Man Jailed For Bush Remark

CNEWS ^ | December 6, 2002 | December 6, 2002

[Reaganwuzthebest]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- A man who made a remark about a "burning Bush" during the president's March 2001 trip to Sioux Falls was sentenced Friday to 37 months in prison.

Richard Humphreys of Portland, Ore., was convicted in September of threatening to kill or harm the president and said he plans to appeal. He has said the comment was a prophecy protected under his right to free speech.

Humphreys said he got into a barroom discussion in nearby Watertown with a truck driver. A bartender who overheard the conversation realized the president was to visit Sioux Falls the next day and told police Humphreys talked about a "burning Bush" and the possibility of someone pouring a flammable liquid on Bush and lighting it.

"I said God might speak to the world through a burning Bush," Humphreys testified during his trial. "I had said that before and I thought it was funny."

[1rudeboy]

What's a monthe?

A unit of division that separates a yeare into twelve, relatively equal periods of time.

[unspun]

Sheesh. Parole or pardon this guy and don't be jerks.

[billclintonwillrotinhell]

It sounds like a guy got drunk in a bar and said something
that doesn't even make all that much sense. I can't believe
they'd sentence the guy to 37 months, unless there's some
other behavior that was threatening. I would think a long
talk from a 6-foot-5 Secret Service agent would be enough
to send the necessary message to this Bush-hater.

If this guy gets 37 months, alec baldwin should be in for
life and the liberals on craig kilborn's show should be
on death row!

Am I in any danger of being locked up for the screen name
that I use on FreeRepublic? Do illegal threats extend into
the after-life?

[rockfish59]

Now that's awesome news. I just figured the lib creeps got a pass on it.
I hope the SOB's were 'sweating bullets!'

[cynicom]

55...

I am well aware of the original saying. This speak no evil towards the office of the mighty president is a relativly recent infringement on free speech. The onus is that the law was made for one man. As we have seen in past history, the talkers do nothing, the person bent on killing will do so, no law, no effort, of the SS will thwart that individual. If Bush or any other president is so fearful, then he should not have "sought" that office. I have no time or concern for those that thirst for power and after they achieve it, desire to restrict the rights of others to quell their fear.

As a case in point, Ted Kennedy, did not let his thirst for power overcome his good senses. Any seeker of power over others, yet fears for his very life, has got to be not a man at all.

[ApesForEvolution]

When are Craig Kilborn or Alec Baldwin being tried? With what little information is herein, they're statements should get them the drip, drip, drip...

[patriciaruth]

I hope the ***'s were 'sweating bullets!'

Dear Craig was very, very subdued for several weeks before he tentatively put his toe back into political satire.

The really fun part was that the SS also tramped all over his parent company, somethingPants, which Dave Letterman owns. TeeHee.

[patriciaruth]

I'm sure I wasn't the only one to call the Secret Service. The fellow at the Los Angeles office taking the report didn't sound that interested, so I cried and reminded him that Bobby Kennedy had been assassinated in Los Angeles, and I couldn't stand it if that sort of thing happened again. He became more understanding after that.

The only insane black congresswoman I can readily bring to mind is Maxine Waters. Is she the one you remember?

Luckily I had put my foot down and told my husband I was leaving L.A. with or without him before the Rodney King riots. We had the luxury of watching places a block from where we lived and I used to work go up in flames on television from 150 miles away. I didn't see a lot of the footage, so missed whoever the evil witch was saying that.

[BubbaJunebug]

37th monthes?

Bye, Dick.

HeHe...in a manner of speaking I would guess so.

[Deep_6]

re:
"..a barroom discussion in nearby Watertown with a truck driver.
A bartender who overheard the conversation..."

So much for freedom of speech. I trust they took away his right
to own a firearm also?   </sarcasm>

[RnMomof7]

Pleasssssssssse

[steve50]

When the rulers fear the ruled, we have problems.

Well, you guys have turned government upside down.

When the government fears the people you have freedom, when the people fear the government you have tyranny.

In systems like Red China and Communist Russia the rulers don't fear the ruled, perhaps many would be more satisfied under their systems.

[Kangaroo Court]

I suppose some would just like to wait until this evil person takes a shot at Bush or starts a fire somewhere that endangers the president. He has a history and should face the consequences of his actions. You defenders, if you don't like the law, work to get it changed. Otherwise, accept the conservative idea of actions result in consequences.

