We Honored National Day of Blogger Silence — Friday 06.08.12

Chris Muir at Day by Day Cartoon

By: Terresa Monroe-Hamilton - NoisyRoom

In Observance of the National Day of Blogger Silence — This Friday, the Knowledge Creates Power went dark and silent (ending ended at 12:01a.m. ET on 06.09.12). No posting, no Facebook, no Twitter… We stand in solidarity with a long list of concerned bloggers in protest of the violation of our Constitutional rights…

Silencing the Clarions

Read more:

• Michelle Malkin: Contempt: Free speech-trampling judge in Kimberlin case exposed; help Aaron Walker fight back
• TWITCHY
• PATTERICO’S PONTIFICATIONS
• THE OTHER McCAIN
• THE LONELY CONSERVATIVE

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Chambliss Demands Inquiry Into Attacks Against Conservative Commentators

Sends letter to Attorney General Eric Holder about recent “SWAT-ting” incidents

Chambliss Demands Inquiry Into Attacks Against Conservative Commentators

Sends letter to Attorney General Eric Holder about recent “SWAT-ting” incidents

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder regarding recent reports that several conservative political commentators have been targeted with harassing and frightening actions. Chambliss demanded that Holder examine these cases to determine if federal laws have been violated.

These dangerous hoaxes, also known as “SWAT-ting,” occur when a perpetrator contacts local police to report a violent incident at a target’s home. These callers are believed to utilize voice-over IP (VOIP) and other less-traditional telecommunications methods to make the call appear to come from the target residence and to hide the caller’s true identity.

In response, a dispatcher sends a SWAT team or other police unit in a heightened state of readiness to the unsuspecting target’s residence. Targets only learn of these false reports when a large police presence descends upon their homes.

In the letter, Chambliss states that “Any potentially criminal action that incites fear, seeks to silence a dissenting opinion, and collaterally wastes the resources of law enforcement should be given close scrutiny at all levels… Regardless of any potential political differences that may exist, threats and intimidation have no place in our national political discourse. Those who choose to enter into that political discourse should not have to worry about potential threats to their or their family’s safety.”

A copy of the signed letter is attached, and the full text of the letter is below:

June 5, 2012

The Honorable Eric Holder

Attorney General

Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue. NW, Suite 5111

Washington, DC 20530-0009

Dear Attorney General Holder:

I am writing with concern regarding recent reports that several members of the community of online political commentators have been targeted with harassing and frightening actions. Any potentially criminal action that incites fear, seeks to silence a dissenting opinion, and collaterally wastes the resources of law enforcement should be given close scrutiny at all levels.

According to these individuals’ reports, these dangerous hoaxes, also known as “SWAT-ting,” have a perpetrator contacting a local police department to report some type of violent incident at the home of the target. It is believed that these callers utilize some of the less traditional telecommunications methods, including voice over IP (VOIP) to make the call appear as though it is coming from the target residence and to better hide the true identity of the caller.

In response, a dispatcher then sends a large number of understandably anxious police units, in a heightened state of readiness, to the home of the still unsuspecting target. The first that the target or their unsuspecting family learns of this false report to law enforcement is when they are shocked to see an abnormal police presence descending on their residence.

The use of SWAT-ting as a harassment tool is apparently not new, but its use as a tool for targeting political speech appears to be a more recent development. During the last year, some of the more widely reported cases of SWAT-ting have taken place against blog operators across the country, including in Georgia. The emerging pattern is both disturbing and dangerous.

While these incidences are currently small in number, and have fortunately not led to any accidental physical harm, they are extremely concerning. The perpetrators appear to be targeting individuals who are vigorously exercising their First Amendment rights to political speech. As you know, these reported efforts to intimidate those who choose to enter the political forum and express their opinions are in conflict with the founding principles of our nation.

Regardless of any potential political differences that may exist, threats and intimidation have no place in our national political discourse. Those who choose to enter into that political discourse should not have to worry about potential threats to their or their family’s safety.

While I am certain that local law enforcement is reviewing each of these instances, I am asking you to please look into each of these cases as well to determine if any federal laws may have been violated. Future targets of SWAT-ting, whether engaged in political speech or not, may not be so fortunate as to escape physical harm.

I appreciate your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your response no later than June 29, 2012. Please feel free to contact my office with any questions or comments that you may have.

Related:

ACLJ steps up to defend bloggers targeted over Brett Kimberlin coverage

Technorati Tags: Michelle Malkin,SWATing,ACLJ,DOJ,Brett Kimberlin,Freedom of Speech,Freedom of the Press,domestic terrorists,Aaron Walker,standing together,stand-up America,freedom,blogosphere,bloggers,Jay Sekulow,knowledge is power,politics

ACLJ steps up to defend bloggers targeted over Brett Kimberlin coverage

By Michelle Malkin • June 7, 2012 12:18 PM

I’ve been telling you about First Amendment lawyers working behind the scenes to help the targets of Brett Kimberlin and his online cabal.

