Secret Service Searches Home of Protester

[shance]

McCarthyism Watch: Secret Service Searches Home of Protester
by Matthew Rothschild

Renee Jensen of Elkins, West Virginia, likes to express herself.

She has put up as many as a dozen signs in her yard over the past year, protesting the war in Iraq, Bush and Cheney, and the crackdown on civil liberties.

Some of her signs have said:

"Mr. Bush, You're Fired."

"Mr. Ashcroft, We Prefer Our America Remain the Home of the Free and the Brave."

"Mr. Cheney, What You Sow You Shall Reap. Those Who Destroy the Earth Will Be Destroyed."

"Mr. Rumsfeld, Human Beings Are Not Just Collateral Damages, but People with Hopes, Dreams, Relationships, and Lives to Live."

"O, Evil Doers, Bush and Cheney Are Destroying America. I Cry Liberty and Stand for Our Constitution."

"Love One Another: War Is Dead Wrong."

Her vigorous exercise of free speech has not been well received.

One day in early January, her signs were vandalized.

"I had gone to the movies, and when I came back, all my signs were stolen," she tells The Progressive. "And one had been turned over, and someone wrote, "We love George Bush" on it."

(snip)

But those were the least of Jensen's problems.

(snip)


Then on January 11, she had some unexpected visitors.

I was actually taking a nap, and there was a knock on my door, there was a West Virginia State Trooper and a Secret Service agent,î she says, identifying them as Trooper R. J. Boggs and Agent James Lanham. ìThey asked to come in. And I let them. And they started interviewing me.î

Jensen, who at the time was running for city council, asked why they were there.

"Apparently someone had made a statement that I'd been canvassing door to door and had said I wanted to cut President Bush's head off," she says. "I told Agent Lanham that I was running for city council, but I hadn't started my door-to-door campaign yet and I never had said anything like that."

This didn't satisfy them, though.

"They conducted an extensive interview about my background, my family, and any political organizations I belonged to," she says. "I told them I belong to the ACLU and that's about it."

They continued to pry, she says.

Agent Lanham "asked me several times to sign a form about releasing my medical records, and I refused," she says. "That was kind of annoying. And he asked to search my house. He didn't have a search warrant, but I said go ahead. And they took some pictures of me and some pictures of my signs."

Before they left, she says, "I had to sign a statement that I never threatened the Presidentís life."

The Secret Service office in Charleston refused to give a comment to the Gazette, and a phone call from The Progressive to the Secret Service in Washington was not returned.

(snip)

Though she hasn't heard from the Secret Service since, Jensen is not happy about the power citizens have to rat their neighbors out for merely expressing political views they disagree with.

"It's very easy for other people to call up the Secret Service or the Department of Homeland Security," she says, "and say things about you and have you investigated."


http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0430-26.htm

[FreedomAngel82]

1. Oh wow

This is getting VERY scary. :scared:

[Kerrytravelers]

2. I think it's pretty clear where this nation is headed.

I've heard of other similar stories over the past year or two.

I'm terrified. Just terrified. But they won't silence me.

[FreedomAngel82]

4. Me either

No way in hell. Reminds me of the Alex Jones documentary "Martial Law." :\ I haven't seen that one yet.

[Swamp Rat]

3. Not only is this un-American but they are jeopardizing our country

by wasting law inforcement resources.

I hope Jensen makes a big stink about this. The asshole who called the Secret Service should be investigated and made to pay for the time wasted by the authorities.

[lavenderdiva]

5. My gosh... what is happening?

to America, as we once knew it? I guess Shrub and his cronies have squashed our first amendment rights forever (or at least until 2008, when I am hoping the rest of America votes for change of regime). I certainly hope that Ms. Jensen wins her city council race, but they may have Diebold there, and Secret Service to ensure the count is 'correct'.

:scared: :scared: :scared: :hide: :hide: :hide:

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[flordehinojos]

22. and POOOPY is standing by letting all this dismantling of democracy happen

because he wants to make darn sure not a damn thing happens to his bushit boy.

don't no one ever talk to me about the honor of pooopy number 41's presidency...it didn't have any--and it has even less when he stands by enabling his bushit boy to dismantle every civil liberty and every protection americans have thought of as their birth right since the founding of our constitution.

the bushits don't give a darn about you, me, or the american constitution.

they just give a darn about themselves.

[NVMojo]

6. What a crock of bullshit! If someone can do that, their name should

be available to the falsely accused and there should be charges brought! There is something obscenely wrong when a person's privacy can be invaded by the Secret Service based on unaccountable HEARSAY!

[lavenderdiva]

8. Good point...

Can Ms. Jensen find out WHO actually contacted Secret Service about this? Seems only fitting to know who is pointing the finger at you... Of course, I now wonder if she is able to file a libel/slander suit against them?

[RagingInMiami]

9. I would never have allowed them to search my home nor pose for photos

[FreedomAngel82]

13. Me either

I wonder why she did it. Maybe she didn't want to be in any trouble and corporated so they'd leave. This is a scary country.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

10. History does repeat itself.

""It's very easy for other people to call up the Secret Service or the Department of Homeland Security," she says, "and say things about you and have you investigated."

