In fascist America, thought crimes are prosecutable

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

By Bev Conover
Online Journal Editor & Publisher

http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_981.shtml

<snip>

If swarthy men can be arrested for pipe dreams, what about that emaciated blond, who shall remain nameless to deprive her of more publicity, that has repeatedly called for the death of people and even went so far as to say it was a shame Timothy McVeigh didn't blow up the New York Times Building? Hmm? What about the not so good reverends, Falwell and Robertson, who have called for all sorts of madness and mayhem? Roberston even called for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. And the list goes on and on . . . What about them, huh? Are theirs approved "pipe dreams?"

Oh my, lawyers have the audacity to question the arresting of people for thought crimes.

New York defense lawyer Martin R. Stolar told the Times, "Talk without any kind of an action means nothing. You start to criminalize people who are not really criminals."

Golly gee, no kidding? We have been criminalizing people for nonsense for years. Remember when you could have your property confiscated if a passenger dropped a marijuana seed in your car? And when we weren't arresting them for that, we were arresting the cash they were carrying if law enforcement thought the amount was too much (they had to be planning to spend it on something not good, right?)...

[NVMojo]

1. it's like America went from free to stupid in 5 years ...

[EFerrari]

2. Have you read "Dark Ages America"? My son gave it to me

for Mother's Day. It talks about why this culture is vulnerable to this slide.

A whole lot of people are thinking about fascism right now, aren't they?

[Solo_in_MD]

5. Actually it started with hate crime enhancement laws

A well intended concept that legitimized prosecution for what you thought

[OneBlueSky]

3. flag burning is the epitome of thought crime . . .

Scenario 1: An American Legion (or VFW) commander burns a worn American flag because this is the approved manner of disposing of old flags. Since his motives (i.e. thoughts) are "pure," he is not committing a crime.

Scenario 2: A demostrator burns an American flag -- the very same act -- to protest the war in Iraq; it too is an old, worn flag. Since his motives (thoughts) are NOT "pure," he is subject to arrest and prosecution under various flag desecration laws.

[Name removed]

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