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Whether Threats are Real or Idle, it's Against the Law
Now that the people of the United States of America, composed of all races, colors and demographics, have elected the first African American to serve as President of the United States, a possibly torturous road toward healing elements of this nation may be required.
During the pursuit of the highest office in the land, many half truths, untruths and lies have been disseminated into the public domain, causing heightened tensions and for a minority within the populous, an all consuming rage at the choice of an African American as president to lead this nation.
The feelings of any person or group are theirs to feel as that is their right.
However, regarding the President of the United States, it is not an accepted action to threaten the life of the President.
What actions can and will be taken remain in the hands of law enforcement and its various agencies, included among those the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the machinery now in place to counter terrorism as a result of the Patriot Acts I and II, with any terroristic threats, which can and will be defined by law enforcement when they seek those that would harm the new President Elect, to be handled within the fullest extent of the law.
Food for thought the next time someone or some group says, vocally or in print, that they'd like to do this, that or the other thing, regarding the President.
That could be their last wish uttered aloud as a free person for possibly an undetermined amount of time.
From US Code: Title 18,871 - Threats against the President and Successors to the Presidency:
(a) Whoever knowingly and willfully deposits for conveyance in
the mail or for a delivery from any post office or by any letter
carrier any letter, paper, writing, print, missive, or document
containing any threat to take the life of, to kidnap, or to inflict
bodily harm upon the President of the United States, the President-
elect, the Vice President or other officer next in the order of
succession to the office of President of the United States, or the
Vice President-elect, or knowingly and willfully otherwise makes
any such threat against the President, President-elect, Vice
President or other officer next in the order of succession to the
office of President, or Vice President-elect, shall be fined under
this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(b) The terms "President-elect" and "Vice President-elect" as
used in this section shall mean such persons as are the apparent
successful candidates for the offices of President and Vice
President, respectively, as ascertained from the results of the
general elections held to determine the electors of President and
Vice President in accordance with title 3, United States Code,
sections 1 and 2. The phrase "other officer next in the order of
succession to the office of President" as used in this section
shall mean the person next in the order of succession to act as
President in accordance with title 3, United States Code, sections
19 and 20.
The above statute was used to prosecute an individual who threatened the life of President George W. Bush in 2007.
The Definiton of Terroristic Threats
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (6)
at 10:56 on November 7th, 2008
Good points - we had some expereince with this in the last 24 hours or so... :)
at 11:02 on November 7th, 2008
In theory at least, the "Patriot Act" is not just aimed at Islamic extremist terrorists, but extremists and terrorists of all color, race, creed and doctrine of hate and/or stupidity.
Although, during the election I wondered whose life was at the greatest risk. Was it Obama because nut jobs would not an African-American in office or those who cling to the lies about him see him as a foreign threat. Or would it have been McCain, as many of the whackos against Obama and a coalition of other nutters would want McCain out of the way to put Palin into the White House.
at 17:06 on November 7th, 2008
D.
It is a shame that their are nuts on the fringes of each of our parties. The back lash that would occur with a Obama death would be too much for us to handle. I am hopeful that our SS and other groups keep vigilant on this issue. We have come a long way in America... we don't need a wacko to cause turmoil.
at 12:29 on November 7th, 2008
Good thing this wasn't in force for the last 8 years, eh?
at 17:02 on November 7th, 2008
Thanks for this story
at 18:29 on November 7th, 2008
In today's world post 9/11, anybody that publically utters to bring harm to the President MUST be taken seriously and reported. Most people with good sense would keep those kinds of things to themselves or in private. To PUBLICALLY say these things, is a terrorist act that threatens national security. And should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.It is my hope that anybody, whether it be a group, or a private citizen heed US CODE Title 18,871