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Originally Posted by Siobhan OFlynn  Sometimes, even liberals reach the end of their rope. I will defend Sarah Palin's right to free speech, but if it ends up that she's incited someone to kill a presidential candidate, I know that the only consequences she'll face are having to live with herself and her (hopefully) guilty conscience. And that makes me very angry and sad. |
But this comes close to the argument that Metallica or Marilyn Manson or whoever had a causal effect upon the Columbine shooters, or that Grand Theft Auto games cause people to kill cops.
I understand your sentiment, but merely whipping up the bigotry already in her crowds is not Palin inducing assassination. It may be unseemly, but it just isn't an inducement.
As far as the
man arrested in Florida for stating his intention to kill Obama, he "threatened to kill, kidnap and cause bodily harm upon a major candidate for president of the United States, that is, Senator Barack Obama, in violation of
Title 18 United States Code, Section 879". This law is a power of the Secret Service and is very specifically addressed to presidents, vice-presidents, and candidates and holds
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Originally Posted by 18 USC 879 Whoever knowingly and willfully threatens to kill, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm upon [a pres, vp, candidate or their families] shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. |
There is no adjudication needed, just go directly to jail, do not pass go. Like all laws, it is subject to judicial review but it isn't a ordinary criminal prosecution.