Be careful what you write here...

[ArmedBear]

What constitutes bodily harm?

Not that I would write something like that, nor do I think anyone else should, but what, exactly, is bodily harm?

Circumcision, for example, is done in medical and religious contexts. Is suggesting that "Chancellor Zarnak really ought to be circumcised!" a threat, a religious exhortation, or a medical suggestion?

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[solareclipse]

You can't make bodily threats, everything else, is fair game. Stop trying to police the internet.

 

[Omni04]

watch out ArmedBear, the knocking at your door ain't the pizza guy!

 

[jsalcedo]

When I was in college a student kept asking about free speech using the
harming a public figure as an example.

The professor was a civil rights lawyer and he kept telling the kid to shut his mouth and stop repeating words that could land him in the slammer.

The kid got outraged that 4 words could get him a visit from the Secret Service and possible more.

So he kept saying it and mouthing off until finally the liberal professor kicked him out of the class for being an obtuse moron.

Even though I don't have any nefarious plans I try to limit what I say when posting on public forums.

 

[Biker]

Call me paranoid, but whenever on a phone or the www, I conduct myself as if someone from the govt. is monitering my words. Just a sad, simple fact today.
Biker

 

[Mr. James]

I used to pal around with a young woman at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. Sometime during Ronald Reagan's first term, her roommate was yanked out of class for a little chat with the Secret Service. Seems she'd written to the president and said she was so angry at him over his foreign policies, she wanted to go to Washington and shoot him.

They grilled her, gave her a stern lecture and sent her on her way; apparently, they concluded she was just venting and had no intention of following through. Idiot kid.

 

[justashooter]

a credible threat to ANYONE is a criminal offense, being defined as "intent". the pres should get the special treatment he does. our nation's stability depends on his safety.

 

[Farnham]

Call me paranoid, but whenever on a phone or the www, I conduct myself as if someone from the govt. is monitering my words.

Excellent advice.

S/F

Farnham

PS: I read your email.

PPS: Biker, not reading your particular email (maybe ) but I've got a T-shirt that says that on the back, and it's got the No Such Agency logo on the front.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

While the Secret Service may followup some threats with actual interaction with the parties making the threats, they don't speak to all of them, especially when preliminary information indicates the "threat" is actual, such as in a scenario.

It is pretty much impossible for them to deal with every such case just like it has been impossible to sleuth and verify every sort of terroristic threat learned about by the government.

Marshall3, how do you know the guy was contacted by the Secret Service because of his letter? Was the reported visis by the guy that penned the bad letter? What proof did he offer? Lot's of people claim to be victimized by the government for their opinions or knowledge, but they acts against them are rarely witnessed by others.