That was the same thing that eventually developed in German. This lady's first mistake was letting them in the door. It's probably a safe bet she has not heard the last of them. My response's to their questions would have been.

"there was a West Virginia State Trooper and a Secret Service agent,î she says, identifying them as Trooper R. J. Boggs and Agent James Lanham. ìThey asked to come in"

That's ok, we can talk out here.

"And he asked to search my house"

That will be fine, just as soon as you produce a warrant.

"I had to sign a statement that I never threatened the Presidents life."

I don't think so. If you think I have, then you should bring a criminal complaint.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[gratuitous]

29. Excellent points to keep in mind

You can politely but firmly shut the door in the Gestapo's faces. You don't even have to go out on the porch and talk to them. You don't have to talk to them at all.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

30. One should never be afraid to firmly exert their rights when

confronted with the police. However, keep in mind that one does not want to get into a fight with them as that is a fight you're not going to win.

A court of law is where you want to fight them at which is why it has become increasingly important for us not to allow them to subvert the judiciary, which they are currently attempting to do.

[Djinn]

11. is it actually illegal to "want"

to kill georgie, if you don't make any statement indicating that you're GOING to do it surely you should be free to wish for his death til the cows come home?

I would have told them to fuck off just like I have when the cops have wanted to search me or my house without a warrant

[shance]

12. This is why neighborhood coalitions with people you know and trust

is an important thing to do. I am going to pass this out to neighbors that I know tomorrow. I am glad to see this woman is running for city council. She obviously is actively trying to do something to create positive change in our current situation. Kudos to her. It is also probably part of the reason this received some needed publicity.

It's just more McCarthyistic attempts to essentially scapegoat and unfairly isolate anyone who happens to oppose Cheney/Bush policies and to try and intimidate and wrongly accuse individuals unfairly and from all accounts that I can see, illegally.

The best remedy is building and promoting awareness with other neighbors and friends and shedding light on such violations.

[Wizard777]

17. Not always

As long as everyone is welcome, has a voice, and rights. Then neighborhood coalitions and associations can be a powerful tool to communities. Otherwise they are just another Neighborhood Nazi Assocation with a tin pot despot headed for a war they will lose. I have fought several and won everytime.

[shance]

19. Yes, its very important for everyone to have a voice.

And good for you to be so involved.

I think it is helpful to talk with and inform friends and neighbors that those opposing the Administrations' policies may be being placed on a 'list' for the mere reason that they publicly oppose the policie being enacted. That in and of itself is a huge violation of Civil Liberties and more importantly illegal.

I think the violations and outrageousness of such invasions speaks for itself.

[Nite Owl]

15. Scarey stuff!

Why would they want her medical records anyway? Did they want to see if she was under any pychological treatment?

[Selatius]

16. Seems like a reasonable guess.

If she was thought mentally unstable, they'd probably put her on a watchlist or something.

[shance]

18. I think its pretty obvious she was already on a watchlist.

Which of course begs the questions, WHAT watchlist? Who's watchlist?

WHY watchlist? And who created it?

Was she on a 'watch list' simply because she opposed Bush policies?

If so, that's illegal in a big way.

[Jose Diablo]

20. Citizen informing and STASI, just like East Germany

TIPS, this is how its being set-up. Take some ignoramous that objects to what you say, couple that to a informant process then add in a SS (as in Germany, WWWII) then we end up with a police state. Disable the search and seizure laws and the right of Habius Corpus, then all thats needed is the camps.

Bu$h and his cronies are not idiots and imbeciles, they know exactly what they are doing. Do you?

Question is, what are we going to do about it? Wring our hands and say, "Oh my, thats not right"? Walk in protests? Letters to the Editor? Do you actually believe that any of the above made difference whatsoever in Germany (WWWII) or to the STASI?

I don't think people really understand what we are up against. It is not the same game as 60-70's. In this game of marbles, we are playing keepsies.

[MountainLaurel]

43. My first thought as well n/t

[TWiley]

21. How is the neighborhood watch under homeland security

different than than the KKK?

When the department of Homeland Security becomes fully politicized (and it will under the current regime) it will become the American version of the STAZI.

In the end, the Christians will not even want the type of government they are forcing into existence.

[shance]

23. Anyone know about the neighborhood watch group started in Florida

It flew under the radar (gasp!) and obviously this needs more exposure.

The Administration tried to start up Total Information Awareness after 9-11, but they were supposedly shut down. It looks like everything else, of course they "said" they were immediately ceasing such a project.

Doesnt look that way, does it?

Anyone heard of a program like this within Homeland security promoting Gladdis Kravis snooping in every neighborhood? (Instead of a chicken in every pot we get a spy in every block.)

Like everything else in this Administration, its a secret. Guess that might be because its illegal.

[TWiley]

32. The GOP does have it's operatives all over the Nation.

And I would not be surprised if their supporters were more involved in the neighborhood watch groups than their democratic counterparts were.

