Secret Service has closed investigation into the Facebook poll - no charges

[Jackeens]

Secret Service: Poll no threat

By POLITICO STAFF | 10/01/09 10:15 AM

The U.S. Secret Service has closed an investigation into a Facebook poll that appeared to threaten the life of the president, AP reports.

According to the wire service, a juvenile posted the survey.

AP: "No criminal charges will be filed against the juvenile or the juvenile's parents, spokesman Edwin Donovan said. Donovan would not identify the names of the child or parents or say where they are from.

"The poll, posted Saturday on Facebook, was taken off the popular social networking site quickly after company officials were alerted to its existence. But, like any threat against the president, Secret Service agents took no chances. … After Secret Service agents met with the child and the child's parents, they determined there was no intent to harm the president.

"'Case closed,' Donovan said. 'I guess you could characterize it as a mistake.'"

http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/1009/case_closed_2eb7e0e7-f09e-4d95-8503-b93518788ce6.html

[Hepburn]

1. A "mistake"?

If the juvenile is old enough to use the computer, become a member of Facebook, find the third party application and compose a poll, IMO, that minor needs a bit more attention than merely being found. And...I would say the same if the poll had been posted about Bush.

There is something basically wrong with a child who appears to be old enough to comprenhend complex matters, but does not understand the impact of inciting violence against the POTUS. IMO, some follow up and counseling should have been had in this matter. I hope the SS keeps an eyes on this kid.

JMHO

[Jackeens]

3. All I hope Hepburn is that the visit of the Secret Service to his home so scared the shit out of him

....that he'll have some sense from here on in. But I agree, it's scary that he even thought to post that poll, I'm wondering what kind of home he lives in??

[AspenRose]

5. I hope it scared his parents, too

[Hepburn]

6. Something, IMO, is really wrong about posting anything about...

...the assassination of any POTUS as a future event. I lived through JFK, RFK, and Martin Luther King's deaths when I was a young adult. A poll on the future death of any well known figure makes my skin crawl.

I am hoping his parents got him some help...it seems he sure needs some.

[nyc 4 Biden]

4. This is bs!

A "mistake" is copying someone's homework, not inciting violence against the President.

[Hepburn]

7. Amen!

A mistake is taking the wrong workbook to a class ~~ inciting violence against the sitting POTUS is just NOT in the same category!'

:hi:

[goclark]

20. Thank you ~

[Jennicut]

2. So it was a dumb kid? He/she needs a real talking to.

[Cha]

8. Oh,that's an incentive to all would be

violence against the president pollers. Just make sure you're "juvenile".

Where did he learn that shit about "does the president need to be killed"? And what about the "yes" voters"? hmmmmm? They need to nip that in the bud or they are not going to be able to take care of all the vicious ignorance in America with bech, limpbaugh, faux, et al egging them on.

[rasputin1952]

9. Here's what I get from this...

The kid most likely did this as some form of "joke" ot out of ignorance. The SS checked things out, found nothing there concerning either the kid or his parents. These things occasionally happen.

Now, here's what I think happened after they left. The site that the material was copied from was contacted and a trail back to origination as well as the various other entities that downloaded/copied whatever, but especially the entity that produced it initially will be tracked down and investigated.

In light of this, the juvenile did the nation a service, especially if some hate site or nutcase gets his/her due. Sure, the kid made an error, but the pay off may save some lives.

[Cha]

10. Thanks for your

input on this, rasputin..it certainly makes me feel better.

It would be interesting to know what the parents are saying to their kid after a visit from the SS.

[Posteritatis]

14. That would certainly be a good fly-on-the-wall moment. (nt)

[rasputin1952]

16. I can't imagine what went through their heads when nthe SS

showed up at their door, these men and women seen t be chosen for their distinct lack of a sense of humor...:D

In any case, I kind of feel sorry for the kid, his life can't be anything much more than mud after that...;)

[Fire1]

18. Not much, is my guess. n/t

[Posteritatis]

13. Your sane, reasoned stance is wildly inappropriate! Jerk those knees instead!

;)

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. Oh goodie! Now someone else can put up a new hateful poll!

[kestrel91316]

12. My guess is that the parents turned out to be Obama supporters, lol

and went completely batshit ballistic on the kid when they found out. Kid probably got the idea from yapping with stupid freeper friends.

I would love to have been a fly on the wall when the SS came knocking.

[bigdarryl]

15. How many mistakes are we going to have when threatening the POTUS

this shit is out of control. There seems to be a DOUBLE STANDARD when it's Obama I don't know about you but I think the Secret Service is to lax when it comes to him

[Thrill]

17. There should be some punishment

.

[windbreeze]

19. That's a mistake I wouldn't want my kid making...

especially considering the parents can be held responsible for his actions on their internet connection...makes me wonder how the parents talk about the president in front of this kid??....since kids are pretty internet savvy at a young age....I'd suggest the parents watch what they say in front of him, and explain some things to the "juvenile", before he/they have some real problems...wb