Spying on protesters curbs basic rights

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution clearly prohibits any laws abridging "the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." What laws, then, ...

[Mike Calo]

Oh please. Philip Berrigan and the Catonsville Nine didn't let being spied on stop them; they had convictions to their cause and did what they needed to do no matter what.

The only thng missing is Chlarlton Heston coming out and uttering the famous line "Soylent Green is people!"

[Makeshift Patriot]

The Police State has arrived!

[Joe]

Vote Libertarian! Stop the growth of intrusive government! Return the country to the people and not power-hungry, paranoid politicians.

[cant resist]

Where is the outrage when OWE'Malley's people are doing the EXACT SAME THING?

http://omalleywatch.com/...

[Les J]

Spying is not the job of the Stae Police in Maryland.
The Maryland State Police were originally formed as a branch of the Department of Motor Vehicles as a Traffic Safety Division.
Over the years they have gained powers that they should not have, such as the Resident Troopers that are taking place of the Sheriff who is an elected Constitutional Officer.
Time to get them back to thier original duties.

[Garth]

What is the difference between law enforcement providing security at a scene for demonstrations and them doing surveillance? Um, there is none. There were no rights violated here because they did not impede anyone from exercising their 1st Amendment rights. They were there to make sure the scene DID NOT get out of hand and keeping the peace. Whether they were there overtly or covertly, no 1st Amendment rights were violated. Sorry, but you can complain all you want, but protecting my freedom from nuts who get out of hand, is my first concern.

[Indie]

Garth wrote:

What is the difference between law enforcement providing security at a scene for demonstrations and them doing surveillance? Um, there is none. There were no rights violated here because they did not impede anyone from exercising their 1st Amendment rights. They were there to make sure the scene DID NOT get out of hand and keeping the peace. Whether they were there overtly or covertly, no 1st Amendment rights were violated. Sorry, but you can complain all you want, but protecting my freedom from nuts who get out of hand, is my first concern.

i agree with the MSP protecting us from nuts that get out of hand. here in baltimore city, there are lots of people that get out of hand. they are drug dealers, thugs that have unlicensed guns, and people desperate for money.

but how can you begin to argue that the MSP was protecting us?! they spent 300 hours in meetings taking notes on peace and anti-death penalty activists. and that's probably just the tip of the iceberg. this is not how the MSP's time should be spent! all the notes taken in those meetings had not one threatening or anti-american thing to report at all, yet people involved got put in a fed database for terrorism and drug trafficking.

the MSP are doing the illegal bidding of the bush admin by spying on and tracking political opponents. and those who want to speak out are hindered by the MSP's actions; they don't want to be put in a fed database for terrorism and drug trafficking. so many are intimidated to exercise their 1st amendment rights due to intimidation and the fear of having the feds on you for simply voicing dissent or dissatisfaction with the course of our nation.

though subtle, these are nazi and fascist tactics aimed at keeping the govt's detractors at bay. this is utterly scary and dangerous. america is way off course and after 8 years of bush, most americans and the rest of the world agrees.

[Garth]

Indie wrote:

<quoted text>
i agree with the MSP protecting us from nuts that get out of hand. here in baltimore city, there are lots of people that get out of hand. they are drug dealers, thugs that have unlicensed guns, and people desperate for money.
but how can you begin to argue that the MSP was protecting us?! they spent 300 hours in meetings taking notes on peace and anti-death penalty activists. and that's probably just the tip of the iceberg. this is not how the MSP's time should be spent! all the notes taken in those meetings had not one threatening or anti-american thing to report at all, yet people involved got put in a fed database for terrorism and drug trafficking.
the MSP are doing the illegal bidding of the bush admin by spying on and tracking political opponents. and those who want to speak out are hindered by the MSP's actions; they don't want to be put in a fed database for terrorism and drug trafficking. so many are intimidated to exercise their 1st amendment rights due to intimidation and the fear of having the feds on you for simply voicing dissent or dissatisfaction with the course of our nation.
though subtle, these are nazi and fascist tactics aimed at keeping the govt's detractors at bay. this is utterly scary and dangerous. america is way off course and after 8 years of bush, most americans and the rest of the world agrees.