Kudos to the ACLJ for stepping up to the plate in the face of ongoing threats and smears. Just released:

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2012

ACLJ DEFENDS FREE SPEECH IN BLOGOSPHERE – REPRESENTING TOP CONSERVATIVE BLOGGERS TARGETED FOR HARASSMENT

(Washington, DC) – The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which focuses on constitutional law, announced today it is providing legal representation to a top conservative blogger and his organization that represents hundreds of bloggers who are facing threats and intimidation tactics by those opposed to their viewpoint.

“Free speech is under attack,” said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ. “Conservative writers are now facing threats against themselves, their families, and their livelihoods merely because they’ve aggressively investigated the history and funding of radical liberals. The ACLJ has a long history of successfully defending free speech, and we look forward to defeating this latest attempt to threaten and intimidate conservatives into silence.”

The issue involves targeting a number of conservative bloggers with a dangerous and illegal tactic that’s become known as SWAT-ing (making false 911 calls sending police to the homes of bloggers, claiming a crime has occurred.) The tactic is used in retaliation for posts the conservative bloggers have written.

The ACLJ is representing Ali Akbar, a top blogger and president of the National Bloggers Club, a coalition of 300 conservative bloggers who reach millions of readers. Akbar has seen his mother’s home photographed and placed on the internet. He has also received formal notification that he may soon be sued for publishing truthful information about radical liberals and their wealthy donors.

“I’m grateful for the support of the ACLJ, and I’m confident we’ll defeat any and all legal challenges to our fundamental right to free speech,” said Akbar. “We will not be deterred in our quest for the truth.”

The ACLJ will aggressively defend the constitutionally-protected free speech rights of Akbar and his organizations.

The ACLJ’s representation of Akbar comes as Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) is calling on Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate the SWAT-ting cases to see if federal laws have been violated. In a letter to the Attorney General, Sen. Chambliss wrote: “Any potentially criminal action that incites fear, seeks to silence a dissenting opinion, and collaterally wastes the resources of law enforcement should be given close scrutiny at all levels. . . Regardless of any potential political differences that may exist, threats and intimidation have no place in our national political discourse.”

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice is based in Washington, D.C. and online at www.aclj.org.

Jay’s blog post is here.

Don’t forget: Donate here to support Kimberlin targets.

***

While House Republicans have not raised the issue in their hearing with AG Eric Holder this morning, look for exposure of this issue next week in the Senate as bloggers step up their pressure on Capitol Hill.

***

Previous:

GOP Sen. Saxby Chambliss to DOJ: What are you doing about SWATtings?

Won’t back down: Amidst threats, National Bloggers Club announces Aaron Walker appeal; blogs to crank up pressure on Congress

Free speech blogburst: Show solidarity for targeted conservative bloggers; Update: It’s Everybody Blog About Brett Kimberlin Day; Donation fund for targets

Letter from an Indiana reader about Brett Kimberlin; Update: A tribute to Carl DeLong

Who’s funding Brett Kimberlin?

A post-Brett Kimberlin blogburst to-do list; Updated

The Brett Kimberlin nightmare continues: Aaron Walker in custody

Breakthrough: Fox covers Brett Kimberlin/ Patterico SWATting, bloggers continue pressing the story

Contempt: Free speech-trampling judge in Kimberlin case exposed; help Aaron Walker fight back

*Prediction by most involved is that Holder will do squat on it. Many blogs, Twitter and FB go dark tomorrow, Friday June 8, 2012, in protest and solidarity with the other large bloggers involved in this.  We will be joining them.*

Related:

Breaking… Blogger Aaron Walker Arrested after Maryland Hearing on Kimberlin Case – Updated

Free Speech Blogburst: Showing Solidarity for Targeted Conservative Bloggers

Brett Kimberlin Saga Takes a Bizarre Turn, Forcing Me to Leave Maryland   -  Watcher’s Council Winner 05.25.12

Technorati Tags: Michelle Malkin,SWATing,ACLJ,DOJ,Brett Kimberlin,Freedom of Speech,Freedom of the Press,domestic terrorists,Aaron Walker,standing together,stand-up America,freedom,blogosphere,bloggers,Jay Sekulow,knowledge is power,politics

‘If You’re Right Wing, You’re a Hate Group’

Photo Credit: Stretchy Bill Creative Commons

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is in the business to raise money. In order to do this, they must extend the definition of what it means to be a “hate group.” It’s similar to the phrase “One person’s terrorist is another person’s freedom fighter.” It all depends on who’s defining the terms.

Each year the SPLC issues a report on hate groups in America. Each year the list gets longer. “Last week, the group released its latest intelligence report, titled ‘The Patriot Movement Explodes.’ The listing includes the Tenth Amendment Center, Oath Keepers and WND.”

