Free Speech???
Thread started by
Eric Hair at 10.22.08 - 4:14 pm
Raid targets Mongols motorcycle gang
After the arrests of 61 members of the Mongols biker gang on federal racketeering charges Tuesday, U.S. Atty. Thomas P. O'Brien stood in front of two dozen gleaming motorcycles seized from the gang and vowed to go after more than just the Mongols' means of transportation.
In what he called an unprecedented move, O'Brien said he would seek to take control of the Mongols' name, which the gang has trademarked, through a restraining order barring them from wearing it.
Give this guy a copy of the Constitution!
Imagine you've been charged with a crime, of which you are innocent. You have a right to prove that you are innocent. That's the foundation upon which our justice system is built
Now imagine the authorities have forbid you from saying certain things, of writing certain things, and of drawing certain things. How are you to prove yourself innocent!?!
You wouldn't be able to, and that's why the very first amendment to the constitution is designed to prevent such censorship and limitation.
Now...I understand that the Mongols' logo is not likely to vindicate their murderous behaviour, but that's an opinion for me to have, NOT an opinion that U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O'Brien is allowed to act upon. Once they begin to make exceptions, and justifications, our right to free speech has be compromised.
Here's the link to the LA Times article.
Mongols Gang Targeted
I sent the author of the article an email asking that he write a follow up story that confronts O'Brien's disregard for the Constitution.
scott.glover@latimes.com
And the phone number for U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O'Brien
(213)894-2434
If anyone can find O'Brien's email addy that would rock.
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i agree. they are a waste of space (for the most part, never heard of anything decent they've done really)
but that is still no reason to begin taking more of our civil liberties, as written down on the constitution, from the rest of us.
Jazzy Phat Nastee10.22.08 - 5:59 pm
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