A chilling effect

Via Say Uncle and Alan I found this:

The memo, which actually takes the form of an administrative directive, appears to be the product of undated but recent high level meetings between Napolitano, John Pistole, head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA),and one or more of Obama’s national security advisors. This document officially addresses those who are opposed to, or engaged in the disruption of the implementation of the enhanced airport screening procedures as “domestic extremists.”

The introductory paragraph of the multi-page document states that it is issued “in response to the growing public backlash against enhanced TSA security screening procedures and the agents conducting the screening process.” Implicit within the same section is that the recently enhanced security screening procedures implemented at U.S. airports, and the measures to be taken in response to the negative public backlash as detailed [in this directive], have the full support of the President. In other words, Obama not only endorses the enhanced security screening, but the measures outlined in this directive to be taken in response to public objections.

The terminology contained within the reported memo is indeed troubling. It labels any person who “interferes” with TSA airport security screening procedure protocol and operations by actively objecting to the established screening process, “including but not limited to the anticipated national opt-out day” as a “domestic extremist.” The label is then broadened to include “any person, group or alternative media source” that actively objects to, causes others to object to, supports and/or elicits support for anyone who engages in such travel disruptions at U.S. airports in response to the enhanced security procedures.

For individuals who engaged in such activity at screening points, it instructs TSA operations to obtain the identities of those individuals and other applicable information and submit the same electronically to the Homeland Environment Threat Analysis Division, the Extremism and Radicalization branch of the Office of Intelligence & Analysis (IA) division of the Department of Homeland Security.

The way I read this is that people exercising their specific enumerated right of free speech will be reported to the Department of Homeland Security. Doesn’t that constitute a “chilling effect”? Can the entire chain of thugs all the way up to Obama be charged with violation of 18 USC 241  and/or 18 USC 242?

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11 thoughts on “A chilling effect

  1. I wonder how that applies in WA, where it is well established that a police officer cannot simply stop you and demand ID–you have to commit/be suspected of a crime of some sort first.

  2. Given the author of that linked article, I think there is reason to withhold judgment on the accuracy of the content of the article.
    You could write just about anything right now about some outrage by Napolitano, Pistole, DHS and TSA, and most readers would believe it without verification.

  3. I wonder how that applies in WA, where it is well established that a police officer cannot simply stop you and demand ID–you have to commit/be suspected of a crime of some sort first.

    Actually, in WA they can’t even demand ID THEN either. They can ASK all they want…they cannot (legally) demand. WA does not have a clearly defined ‘stop and identify’ statute allowing the police such actions.

    See the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Division’s Aug. 2004 issue of the Law Enforcement Digest.

    PDF https://fortress.wa.gov/cjtc/www/led/2004/aug04.pdf

    WORD https://fortress.wa.gov/cjtc/www/led/2002/aug02.doc

  4. Well, I guess as of tomorrow (probably), I can honestly say my government employees view me as a “domestic extremist”.

    Great. And halfwits out there will still claim that we are fabricating stories of governmental persecution for daring to exercise our rights…

  5. I suppose they could also go to the fallback “make something up then arrest you for it”–disorderly conduct, anyone?

  6. I’ve read a lot of things about the TSA protesters wanting “Israel-style” airport security. There have been a few articles written in the last few days about the security situation at airports in Israel. Perhaps everyone should read up on what they do in Israel before demanding that type of security? I think you might find it far more intrusive than the X-ray machines.

  7. Ubu,

    I think by now it should be clear to you that many of the people on this blog (myself included) seem to prefer second amendment-style security, which is not invasive in the least.

  8. I’ll be more concerned when someone posts and actual scanned copy of the alleged internal memo.

  9. Hitler and his underlings used the same tactics when dealing with individuals or groups who were not in agreement with or who demonstrated in any way contrary to the regime. I am reading “DER FUEHRER” by Konrad Heiden, published 1944. I have read a dozen or more accounts of Hitler’s rise from obscurity to absolute power, this is by far the most detailed.

    It makes me wonder if Mr. Soros is using this book as a guide.

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