Can we really say what we want about the President?

[Buxtehude]

I found this to be a very thought provoking article.

Writing in Harper's magazine this month, Ben Metcalf explored the dangers of saying or writing anything "bad" about the president:

Because I am loath to violate whatever fresh new mores the people have agreed upon, or have been told they agree upon, and because I do not care to have my ass kicked repeatedly in a holding cell while I beg to see a lawyer, I almost hesitate to ask the following question. I will ask it, though, out of what used to be called simple human decency:

Am I allowed to write that I would like to hunt down George W. Bush, the president of the United States, and kill him with my bare hands?

Metcalf made clear that he didn't actually desire to personally kill George W. Bush with his bare hands, because Bush was a fellow human being -- "at least in the technical sense."

http://www.sploid.com/news/2006/06/do_you_want_to.php

[tridim]

1. I don't know, but your post probably set off lots of big brother alarms

at fascist HQ.

[Buxtehude]

2. That crossed my mind

I'll blame "Sploid". I really couldn't believe what I was reading, then I got to thinking about it. It's a strange world we are living in.

[FloridaPat]

3. It's illegal nowadays and people have actually been put in jail

for saying that. Any hint of wanting to hurt or idiot in chief gets a visit from the FBI. These clowns are the biggest cowards I have ever seen in a public office, and their are hailed for their bravery in invading a defenseless country.

[Buxtehude]

4. It's mind boggling.

To think that people wil still defend them. Although the office has rather quiet of late. :)

[izzie]

5. Well in history they have said some bad things.

I think it is getting hard to not get in trouble for it now. Bush seems to be in fear of people near him who do not say yes to every thing he wants. This guy is in a real bubble. Even Clinton talked to real people.

[The_Casual_Observer]

6. It's only OK to threaten to kill Democrats.

Otherwise it's some kind of half ass federal offense.

[evlbstrd]

7. It is a crime to threaten the president.

It has been for a long time. But it's still legal to criticize.

[bdamomma]

13. but apparently the bush crime family would like to change that too

Bush's number one rule: NO DISSENT is allowed to the King.

[evlbstrd]

14. I have no doubt about that.

They still have the time to declare martial law over some trumped up event.

[Buxtehude]

8. When you think of it

This is troubling. why should we be afraid to speak up. If they have a good answer then there's no problem.

Experts say it's best to just keep your mouth shut, considering the way things are going in the country. Washington is not exactly run by thoughtful men who wile away their hours discussing the literary intricacies of contextual theory. In fact, Washington is run by dangerous thugs who delight in torturing, murdering and otherwise doing away with as many "enemies" as they can, whether foreign innocents, retarded "terrorists" or the poor black population of an American city.

[Doctor_J]

9. In a 1st amendment zone, maybe

[lonestarnot]

10. fascism at it's finest.

Stalin would be proud of bushitler's accomplishments.

[Buxtehude]

12. Thats for sure!

and the amazing thing is people actually voted for him, twice!?

[Buxtehude]

11. Of course

it's obsurd to suggest that it's all right for anyone to openly plot to kill the President, but where do we draw the line?
Just because someone says they'd kill him for this or that, should we pay any credence to such statements?

[AndyTiedye]

15. I Only Wish the Best for Our President

Like a nice European vacation
in the Hague





Or a nice hunting trip with Uncle Dick

with plenty of :beer::beer::beer:
Come on tiger, it's just a piece of cheap clothesline! You can do it! BE FREE!
See! They can't hit a moving target, especially when they're all hammered.
Oh! Look! They're shooting each other!
Guns Empty? Good! DINNER TIME!

[pinto]

16. Locking. Please see this:

"Do not post messages that could be construed as advocating harm or death to the president or other high-ranking official in the United States government. In the case of the president, do not even post jokes, as the Secret Service is not known for its sense of humor."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/forums/rules_detailed.html

Thanks.