Roger’s Rules

September 26th, 2008 12:08 am

Obama’s “truth squads” or, Remember the First Amendment?

How many things we take for granted: a robust freedom of the press, for example, and the liberty to criticize political candidates for example.

Time was, Americans could say pretty much whatever they wished about political candidates.

The news on this front, at least from Team Obama, is not encouraging. Gateway Pundit has this report:

Missouri Sheriffs & Top Prosecutors Form Obama “Truth Squads” & Threaten Libel Charges Against Obama Critics

More Hope and Change for Missouri… St. Louis and Missouri Democrat sheriffs and top prosecutors are planning to go after anyone who makes false statements against Obama during his campaign. This is so one sided I can’t even begin to describe how wrong this agenda is.

It’s one thing if they want to keep the campaign fair for both sides, but they clearly only want to enforce the issue for the Obama Camp.

KMOV has a video report on the Obama “Truth Squads”.

Glenn Reynolds has a growing list of disturbing items on this subject, including this report from his increasingly worrisome series “They told me that if George W. Bush were re-elected . . .” This time it’s “They told me that if George W. Bush were re-elected there would be brazen efforts to suppress free speech on political grounds — and they were right!”

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12 Comments

1. Lefroy:

This is a hoax, surely? The first amendment would protect libellous speech about a politician whether in a civil action or a criminal charge.

Even in England where the libel laws are much tougher, I believe the consent of the Attorney General is required to file criminal libel charges.

What is absolutely amazing is that public officials in the US can get away with this.

Sep 26, 2008 - 2:02 am 2. Tom G.:

Truth Squads? This must be a “1984″ spoof. Otherwise, somebody’s messin with somebody else’s meds, and that’s not right.

Sep 26, 2008 - 9:22 am 3. Fausta’s Blog » Blog Archive » McCain knocks Obama off the headlines, again:

[...] One was displeased. His campaign resorted to truth squads and downright [...]

Sep 26, 2008 - 10:35 am 4. LSD:

OBAMA über alles!

Actually, this should be seen as a shot across Biden’s bow. He could end up in jail if he’s not careful.

Sep 26, 2008 - 10:46 am 5. David Thomson:

The sad thing that most Americans are utterly unaware of this crisis. They have no idea that Barack Obama’s people have such contempt for our First Amendment rights.
We are living in a frightening era. It is virtually impossible to get the truth out. The MSM still dominates—and it is now, for all practical purposes, the propaganda arm of the Democratic Party.

Sep 26, 2008 - 11:05 am 6. David Thomson:

I also must add that there is too much dangerous talk about how the Republicans will kick some serious butt in the elections of 2010 if Barack Obama is our next president. On the contrary, the Democrats will do everything possible to destroy what remains of our First Amendment rights. Also, get ready for the arrests and lawsuits. Just enough people will harassed to scare the hell out of everybody else. It may be too late in 2010 to save the country.

Sep 26, 2008 - 11:33 am 7. srlucado:

So wait a minute…there are law enforcement officers who are going to arrest and prosecute people for making untruthful statements–but only those made about one candidate?

Wow, Obama not only learned his campaigning lessons in Chicago, but in Moscow.

And the media is okay with this?

America, it was nice knowin’ ya.

Scott

Sep 26, 2008 - 2:28 pm 8. Arktek48:

And I thought Jonah Goldberg was stretching things a bit with his new book “Liberal Fascism”. He should have waited and could have added a few extra chapters devoted to Obama’s goons.

Sep 26, 2008 - 3:08 pm 9. fox mulder:

Yes, this is very true. And we, the great unwashed masses, will allow this travesty to happen. And once it does; like the old saying, you can’t go home again. What boggles the mind, is that neither John McCain nor Ms Palin are saying anything about this; anywhere. I’m starting to look at John McCain, and seeing Bob Dole vs Bill Clinton. I really believe we’re doomed.

Sep 27, 2008 - 9:45 am 10. RGR:

I can’t help but wonder why there isn’t at least some façade of impartiality. Would it really be that difficult to say one thing and do the other?

Sep 27, 2008 - 3:36 pm 11. Steynian 256 « Free Mark Steyn!:

[...] MISSOURI Sheriffs & Top Prosecutors Form Obama “Truth Squads” & Threaten Libel Charges Against [...]

Sep 27, 2008 - 3:39 pm 12. Michael Lonie:

Maybe they will be in the paperback edition, coming out soon. If the Democrats can make this sort of thing stick there may be no further editions.

Sep 27, 2008 - 6:47 pm