Posted on 01/27/2012 3:50:41 AM PST by tobyhill
A photograph showing a group of men with guns posing with a bullet-ridden image of Barack Obama's face is to be investigated by the Secret Service, a spokesman confirmed to NBC News.
The New York Times reported that the picture showed seven young men, four with weapons, one of whom was holding a T-shirt with the president's face on it, above the word "HOPE." The T-shirt was covered in holes and gashes.
The Times said the photograph was posted on the Facebook page of a Peoria, Ariz. police officer, Sgt. Pat Shearer, on Jan. 20.
"We are aware of it. Anytime information is brought to our attention that a group or individual expresses an unusual interest in one of our protectees, we conduct the appropriate follow-up," Secret Service spokesman Max Milien told NBC News.
"We respect the right of free speech and expression but we certainly have the right and obligation to speak to individuals to determine what their intent is," he added. "We treat anything (any potential threat) seriously. We can't dismiss anything."
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
I am sure that soon, trash talking of our Outstanding Leader will be a punishable offense. We would have an indirect sedition law. I am sure that it will be made an offense to trash talk other thugs like Chavez for example.
I wonder if we can get in trouble if we take certain foreign leaders and make them targets. Iran’s dictator, Venezuela’s one as well and cannot forget, members of the Moozlem Brotherhood out of Egypt.
The secret service takes its job seriously and we need to be grateful for that.
I am totally opposed to shooting images of the President of the United States or any elected official — period. It's protected free speech only in the sense that the Nazi march in Skokie was protected by the Supreme Court. Stuff like that is legal, but ought to be attacked by all sides of the political spectrum.
This can and should be investigated. As was said by conservative Israelis after the assassination of the Israeli prime minister, in a democracy we change our leaders by the ballot box, not bullets. But if there's no real threat, it's stupid speech, not a crime. In case there's anybody reading this who disagrees, think for a moment what a real attempt on President Obama's life would mean. If the shooter doesn't kill him, he's virtually ensured Obama's re-election. If the shooter succeeds, President Joe Biden will be nearly certain to win the 2012 election.
I want Obama out of office and his policies not only defeated but also discredited, not to have some nut case turn him into a martyr.
I disagree completely. Unless there’s a viable threat then it’s probably harmless fun. I shoot at life size silhouettes often on my property and who I think I’m shooting at is my business. People need to lighten up and stop the constant BS.
I’m sure the SS takes it’s job seriosuly and no one wants to see Obama be made a martyr although with his and his supporters narcasistic attitudes, if he loses in 2012 they’ll see him as a martyr of some sort anyway.
I’m sure it will be investigated and I’m sure in the end it’ll be a bunch of guys having fun.
I guess that is the root of the issue for me. You will say they were stupid to post it as it brings the wrath of the SS, then they have succeeded in silencing and intimidation.
George W Bush burns in effigy (Washington DC)
Bush Burned in Effigy at @ the Taste
Death Threats Against Bush at Protests Ignored for Years
We either have freedom of speech ....or we don't. We either fall to their intimidation(for our own safety) or we stand up to their intimidation.
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