The SPLC has gone from tracking the movements of violent racists, skinhead groups, and a brief resurgence of the KKK that number in the hundreds to creating hysteria over mainstream value voters. If you believe in the Tenth Amendment, you must be part of a hate group. If you say President Obama is wrong on this or that issue, then you must be responding out of racial hatred. Am I exaggerating? You be the judge from this report by Jack Minor at WND:

Mark Potek, senior fellow with the SPLC and editor of the report, said the growth of what is described as the radical right was fueled by “economic dislocation, a proliferation of demonizing conspiracy theories, the changing racial makeup of America, and the prospect of four more years under a black president who many on the far right view as an enemy to their country.”

With its new definition of what constitutes a hate group, the SPLC has become a fund-raising machine. It’s no wonder that the SPLC is flush with cash.[1] Ultimately, the tactic is to strike fear in middle-America so the checks keep rolling in. Most communities don’t see skinheads or even KKKers, so the SPLC needs new visible enemies.

According to the SPLC, hate has gone mainstream, so you better send a donation before these “haters” come and get you, too! The SPLC is a fund raising industry designed to silence conservatives who want their country back, to hold elected officials accountable to their Constitutional oath, and to uphold certain moral values. There’s not much money in fighting real hate groups now that only a few of the real haters are still around, so the SPLC needs a bigger, more menacing group of haters — your next door neighbors who attend the church down the street! Muslim extremists who kill soldiers in the name of Allah on an army base or plan to blow up the streets of New York City to kill and maim Americans are of little concern when there are bigger fish to land.

h/t to Western Journalism  -   Read More at godfatherpolitics.com

Wrapping Up 2009 (Part 1 of 6) - Glenn Beck Named ‘Misinformer’ of the Year by Soros Affiliate SEIU and the Washington Post

Truth can stand by herself… If allowed to (paraphrased Thomas Jefferson) Full quote in segment 1.

No matter which side of the debate you are on, or whether you support Obama or not… or whether you like Glenn Beck or Chris Wallace, I ask you to take the time to watch this mini series wrap up (all week), unless you watch it live or on TiVo and then share the info. Our country stands at the edge and everyone needs to be aware and choose a side… or you will be lost in the middle without a voice. And no choice is a definite choice. It is the choice to let others decide the fate of your life for you.

Glenn Named ‘Misinformer’ of the Year – Thomas Jefferson on the Truth – Video 1

Facts, Claim and then the Truth Appears - Video 2

Mark Lloyd, the Fairness Doctrine, ‘Net Neutrality’, Venezuela - Video 3

Must Remember the Past and Layout the Facts to Move Forward including Van Jones - Video 4

Obama teaching Clowrd and Piven – Video 5 ( For anyone not familiar with their teachings: Cloward-Piven.com)

Ornaments with Communists on White House Christmas Tree – Video 6

Truth vs. Revisionism Relating Directly to Thomas Jefferson:

“This brings us to the crux of today’s revisionism, elevating Adams and diminishing Jefferson. In our history, Jefferson has been the patron political saint for those who believe in small government, decentralized power, low taxes, and individual liberty. Thomas Jefferson, in other words, is the icon of everything today’s Socialist-Marxist Left wants to destroy. They are delighted to minimize and demonize him.”

-Lowell Ponte, FrontPageMagazine.com, 7/11/2001

Three Lessons from Thomas Jefferson Courtesy of Glenn Beck

Three lessons can be learned from Thomas Jefferson: 1) Question with boldness, 2) Hold to the truth, and 3) Speak without fear. These lessons can be and should be applied to education. They need not apply just to the humanities but they lend themselves quite well to it. If we hold on to these three principles, we will be able to cut away from the bias that foments everything we are bombarded with.

The first principle is the most important. Thomas Jefferson said, "Question with boldness even the existence of God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear." Questioning is the most important thing we can do. We are constantly told what to think, how to think and what is the absolute truth. In reality these "truths" are colored by a person's education and upbringing.

You would be right to question what I write, as that is the point of questioning with boldness. You must question everything you do not believe to be true but equally if not more importantly is to question what you do believe to true. Why do you believe what you believe? If you cannot answer that you need to do some serious soul searching. Knowing why you believe something makes your argument stronger.

The second principle is to hold to the truth. Once you have found the answers to your questions; it is time to speak to the truth as you understand it. You must always speak the truth. A lie, no mater how large or infinitesimal, will come back to haunt you. Honesty is the best policy and one that you should seek to employ in your daily life. It is of the upmost importance to be truthful and honorable. For if we are to be free it is our moral duty to be honest and hold to the truth.

The third and final principle: speak without fear is paramount in a free society. You must be able speak your mind without fear of repercussions. You must be able to speak out against injustices or things you disagree with. To speak without fear is to know you are right. You cannot ever be afraid to speak out against those in power because a free society demands mistrust of those who hold power and make decisions that affect all of us.

If we are to be truly free we must break the shackles that have bound us. We must educate ourselves and not rely on anyone but ourselves. We must not allow others to make decisions for us that would be better made by us. We must question with boldness. We must hold to the truth. We must speak without fear. Only then can we be truly free and fulfill an idea that permeates through American culture: that all men are created equal.