MrPerson, C'mere ...

[Lil Missy]

Do what you have to do. Flame out in style.

Or not.

[Lil Missy]

1. Was it something I said?

:shrug:

[Lil Missy]

2. Interesting that you should reference "Agent Mike" after only a few weeks here.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=8542753&mesg_id=8543457

[kentauros]

3. There are still a few factlets about DU that i am clueless about

and can only vaguely surmise (especially while PUI of vicodin... :P)

Is "Agent Mike" a Freeperism?

[Jamastiene]

4. Agent Mike is the Secret Service guy that watches us here on DU.

Apparently, they (the Secret Service) were concerned because we didn't march in lockstep with Bush back during that nightmarish 8 years. So, Agent Mike is here to watch us...big brother style.

[kentauros]

5. Okay, thanks for the clarification :)

So how much "truth" is there behind this apparent fact? When did it come out and by who's admission?

I don't doubt I've been on a "watch list" ever since the Reagan days and being a volunteer with KPFT (one of the five Pacifica stations.) But that's not really the same as monitoring a site. Of course, one person can't watch all of us all the time; that would take a team and an allotment of time on the NSA computers

[Jamastiene]

7. Skinner confirmed it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2487403&mesg_id=2487403

Then, he clarified and cleared up a few misconceptions here:
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Skinner/131

Basically, those two links give you the actual facts.

...but...

this is the Lounge. You know us. :evilgrin:

We just took it and ran with it and turned it into a DU legend in a fun way. That's all really.

[kentauros]

12. Okay, thanks.

:)

And I'm surprised, what with this being the Lounge and all, why you didn't name "him" Agent Smith

[Lil Missy]

8. We may or may not be on a "watch list". I seriously doubt that.

Who fucking cares anyway? I thought bush was a fucking idiot and moron. I don't think it is illegal to say that.

Don't worry about it.

[kentauros]

10. Oh, I never worried about it.

Just a useless factlet :)

[Jamastiene]

11. Nah, it was two specific, now banned, people who caused the trouble.

I don't think their names were ever released, but he did say it was two specific people who are now banned.

[Lil Missy]

6. I agree with Jas.

"Agent Mike" is not really a freeper thing. Or maybe it is.

I thought it was a joke thing about our comments being watched. I never took it seriously. Now honestly, who would give a shit about comments on a message board?

[Jamastiene]

9. Apparently, Agent Mike cares.

The two people in question who caused the Secret Service to come watch us were banned for posting things that were considered threats. Of course, we could criticize Bush all day long, but there is a line not to cross. Anytime someone crosses that line into some threatening type of speech, then the Secret Service becomes really interested.

[Lil Missy]

13. I just read the 2 links you provided.

I did not know about the Secret Service thing or the threats made here.

Honestly, as much as I hated bush, I would not stand for threats against his life. If a couple people made such suggestions that concerned the Secret Service, then arrest their asses. We don't need that kinda shit here. That's just nonsense, I hope we can agree.

I am glad the Secret Service is doing their job.