Posted on 06/08/2015 5:26:46 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows
The United States Department of Justice is using federal grand jury subpoenas to identify anonymous commenters engaged in typical internet bluster and hyperbole in connection with the Silk Road prosecution. DOJ is targeting Reason.com, a leading libertarian website whose clever writing is eclipsed only by the blowhard stupidity of its commenting peanut gallery.
Why is the government using its vast power to identify these obnoxious asshats, and not the other tens of thousands who plague the internet?
Because these twerps mouthed off about a judge.
Last week, a source provided me with a federal grand jury subpoena. The subpoena1, issued by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, is directed to Reason.com in Washington, D.C.. The subpoena commands Reason to provide the grand jury "any and all identifying information"2 Reason has about participants in what the subpoena calls a "chat."
(Excerpt) Read more at popehat.com ...
Yes, it's a long article and the author is a flaming lib, but this is a gross abuse of government power. "Punishment by process" comes to mind. Strongly suggest at least skimming the whole thing.
Ping!
So, does Reason have any such information?
It is always better to be able to say, we’d like to help, but sorry, we don’t know.
I agree. Sounds like a good reason for NOT keeping identifying info on commenters.
One of my reasons for posting this article was that if it could happen to Reason, it could happen to FR.
Most Reason.com commenters have their hearts in the right place but occasionally let their ‘no law is best law’ puritanism take them swiftly into abstract meandering arguments. They aren’t stupid ie unintelligent but they do lapse into dorm room oneupmanship too often.
In a heart beat.
Question is, would those who keep our identities confidential go to jail, on principle?
not that there are any obnoxious asshats on FR...
Well, on a positive note, since the Supreme court ruling last week in “Elonis v. US” all they have to say is their comments were just “streams of thought” or they were just trying to write a rap song...
The list, Ping
Let me know if you would like to be on or off the ping list
Bump.
Bluster and hyperbole is what I do best!
Just ask. I’ll gladly let you know who I am and right where you can be found when I see you.
This is why it’s a good idea to use TOR when doing anything interesting on the net.
https://www.torproject.org/projects/torbrowser.html.en
Yes, it’s a long article and the author is a flaming lib, but this is a gross abuse of government power.
...
Have you seen the comments in question?
Perish the thought!
Good question.
IF the DOJ gets away with this it will be the tip of the iceberg for the future silencing of dissent.
Yes. The author addressed their content.
Yep.
I'm glad he is mocking the government - the government is mockworthy, and being a bully. Those are, I think, the only two things the government does well. screw-up, and bully people (to the point of ruin, if it can.)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.