Could this message I sent in rage to a federal politician send me to jail for uttering threats?

[NewsCenter28]

So, I was enraged at the post shared by a federal politician rwnj that I found this evening. I found the FB page of the politician directly. I don’t know why I decided to engage him but I sent him the following message:

Just wanted to tell you that you are a disgrace to All of us, a partisan hack, a prolific liar, and that you will never ascend to any sort of great post of authority nationally. Turn to Jesus and seek forgiveness for your hate mongering, fear mongering, and mistruths!


Just making sure that even if he wanted to, he couldn’t have me charged for harassment or uttering threats? I regret doing this. He’s just always struck a raw nerve with me. What do you think? Did I commit criminal harassment or uttering threats? This is our first contact ever. I admit I’m paranoid and the post doesn’t seem remotely threatening to me, but one can never be too careful! So I wanted to check.

[applegrove]

1. I understand your anger. I hear you. If you have to ask if you will be charged

with harassment don't do it. Share your feelings here.

[UniteFightBack]

2. Well if that's the case you better make room for me. nt

[Glamrock]

3. Nah man, yer good.

There's not even a hint of a threatbof violence. What you said is constitutionally protected. Nothing to sweat there. And, might I add, I salute you.

[NewsCenter28]

4. Thanks a lot!

I’ve seen him on national TV before and I thought he was a slime bucket but his post sent me over the edge that I couldn’t resist telling him directly what I thought at the time.

[Glamrock]

6. Be proud man!

You made your voice heard. That's what this country's about. Shit, I'm proud of ya even if you ain't. I raise my glass.

[California_Republic]

5. +1. There's nothing there to concern you

[A HERETIC I AM]

7. "Turn to Jesus"?

So...you're basically giving him an out?


"you are a disgrace to All of us, a partisan hack, a prolific liar, and that you will never ascend to any sort of great post of authority nationally."

But if you say some magic words, all will be forgiven.


Perfect.

No, you didn't threaten him. If anything, you'll be getting fundraising requests.

[regnaD kciN]

8. You didn't threaten him with physical harm...

...or express a wish that someone else would, so you’re in no danger.

[herding cats]

9. Nope, that's all fine.

No threats of physical harm real or implied. You're all good!

Now, I have to address how sad it is you thought you might not be. We have voices, it's our right to use them. Especially with our kelected leaders. That's America in all its glory. I've said some things both in person and on the phone to my congressman which are much more heated than this exchange. I'm still here, and I can guarantee you I wouldn't be if they could have stifled my voice by law. I made the man stammer and sputter in a public venue once. He's recognized my face since then and his staff knows my name, but I'm still, by law, allowed to attend his events and annoy him until my hearts content.

[Freddie]

10. Is Toomey your senator too?

I admit to putting the odd insult in his FB comments. Nah, I’ve seen worse.

[tblue37]

11. No, there were no threats. Citizens can engage office holders. nt

[muriel_volestrangler]

12. I Am Not A Lawyer (let alone an American one), but it doesn't seem a threat at all

And if you've only sent such a message to him once, it couldn't be harassment either. If he's not your representative (or running to be), there might be an argument that constantly sending such messages would be 'harassment'. But I think the bar for that would be pretty high, since he's the public figure, even if not directly in your political control (if he's 'federal', ie in the US Congress, then his votes there affect you so you have more justification for contacting him repeatedly).

[MineralMan]

13. Nope. There were no physical threats in it.

You might regret losing your temper, but there's nothing illegal in what you said, so you'll not be sent to jail.

[lillypaddle]

14. They should throw you in jail

for bringing Jesus into it.

[Patterson]

15. Harassment probably wouldn't apply unless you sent several replies.