gsmith@garnet.berkeley.edu (Gene W. Smith) (10/11/88)
In article <1501@cbnews.ATT.COM>, wbt@cbnews (William B. Thacker) writes: >In article <15229@agate.BERKELEY.EDU> gsmith@garnet.berkeley.edu (Gene W. Smith) writes: >>In article <5532@ecsvax.uncecs.edu>, skyler@ecsvax (Patricia Roberts) writes: >>>And it's worth while to keep in mind that freedom of speech for political >>>speech is not an absolute right. >> We might recall in this connection the public apology for a >>"let's assassinate X if the election turns out in such and such a >>way" posting. I think this is political speech, and protected by >>the first amendment. Evidently, the Secret Service held another >>view. Clayton Cramer may wish to ponder the significance of this >>for the net. >Suggesting "let's assassinate X" isn't political speech, it's criminal. >It can be considered conspiracy (with other Usenetters), as well as an >attempt to overthrow the government by force. Probably a couple of >other crimes, as well. It could be considered criminal only if it was a serious suggestion. But it would be a serious suggestion only if the poster were insane, since this is a very public forum. Moreover the "conspiracy" suggestion is preposterous, more insane than the Chicago seven by far. Of course a crypto-fascist of your ilk might not think this. It is self-evident that this was really political speech and Constitutionally protected. That the Secret Service got involved doesn't show it is a crime, but that we have certain police state elements in this country. People like Mr. Thacker, who are willing to sell their birthright, or rather are eager to give their freedoms away and mine as well, are the real criminals here. Not that it is literally a crime, but rather it is treason against the spirit of this country. Why not move to a totalitarian state if you like that sort of thing? FOR SHAME MR. THACKER!!! -- ucbvax!garnet!gsmith Gene Ward Smith/Brahms Gang/Berkeley CA 94720 Fifty flippant frogs / Walked by on flippered feet And with their slime they made the time / Unnaturally fleet.
dh2o+@andrew.cmu.edu (David M. Hungerford, III) (10/11/88)
Actually, it IS a Federal crime to threaten the life of the President.
Considering the long history in this country of assassinating Presidents, this
is altogether reasonable and not an example of police-state elements in this
country.
M.
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