Man who threatened Bush: Drought will worsen if he's persecuted
CARSON WALKER
Associated Press

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - A Portland, Ore., man who threatened President Bush told a federal judge Monday that South Dakota's drought will worsen if he doesn't get credit for mistakes in his criminal record.

Richard Humphreys also told U.S. District Judge Lawrence Piersol that if he shows mercy in sentencing, God will show mercy to him.

Humphreys, wearing a prison uniform and a scruffy beard, was scheduled to be sentenced Monday for remarking about a "burning Bush" during the president's March 2001 trip to Sioux Falls.

But after a two-hour hearing, Humphreys' lawyer was given until next week to argue why his client should get less time in prison and not more. Sentencing now is scheduled for Dec. 6. Humphreys could get up to five years in prison.

He was arrested in Sioux Falls and indicted for threatening to kill or harm the president.

In September, a federal jury took just over an hour to convict him.

Humphreys has said the comment about a "burning Bush" was a prophecy that offers First Amendment protection.

He calls himself prophet Israel Humphreys. He said a similar reference he made in a Christian Internet chatroom was a joke and that neither can be viewed as a threat on the president.

During a 45-minute address to Piersol Monday, Humphreys said he was wrongfully imprisoned for two years and that other charges against him such as disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and making terrorist threats should not be weighed against him in the current case.

He said many of the marks on his record are from being harassed by local law enforcement who put him on a "police haters list" and interfered with his church teachings.

"It's not the evilness of the person before you but the county that was evil," Humphreys told Piersol, who listened expressionless. "I think you're a wise enough man to look at some of this and say this is church business."

Humphreys said that because he's a prophet, South Dakota will suffer if he is persecuted.

"The Bible says that if you mistreat a prophet, you will have drought," he said.

Humphreys also said Piersol's eternity could be affected by the sentence. "God says what mercy you show will be showed toward you," he told the judge.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Hack said Humphreys gets in trouble with the law wherever he goes and deserves a longer sentence.

"This is an individual who uses religion as a shield," Hack said.

Humphreys' lawyer, William Delaney, said his client has a history of mental illness "and shouldn't be punished for that."

http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/news/4602545.htm

[csvset]

This guy, Richard Humphreys, calls himself , "The Prophet of Israel", (go figure).

Here's a link to to a Sioux Falls television station. Click on the video link on the page and hear the "prophet" speak.

Prophet of Israel Sentenced

Note: Israel is misspelled on the video link on the tv stations website. Lol, it is South Dakota.

[Deep_6]

Freedom of Speech.

 

 

Ever hear of that?

[Ed_in_NJ]

As one of those that reacted to Secret Service abuse of citizens that spoke out against the Nouveau Reich and i42, I will say that this item bothers me.

I do not know the details of the case, but apparently this individual was convicted by a jury -- that is certainly not the same as USSS detaining and intimidating someone for a single unflattering remark to our head of state.

If this person was plotting, inciting, or the like, then he deserves what he got. If he was just 'bitching and moaning' as people at a bar often do, this is an overreaction.

Hopefully, the jury made the right decision, given ALL the facts in the case.

[KneelBeforeZod]

some guy on a weird news website I frequent said something like "I don't care how or who someone needs to kill Bush." Someone turned him in and one way or another they tracked him down and sent some secret service guys to talk to him

[lonestar]

I am going to read this tread with interest..when people were treated like this by King Clinton there was a huge outcry..I just bet it is fine now...sheeple people

I do believe you are confusing what "King Clinton" did personally, with what law-enforcement did in this case.

Clymer Clinton pointed his finger at a couple and told the Secret Service to take them away. He didn't like their message; which did NOT threaten him with bodily harm. Clymer Clinton couldn't stand criticism.

[cynicom]

Mulder....

Reminds me of days of olde... Say anything bad about the King and off flew your head. Now we have annointed the office of the presidency with nearly the same protection. Some of these people would sell our freedoms, one at a time, step by step until we have freedom no more. I view it this way, if you thirst or lust for power, you take what comes with it, no taking freedoms from others. No one forced Bush to grasp for power. Those that seek power over the masses are not worthy of any more protection than you or me.