reasons we have a rule against posting threats of violence, etc.

[Carley]

Do you doubt it’s already here?

[Carley]

Good thing it wasn’t about an abortion provided to a 14 year old rape victim.

[VicVega]

"Do you doubt it’s already here?"

Yes, I do think Big Brother is here.

[Carley]

Google, Yahoo, and every other ISP would give up a subscriber in a heartbeat. O need only ask, or threaten.

[VicVega]

You are right.

The 0 appointed internet czar will try to shut down as many sites as they can in the next few years that oppose him.

[achilles2000]

“Hinting at” is entirely different from “threatening”. The The government thugs increasingly love to use vague standards that will allow them to intimidate, harass, or persecute virtually anyone.

I certainly agree that no one wants actual threats posted here, but if a “hinting at” standard is used all kinds of colloquial, obviously hyperbolic, and metaphorical language could be used as a pretext by the government to supress opposition.

On reflection, I probably shouldn’t have posted this because it may “blow up in my face”. On the other hand, the government might be “hoist on its own petard.” In any event, I am sure that the administration will “hang together.”