Hillarysworld

Jen the Michigander · SuperModerator

FBI warns letters to governors could stir up violence (AP 4/2/10)

freespirit · Moderator

Jen, I've seen quite a bit of coverage on the Huntaree Militia. Sounds like even his family recognized that he was unstable - and that he was more interested in fire power and fighting than actually promoting a cause of some kind. Unstable, trigger- happy people, who have access to huge stores of guns and ammunition are dangerous - and they attract other unstable, trigger-happy people. I can see how the FBI would be concerned.

Sanders · Diamond

There is reason for concern when there is so much animosity being meted towards specific individuals.

To my chagrin, tea partiers angry at health care reform targeted their anger at people like Barney Frank who had nothing to do with it. It made me wonder what exactly they meant by "take back the country." From what" Gays and Lesbians? From foreigners? From women who want to vote that the founders did not plan for? From blacks who did not have any rights when the founders founded the country?

Yes, there is a lot that has transpired since the country was founded. Each generation has seen an evolution. Fortunately, we are in a self-correcting system with its own checks and balances. Our ballot is our tool.

FBI needs to be vigilant on all activities after home grown terror has been seen in the past few months. The 'gentleman' who flew into IRS building was no less an evil person than the one who shot at his fellow soldiers in Texas. Both were direct perpetrators of terror. Then, there are indirect perpetrators who cause angst in others.

There is no need for displaying cross-hair on anyone's hometown. Inciting anger however subtle is unbecoming and downright wrong for anyone let alone people who may be aspiring to higher office.

Yes, I hope FBI is on the ball. There are some very angry militia out there. It does no take them much to get themselves to be trigger-happy.

In the age post 9/11, our freedoms are well tested continuously. Some of our freedoms are already standing on their head. We are now in databases based on our names and ethnicity and we now get scanned at airports, and there are weights on those probabilities that check us based on who we once were - all because some of us did the wrong thing by the country they supposedly adopted. Others of us have names that sound like the bad people and get physically checked every time we go through the airport gates.

We get our phonecalls recorded. Perhaps the entire Internet is scanned by words. Who knows, even this post may come under scrutiny. We understand this in the context that 9/11 has created.

Our freedom of speech is slightly curtailed in and around the airport.

Elsewhere, we still enjoy wide latitude on our freedom of speech.

Freedom of speech is ours to loose. We need to be careful with our voice and pen. Irresponsible voice will incite bad behavior and give the government reason to curtail our freedom more formally. I hope leaders of all communities take extra care with their words. Self-restraint is necessary. What can be said without inciting anger should be said clearly and directly.

Eminence · Platinum

The FBI acted correctly by seriously taking threats made by Guardians of the free Republics against governors across the nation.

But can someone explain to me, what does this have to with the Tea Party? I don't see how Guardians of the Free Republic = Tea Party?

Or is it that all nonconformist thought, despite varying levels of expression, are to be considered the same nowadays? That to me is itself totalitarian.