O'Malley, Cardin criticize police spying on activists

Gov. Martin O'Malley said today that state police are obligated to investigate threats to public safety, but his administration will not use public resources to monitor the peaceful exercise of free speech.

[Mike Calo]

Well done, Governor. But I'm sure the O'Malley bashers will find a way to turn this against you.

[Igor]

As a policeman I am entitled to view, photograph or videotape anyone in the public realm.

Too bad if the liberals don't like it.

That's YOUR problem.

[Motorhead Fan]

That's our democrat political machine - weak on domestic security.

[Norris]

Of course, O'Malley and Cardin 'criticize' looking at activists. They are all pocket liberals, and anything that advances the liberal cause is just fine. On the other hand, activists who are out to do us harm also infest these same groups. This Free Speech right has been used to cover a number of things that are not.

[Theo]

Typical liberal pablum from O'Malley and the other thieves. Yeah .... right .... don't hurt the feelings of the wittle activists, and let the terorists run amok. Another examaple of how O'Malley's head is in the sand.

[Igor]

Over twenty years ago when I was in Intel I infiltrated a group of Peace Activists. I gathered info on them. I must have been convincing because all the females, and some of the men, wanted me in their beds. Actually when I left the group I felt that I was somehow betraying them because they trusted me. I am bringing this up now so that the groups should be careful that anyone could secretly be a cop undercover. Beware.........

[westmonster]

Will any of the fools who posted above please inform me as to how surveillance of peace groups has anything to do with apprehending terrorists? Norris go back under your rock, members of protest organizations or anti-war coalitions are not "out to do us harm" you fear mongering sissy.

And motorhead, this has absolutely nothing to do with national security. where are the terrorists in these organizations? Where are they running amok?? The articles concerning this spying debacle clearly say that these organizations HAVE COMMITTED NO ILLEGAL ACTS, let alone the harboring of terrorists! And yet they were continually surveyed for a year.

What a waste of taxpayer money, and its a real shame that the idiot conservatives who frequent this forum are too d-a-m-n stupid to realize that this is big brother/big government issue. They should be able to say, "hey, I prefer small government, thats what makes me a conservative, so I should be against this no matter what organizations are targeted".... but idiocy reigns supreme on the right wing.

[Snake]

I guess westmonster has a lot of law enforcement experience? I didn't think so. Another paranoid liberal flake worried about nothing. Time to grow up!

[Motorhead Fan]

westmonster wrote:

Will any of the fools who posted above please inform me as to how surveillance of peace groups has anything to do with apprehending terrorists? Norris go back under your rock, members of protest organizations or anti-war coalitions are not "out to do us harm" you fear mongering sissy.
And motorhead, this has absolutely nothing to do with national security. where are the terrorists in these organizations? Where are they running amok?? The articles concerning this spying debacle clearly say that these organizations HAVE COMMITTED NO ILLEGAL ACTS, let alone the harboring of terrorists! And yet they were continually surveyed for a year.
What a waste of taxpayer money, and its a real shame that the idiot conservatives who frequent this forum are too d-a-m-n stupid to realize that this is big brother/big government issue. They should be able to say, "hey, I prefer small government, thats what makes me a conservative, so I should be against this no matter what organizations are targeted".... but idiocy reigns supreme on the right wing.

Subversive groups often masquerade as peaceniks and anti-death penalty groups. It gives them the opportunity to not bathe with a rational explanation.

I'd rather law enforcement be out in front of these nuts than reacting when it's too late. I've seen what these "peace activists" are all about. Whether they are genuinely Peace Activists depends upon who you're talking to.

[Parkville]

westmonster wrote:

Will any of the fools who posted above please inform me as to how surveillance of peace groups has anything to do with apprehending terrorists? Norris go back under your rock, members of protest organizations or anti-war coalitions are not "out to do us harm" you fear mongering sissy.
And motorhead, this has absolutely nothing to do with national security. where are the terrorists in these organizations? Where are they running amok?? The articles concerning this spying debacle clearly say that these organizations HAVE COMMITTED NO ILLEGAL ACTS, let alone the harboring of terrorists! And yet they were continually surveyed for a year.
What a waste of taxpayer money, and its a real shame that the idiot conservatives who frequent this forum are too d-a-m-n stupid to realize that this is big brother/big government issue. They should be able to say, "hey, I prefer small government, thats what makes me a conservative, so I should be against this no matter what organizations are targeted".... but idiocy reigns supreme on the right wing.

Now this is funny... An O'Malley advocate talking about wasting taxpayer's money. These two clowns (O'Malley and Cardin) have absolutely no credibility, so who the hell cares what they say?

[Snake]

I think thr gov needs another trip to Ireland until this blows over. I'm sure his state police detail will go also.

[Jeff S]

Average working Americans are apathetic enough about politics and their community and this kind of nonsense will only dissuade even more from participating. Ironically, you can't even get a cop out of their car to patrol my neighborhood yet they sit for hours spying on law abiding citizens involved in legal gatherings!
When the state violates the constitution our forefathers have died in vain. Didn't the police take an oath to protect and defend the citizens and uphold the constitution? Was this just words as we all suspected. This is confirmation for many of us that they do not actually serve the citizens as they boast but are merely servants of whomever holds power at the moment.
They are supposed to be servants of the law, not a person. They are supposed to be able to think also. They had law classes so the police knew they were violating the civil rights of the citizens they claim to be protecting. What is it about a uniform or a badge that prevents humans from thinking for themselves and knowing right from wrong? Just like soldiers who were ordered to shoot unarmed students at Kent State or the Nazis who just did their job. Even humans with a badge on their shirt should be accountable when they violate the law just like I am when I violate the speed limit or other laws… even if they are ordered to do so! They serve the citizens and the constitution after all, not their boss! Perhaps they do not stand for something greater or perhaps their oath was just words after all. I hope the opinion of this law abiding and taxpaying citizen, as "American" as expression is supposed to be, does not put me on a watch list.