Please tell me where the MSP impeded their 1st Amendment Right?

[Joe]

The MSP didn't violate their 1st Amendment rights...yet. It was only a matter of time before they would have twisted some statements made in meetings to be used as evidence of "terrorist" or subversive activity. This country is getting to be more like Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia every day.

[mike- nottingham]

Mike Calo wrote:

Oh please. Philip Berrigan and the Catonsville Nine didn't let being spied on stop them; they had convictions to their cause and did what they needed to do no matter what.
The only thng missing is Chlarlton Heston coming out and uttering the famous line "Soylent Green is people!"

Or better yet:" Send in the scoops".

[Jere Right]

Makeshift Patriot wrote:

The Police State has arrived!

ONLY IF HUSSEIN IS ELECTED TO CONTROL THE USA WITH PELOSI AND REID and the other liberal fascists.

[Don Clintoneone]

Garth wrote:

What is the difference between law enforcement providing security at a scene for demonstrations and them doing surveillance? Um, there is none. There were no rights violated here because they did not impede anyone from exercising their 1st Amendment rights. They were there to make sure the scene DID NOT get out of hand and keeping the peace. Whether they were there overtly or covertly, no 1st Amendment rights were violated. Sorry, but you can complain all you want, but protecting my freedom from nuts who get out of hand, is my first concern.

Garth: Thanks for the reasoned answer. The Kool Ade drinkers may not be able to understand this. Please accompany by faintingand parsing words and redirect them to Oprah.

[Travis]

Bet the conservative apologists wouldn't be so smug if it was militia memebers, pro-gun groups or anti-abortion activists who were being spied upon and put into a "terrorist watch" database.

It is interesting how Messrs. Bush and Ehrlich never seem to send their minions to spy on those groups.

It is more and more apparent that republicans, contrary to their dogma, love "big government" and "government intrusion" when they can use it for their own self serving purposes.

[Surf52]

Travis wrote:

Bet the conservative apologists wouldn't be so smug if it was militia memebers, pro-gun groups or anti-abortion activists who were being spied upon and put into a "terrorist watch" database.
It is interesting how Messrs. Bush and Ehrlich never seem to send their minions to spy on those groups.
It is more and more apparent that republicans, contrary to their dogma, love "big government" and "government intrusion" when they can use it for their own self serving purposes.

We have no information to suggest that the O'Malley regime isn't keeping an eye on these groups.

[larry g]

Jere Right wrote:

<quoted text>ONLY IF HUSSEIN IS ELECTED TO CONTROL THE USA WITH PELOSI AND REID and the other liberal fascists.

lunatic fringe here

[Don Clintoneone]

larry g wrote:

<quoted text>
lunatic fringe here

Seems some good logic was applied to the statements you object to!!

[Makeshift Patriot]

Jere Right wrote:

<quoted text>ONLY IF HUSSEIN IS ELECTED TO CONTROL THE USA WITH PELOSI AND REID and the other liberal fascists.

The Replicans have their fair share of fascists also. Dems and Repubs, one is no better than the other. They need each other to survive, that is why they won't let anyone else play.

[Makeshift Patriot]

Definition of fascism from Websters.

1:often capitalized : a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition
2: a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control <early instances of army fascism and brutality — J. W. Aldridge

Both Dem. and Rep. parties together constitute fascism.

[rozabell]

As a Maryland taxpayer I'm outraged money would be allotted for this nonsense. I know two of the people mentioned who are an the terror "watch list" and I have to laugh (except it is not funny). The Maryland State Police should be infiltrating gangs like MS 13. Or better yet help ICE track down illegal aliens. But peace activists! This needs to be investigated and heads should roll.

[Jason]

Can't resist the urge to be ignorant and provide no facts huh? Typical of your ilk. Your comment does not even address the issue. Provide evidence to support your claim.

cant resist wrote:

Where is the outrage when OWE'Malley's people are doing the EXACT SAME THING?
http://omalleywatch.com/...