Posted on 08/05/2009 12:43:15 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Cornyn to Obama: Stop With the Enemies Lists
The White House call for people to inform on anyone spreading "disinformation about health insurance reform" didn't sit well with a lot of people -- Obama isn't running a political campaign anymore, he's supposed to be running the country (and in the event even those who spread video clips of the president making statements on health care reform that are now impolitic have been targeted by the White House). Texas Senator John Cornyn has written a letter to the president politely asking if he could please put an end to the creepiness:
“I am not aware of any precedent for a President asking American citizens to report their fellow citizens to the White House for pure political speech that is deemed ‘fishy’ or otherwise inimical to the White House’s political interests,” Sen. Cornyn wrote. “You should not be surprised that these actions taken by your White House staff raise the specter of a data collection program. As Congress debates health care reform and other critical policy matters, citizen engagement must not be chilled by fear of government monitoring the exercise of free speech rights.”
Read the full letter after the jump.
Dear President Obama,
I write to express my concern about a new White House program to monitor American citizens’ speech opposing your health care policies, and to seek your assurances that this program is being carried out in a manner consistent with the First Amendment and America’s tradition of free speech and public discourse.
Yesterday, in an official White House release entitled “Facts are Stubborn Things,” the White House Director of New Media, Macon Phillips, asserted that there was “a lot of disinformation out there,” and encouraged citizens to report “fishy” speech opposing your health care policies to the White House. Phillips specifically targeted private, unpublished, even casual speech, writing that “rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation.” Phillips wrote “If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.”
I am not aware of any precedent for a President asking American citizens to report their fellow citizens to the White House for pure political speech that is deemed “fishy” or otherwise inimical to the White House’s political interests.
By requesting that citizens send “fishy” emails to the White House, it is inevitable that the names, email addresses, IP addresses, and private speech of U.S. citizens will be reported to the White House. You should not be surprised that these actions taken by your White House staff raise the specter of a data collection program. As Congress debates health care reform and other critical policy matters, citizen engagement must not be chilled by fear of government monitoring the exercise of free speech rights.
I can only imagine the level of justifiable outrage had your predecessor asked Americans to forward emails critical of his policies to the White House. I suspect that you would have been leading the charge in condemning such a program—and I would have been at your side denouncing such heavy-handed government action.
So I urge you to cease this program immediately. At the very least, I request that you detail to Congress and the public the protocols that your White House is following to purge the names, email addresses, IP addresses, and identities of citizens who are reported to have engaged in “fishy” speech. And I respectfully request an answer to the following:
· How do you intend to use the names, email addresses, IP addresses, and identities of citizens who are reported to have engaged in “fishy” speech?
· How do you intend to notify citizens who have been reported for “fishy” speech?
· What action do you intend to take against citizens who have been reported for engaging in “fishy” speech?
· Do your own past statements qualify as “disinformation”? For example, is it “disinformation” to note that in 2003 you said: “I happen to be a proponent of a single-payer universal health care plan”?
I look forward to your prompt response.
Sincerely,
JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator
BTTT
Isn’t there a specific law that forbids the federal government from collecting data on citizens expressing first amendment rights unless there is a law enforcement issue involved?
I like that guy!
This administration is really starting to stink of ‘1984’.
ping
Way to Go John!!! A Texan takes a stand
What if Bush had done this?
The President wants Americans to up their insurance coverage.
Tell the president to “up yours”.
Well, it’s a very good letter, but how will we know the response? I mean, John Sullivan told us at a rally that he was going to get in Pelosi’s face and tell her we were angry about TARP...but then he went into rehab and I never heard what she said when he got in her face!
Bttt
Socialism IS an Orwellian nightmare.
LAW SUIT BUMP
Laws are for you and me, not politicians.
Former judge...
I think Hussein is fishing for those who oppose him and will send in notes of admonishment so he’ll have their info and act “accordingly” per Soros and his other handlers.
Hussein Obama’s style is that he “leverages” the power of the government to force his subjects to act like he wants them to. Don’t take my word. He said that and it’s public record.
White House Actions Might Be Unlawful
Barack Obama’s Very Own Domestic Spying Program
According to 5 U.S.C. § 552a, United States agencies, including the Executive Office of the President shall, “maintain no record describing how any individual exercises rights guaranteed by the First Amendment unless expressly authorized by statute or by the individual about whom the record is maintained or unless pertinent to and within the scope of an authorized law enforcement activity.”
Thanks.. We need to all call our representatives about this.
That’s it, thanks
Keep up the pressure!
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