Say what you want on your blog, just don’t encourage your readers to do bad things. That’s the message sent today when a political blogger was charged and arrested for encouraging his blog’s visitors to “to take up arms” against two Connecticut politicos.
The right-wing blogger, Harold “Hal” Turner, turned himself in to Capitol police earlier today.
His court date is set for Monday, June 22 and at stake is an interpretation of First-Amendment rights that could have huge implications for bloggers.
The controversial Turner is no stranger to drama. What else would you expect from a guy who supports anti-Semitism and has had several previous run-ins with the law.
A previous posting from Turner:
“We may have to ASSASSINATE some of the people you elect on Nov. 7! This could be your LAST ELECTION CHANCE, to save this Republic… Sorry to have to be so blunt, but the country is in mortal danger from our present government and our liberty is already near dead because of this government. If you are too stupid to turn things around with your vote, there are people out here like me who are willing to turn things around with guns, force and violence. We hope our method does not become necessary.”
Inciting others to violence is a felony in America. It will be interesting to see what the courts decide. We’ll keep you posted.
Author: Andrew G.R.
Andrew G.R. is the owner of Jobacle, a career advice and employment news blog and podcast designed to make work better. Follow him on Twitter.
I don’t think 1st amendment rights are at stake when what he wrote was clearly inciting violence; it’s hard to interpret any other way. I believe there are restrictions on the 1st amendment where fighting words or words that will incite violence are concerned.
That is a little extreme, no wonder he got busted.
Is inciting violence a felony, or violence against one particular person? Go check out the blog “roissy in dc”
The guy advocates beating the shit out of women. Should he be turned in to the police? I personally think he’s crazy, but I don’t know if the charges of incitement to violence would stand up in court.
Hmm…the FBI questioned Turner in 2005 when a judge he said deserved to die was in fact murdered. No charges were filed. Remember, the Supreme Court has said that putting pictures of abortion doctors on mock “Wanted Dead or Alive” posters is free speech. He’s probably going to spend a lot of $$ on lawyers, but I’d be surprised if he’s ever convicted for the statements outlined in this Boston Herald story on the particulars of this case:
On June 2, Turner wrote on his blog, turnerradionetwork.blogspot.com, that Catholics should “take up arms and put down this tyranny by force,” and promised to post the lawmakers’ home addresses.
“It is our intent to forment direct action against these individuals personally,” Turner wrote. “These beastly government officials should be made an example of as a warning to others in government: Obey the Constitution or die.”
Writing about police or prosecutors who may try to stop his cause, Turner wrote, “I suspect we have enough bullets to put them down too.”
My bad …”“It is our intent to forment direct action against these individuals personally” will probably screw him in combo with the other statements.
That is quite strong decision against a blogger. Normally people say blogs are the way for free speech on internet but somepeople misuse them. Is it right or wrong?
Catholics should “take up arms and put down this tyranny by force macera