If you look into the radical right, the white supremacists, many do function as a "neighborhood watch and enforcement agency" In the Pacific Northwest, there is a group called the "Posse Commutates". There are other "posse" outfits across the nation as well. I suppose the "minutemen" on the Mexican border could be counted as a posse as well. How fast would a "neighborhood" become integrated if the local Klan ran the watch group?

Linked to this idea are the "vigilante's. I believe they get their name from the "vigilance committee". Again, these "committees" behave like kangaroo courts. The current fuss over sex offenders in the neighborhoods seems to be adding the fuel of fear and outrage to this movement.

The difficult part is setting up the organization. Fear will do this nicely. The easy part is when it is infiltrated by the radical right, and those who are not like minded get bullied out.

The bushtapo could be planning to use such a movement much the same way as Adolph Hitler used the Brown Shirts in Pre-War Germany.

It is an ugly development no matter how you look at it.

[shance]

39. Sunshine and light is the best disinfectant for darkness and secrecy.

We are not powerless at ALL. That is when we become powerless when we react to what they are doing instead of coming together to eliminate it.

[11 Bravo]

24. I wonder if Coulter was ever interviewed by the SS ...

after advocating the assassination of the Big Dog.

[mmonk]

25. When the Mullahs took over Iran,

neighbors would rat on each other in the same fashion.

[shance]

27. THIS IS ILLEGAL FOLKS. DO YOU GET IT? ITS NOT LAWFUL

for them to do.

Please stop accepting the unacceptable. What they are doing is what they are doing in so many areas of our lives. It's called abuse and its wrong and its our responsibility to defend ourselves and say no.

[thecai]

28. Repeal The Patriot Acts

Yes, this harrassment is unConstitutional, hence Bush's patriot acts, to "lealize" the abuse of powers. Our nation is not one bit safer due to the patriot acts, but rather, our civil liberties are endangered. I've had my house "broken into" while I was not at home, my phone was bugged (I've thrown it away since then), and I've been under investigation for opposing corruption and abuse of powers.
Repeal The P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Acts and IMPEACH BUSH!

[shance]

37. Thank you for posting Cai. It's wrong in every conceivable way

what is being enacted by the Administration and to good people. Im sorry to hear they seem to be targeting you. I know its no consolation but you are in no way alone. Keep fighting and getting the word out.

I hope you will get in touch with a local ACLU chapter around your area, as well as talk about what you have been noticing with other involved citizens and activists, not to mention trusted friends and family. And keep records of things that don't seem to make sense, feel uncomfortable to you or threatening. As we know this affects everybody in the long run.

[TWiley]

34. This is why I support the ACLU. Consider Joining Today.

I became a card-carrying member a couple years ago. They are among the only group with enough balls to challenge the bushtap on these grounds.

Join today, and encourage your friends to do the same.

It is far better than tithing to a church.

[mmonk]

40. These past few years

have basically been unlawful. We're becoming like Iran and losing America (my point).

[shance]

41. I didn't mean to solo you out Monk. You're absolutely right.

I think however we have to get some testosterone pumping in our veins, male or female, and fight these injustices.

If we allow it, and dont fight it, then quite simply we are complicit are we not?

[dogday]

26. I would of never let them search my house.....

One of the last refuges of our democracy is our home and our right to abide and have peace there. I would never allow a search of my home without a warrant.

[TWiley]

33. Well, you probably would not have much of a choice.

Under the Patriot Act, the Bushtapo can search your house when you are not home without even bothering to notify you.

[SoCalDem]

31. Anne Frank's family was "informed on too"

Anonymous allegations are impossible to refute, and they know it.. Intimidation works.. This woman will forever be the "candidate who had the secret service pay her a visit"..

[bvar22]

35. There is a way to defeat this type of program.

Overload the system with BOGUS information.
As long as the informer can remain anonymous, it is possible to inform on Right Wing Republicans. I've informed on Rush many times.

If you are going to use the InterNet to contact Homeland Security about your neighbor who has a Bush sign in his front yard, but secretly meets with MiddleEastern looking people late at night and keeps automatic weapons in his basement under a picture of Yassir Arafat, DON"T USE YOUR HOME COMPUTER or your phone, or use your return address.

These reports will be permanent. Even if discredited, they will remain in a permanent data file under that person's name. When enough god fearin bush* votin republicans get pulled out of airport lines, or denied seats on an airplane, or get paid visits from Fatherland Security something will be done.

When everybody has a file at Fatherland security, the system will be useless.

People, you know your Patriotic Duty.
Everyone has a bush* lovin bigot of a Republican neighbor, maybe its time they had a file with Fatherland Security.




Edited to add note for Agent Mike:
I'm only JOKING!!! Lighten Up, man. Where's your sense of HUMOR?????
I am a patriotic American and would NEVER EVER tell ANYONE to actually do something like this.

I'm really doing a favor for HomeLand Security by pointing out the BIG SECURITY HOLE in anonymous information gathering programs like TIA.

BTW: What's your last name and home address. Didn't I hear you asking about flying an airplane without learning how to land??

[shance]

38. Thanks Bvar.

n/t

[bvar22]

36. BTW SoCalDem...Great sig pic!!!!

*

[goodhue]

42. she should have refused

eom

[shance]

44. morning kick

n/t