If you knew someone had mentioned wanting to commit a felony, how would you feel? (see details)

I think it depends both on the person and the “tone” of how he said it. I mean, my roommate just now said we should “murder these damn Republicans!” I’m sure he didn’t actually mean it at all.

But if this person has recently purchased a sniper rifle. Or one of those guns from the movie “Eraser” so that he actually could shoot three of them with one bullet. ....

In the words of Geroge Carlin in regards to TGIF, “It’s time to start bombing these locations!”

Interesting question. From a purely theoretical point of view, I would say this is a clear exception to the First Amendment. According to this educational University website and the American Bar Association, it seems that it constitutes “Sedition”:

“Although not without controversy, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld statutes which prohibit the advocacy of unlawful conduct against the government or the violent overthrow of the government”

And I would definitely put that in the category of “unlawful conduct against the government”.

As far as the practical aspect, that’s harder to say. If you have a beef with the guy, or if you begin to think he’s serious, I would say call the Secret Service on his ass. Since you said he’s a friend, well, it’s your decision to be friends with someone like that.

All I know is that if he ever put those sentiments in writing and mailed it into the anybody on the govt. he would have the Secret Service knocking I his door.

You are really the only one who knows him well enough to determine if the words he expressed should be reported this putting him on their radar screen.

I’m sure that folks blow off steam with ill-chosen words all the time. But I can see why it would be disturbing to hear from someone who has been a long term friend.

Well, the line should be drawn at actual danger, or actual intentional threat (rather than a blowing off steam threat).

Just like you did. You knew that this guy isn’t really gonna hurt anyone, so you did the right thing: nothing.

If you found a stash of weapons at his house, with airline tickets to D.C., and poetry about killing Mr. Obama, all in one house… well at that point, maybe turn him into the Secret Service. But ONLY at that point.

I find it incredibly hypocritical of these Obama haters though… who were so complicit, and so compliant, and so encouraging… of Bush who was spending 3 times the money Obama proposes to spend… and on killing people over a corporate supported war started with phony evidence and a violent think tank (PNAC).

Those few people who strongly condemned Bush all along, have every right to condemn Obama, if they like.

But those who supported Bush, have no moral or intellectual authority to criticize ANYONE in politics.

The heavy-handed protests… like wearing gun belts to presidential gatherings, should have occurred during BUSH’s tenure, not Mr. Obama’s.

The worst thing about Obama is that he is Bush-lite. He is beholden to the same bankers, and the same businessmen, in some industries.

The best thing about Obama is that he has not sold his entire soul to the military industrial complex and a violent world-dominating-agenda’d think-tank, the way Bush did.

If I remember correctly, uttering a threat against the president is not protected speech.

Freedom of speech does not include violent threats.

If I felt they were serious about carrying out that threat, or would do harm to others, I would not associate with them further.

You friend doesn’t sound serious. Sounds more like indignant rambling.
How if he pulls an automatic weapon from under his bed and starts detailing plans on how he’s going to do it, then you have some things to think about.

I dunno… Just saying something shouldn’t be taken too seriously, unless there’s other evidence of mental instability. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve vehemently spit out, “God, I want to kill them!” Did I mean it? Not usually. :P

I don’t really think one can differentiate between “free speech” and “hate speech” because “hate speech” is not necessarily threatening. Threats are in a league of their own, as they should be. As much as I don’t like it when people say certain things (as long as they aren’t actually threats) I fully support their right to say it, even though I may have nothing to do with them.

I guess he wants Biden.

These people do know that if Obama gets killed another Democrat (Biden) takes over right? This leads me to think that their issues with Obama are bigger than with Democrats in general. The health insurance and all of his other ‘controversial’ ideas will still be there, and the only difference will be a white guy tries to get it legislated.

The problem is that there is no gap in between free speech and hate speech/threats, they overlap. Like always it depends on the subject and how touchy that subject is considered in the media. For instance saying you hate black people will get you in more trouble than saying you hate Mexicans.

The law in Holland clearly draws a line at attempt to promote hate, insulting an officer of the government (police, politicians) and spreading lies (defamation). If you would force this law in America at least a third of the conservatists would be in jail right now. But I have to say (to my regret) in Holland we became a lot less tolerant on this issue.

Thanks for all the great responses. I don’t think the guy is serious, but when you work in security, you always have your radar for trouble up and running. I think he’s just blowing off steam, as he has expressed in the past how he couldn’t kill anyone outside of self defense.

Maybe it was because I again threatened to email a love letter to Nancy Pelosi signed with his name. it’s an inside joke between us.

I believe it’s called, “uttering a threat” – in legal terms and can bring about charges. When they are made against the government or reps of the government, that is extremely serious. People have noted that you probably know the person best and probably know he’s not seriouis. But do we ever really know someone? Pretty much every time someone goes out and blows people away, those who knew the killer admit they thought he was just a nice, quiet person who they would never suspect of doing such a thing. Personally, I don’t trust anyone not to do the unthinkable. Rage and revenge are very powerful and scary emotions.

So you can be arrested for saying out loud that you want to kill the president, but not if you bring a gun to one of his rallies? Even though they deliberately not arrested those people with guns to shut them up. That sounds.. erm wrong.

@markyy

I see where you’re coming from but as an educated guess at why he wasn’t arrested I would say there were two possible factors at work.

1) the gun was not being concealed but worn openly. Here in the US whichever states permit concealed carry require a special permit for that one aspect alone. This would be in addition to licensing requirements. Open carry is different.

2) with today’s technology, I’m sure they started checking this guy out the second they spotted him. If he did not have a registered gun, I doubt they would have let him be. I’m pretty sure he knew this also.

3) I’m sure there was at least one undercover agent near him to take him down if he made one false move. The guys with the suits and earpieces aren’t the ONLY Secret Service guys around.

And even tho I disagree with his political position, I have to give the guy props for his cleverness. The quote he used was not a direct threat since no one was named, but it did get his point across. And that’s what free speech is all about.

@Buttonstc It’s not about safety. I like to think it was a choice to let these guys walk around (under extra surveillance) and that Obama was never in any real danger. I’m just pointing out that apparently words are treated more dangerous than guns, I guess the pen truly is mightier than the sword.