Obama’s Ice Age: The Chilling of Speech

I got wind of a story yesterday during  a local (Las Vegas, NV) AM radio show that may be the inspiration of an Orwellian sequal called 1985…or 1984 part II. 

Apparently, some comments on the Las VegasReview-Journal’s blog site have ruffled some feathers at the US Attorney’s Office.  None of the comments were criminal, libelous, nor did they seem to incite a clear and present danger to anyone.  The comments were normal for any online blog or website.  However, according to the Review-Journal, a Federal subpoena mandated the presentation of the:

full name, date of birth, physical address, gender, ZIP code, password prompts, security questions, telephone numbers and other identifiers … the IP address,” of all commenters on a certain post.

The Review Journal has decided to fight the subpoena “tooth and nail”.  For starters, the majority of the commenting public use pseudonyms, fake e-mail addresses, and the RJ does not require registration to comment; i.e., physical addresses, names, phone numbers (etc.).  It is impossible to find this information.  Further, these subpoenas will have a chilling effect on public discourse, and are in direct violation of the Supreme Court and the US Constitution’s views on the Freedom of Speech and the internet. 

Unlike child pornography and terorrist websites, the government does not have a compelling governmental interest in what I comment on the Las Vegas Review Journal or what websites I have visited.  This is in direct violation of everything the First Amendment stands for; public discourse.  I hope the Review Journal stands up for my liberties and rights as an American Citizen.  I enjoy participating in local politics and I have commented many times on such websites.  If these subpoenas are allowed, a horrible precedent would be set for future Federal Magistrates regarding subpoenas and warrants.  People will stop commenting and participating.  I agree that many of the posts are ignorant and have little to say, but the First Amendment is very clear…

Congress shall make NO law respecting . . . or abridging the freedom of speech.

No sign of the ACLU just yet. 

-reagan21

Muslim Extremist Kills Military Recruiter vs. Abortion Doctor Killed/UPDATE 1

Before I begin I want to start by saying that I am pro-life, but I do not condone assaulting, battering, or killing doctors who perform abortions.  However, that being said, homeland security should be this country’s most important objective.  Some may disagree, and say that the economy should be target number one, but growing an economy will be moot if terrorists are allowed to attack our financial system or miltary strength. 

For those of you who did not know, a military recruiter was killed the other day by a known Muslim terror suspect. This made little ripples in the media pond, however, because of the murder of George Tiller, a known abortion doctor.  Where are this country’s priorities?  The recruiter, William Long, is nowhere to be found in any headlines.  Instead, we are hit over the head with the garbage that pro-life groups are somehow responsible for Tiller’s death.  William Long’s death is an act of terrorism right here on American soil. Not too long a go, a plot to blow up a Synagogue was duped by authorities and the terror subspect’s stupidity.  Yet the media seems to brush off such stories with the back of their snobish hands.  We have begun to fall asleep at the wheel.

During the 1990’s there were many acts of terrorism on U.S. soil.  We did not take notice, nor did we react.  There was World Trade I, USS Cole, and the multiple Embassy Bombings.  What did we do? Nothing.  We were blind to the real threats to this country’s security.  We concentrated on other issues that drew away our attention.  Baseball strikes, OJ Simpson, steroids, “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”, the Tech Boom, or even the death of Princess Diana pulled our attention away from what is important.  The lives of the citizens of this country.

We are headed down the same path that he walked down just a short couple of years ago.  Why can’t we learn from history? Why can’t the majority of media members see through their personal beliefs and take notice that a Military recruiter who is killed at work has far more of an impact on our safety then the murder of a Doctor?   We cannot let this happen.  We have the interworkings of the interweb at our fingertips.  Let us memorilize the name of William Long and not let the media skew our views of what is important to this country.  Don’t be like the media.  They can’t even push aside their disdain for the pro-life movement for one second to report on the life of a fallen hero and the act of a cowardly terrorist.  Nor can the media report on the many attacks on Army recruitment as an attack on this country’s security.  Let it be known from the mountain tops.  William Long is and will always be a true patriot.

What was Obama’s reaction to this attack?  Silence.

Laura Ingram had am imsight into Obama’s silence.  Obama will be going to the Middle East…as we speak.  The last thing he wants to do is upset the Muslim world when this trip is meant to “chill” anti-American setiment and improve our international perception.  What a wuss.

-reagan21