Illinois Democrats Crack Down On Freedom Of Speech

Democrats in Illinois just passed tough sentencing laws designed to keep people from interacting on social networks. Punish those who commit crimes instead of attacking the way people communicate. What will the Democrats regulate next? Conference calls?

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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/201...n-on-social-media-flash-mobs/?test=latestnews

 

Maybe you didn't read this part:

"ran up and down the upscale shopping area, yelling and bumping into people."


Don't you understand? They were running up AND down in a rich area! Teenagers! And bumping into people, probably upscale people!!! Oh the humanity!!!!

 

Yes, those rapscallions. Throw them in jail for six years!! And keep them off my lawn!

 

It's funny because you are exactly the type of ass-hat who would call the police for that very reason.

 

Seems to me the penalties are extreme for sure and the chance of violence are miniscule but the whole scenario has me rather tossed.

It only takes one idiot to ruin a peaceful and "impomptu" gathering after all.

In a time when we have the Patriot Act ANYTHING can be construed as a potential "threat".

Hey, there could be a bomb carrying dude with a gun and a severe case of halitosis in that crowd. All can kill.

If people want to hold a demonstration a permit is often required and one that demonstrates could be carrying a bomb, a gun and have a severe case of halitosis.

If one wants to attend the Boston Marathon one could possibly be carrying a bomb, a gun and have a severe case of severe case of halitosis.

Question is where is the line drawn?
Who draws it?
Why?

 

I guess Coiny considers violent mobs "freedom of speech". The lunatic fringe sure has some funny notions.

My guess is that the retail community is most upset about this:

“Both CPD and Campus Safety believe this activity is related to the same group of individuals who have attempted to create havoc in the area before,” wrote Robert Fine, the director of campus security for Loyola and a veteran Chicago cop. “In February, we alerted you to a similar incident in which these ‘Flash Mob Offenders’ allegedly committed thefts within local retail stores around the Water Tower Campus community. The offenders exit the Chicago Red Line stop, they go to various shops or restaurants, usually clothing stores, and then storm the stores, taking as many items as they can carry. The incidents seem to occur most often on weekends, between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.”

 

I could care less either way on this one. I can see how some might be concerned as this is, in a small way, restricting people's right to assemble, although the full text of that "right" states in a peaceful manner. We saw this happen in China not so long ago, but the effort grew futile and was soon abandoned, though the law remains.

Now, as someone who's wife works with homeland security on a daily basis, I can assure you there are not the resources, nor will there ever be, to enact this on a scale larger than a state or two taking it upon themselves. If you ever wondered how many computer techs watch for outside terrorism threats via internet...it's one. One man working an eight hour shift, five days a week, minus holidays.

 

What part of "Punish those who commit crimes instead of attacking the way people communicate."

did you not understand? Your statement proves, once again, that you:​

A. Probably can't read​

B. Don't comprehend what you read​

or​

C. A combination of A and B​

Whatever the case may be, please refrain from making comments that make you look like a moron (which, in your case, is every comment you make). Moron.​

 

You seem to be confusing two issues here. Why am I unsurprised? Nobody is preventing the use of social media here, they are preventing the organization of mob actions though social media networks. Why you let FOX convince you that this is a freedom of speech issue I can't say other than you are simply Fox-doctrinated as usual. There have always been limits on free speech and there always will be. We all know them. This is no different except that FOX told you that it was so you believe it. How sad that you are such a zombie and in search of Bra-a-a-a-a-ins, but again, I am unsurprised.

 

Moron.

 

My real issue, I guess, is the same as a lot of laws....I am sure we already have laws that cover any illegal things these 'flash mobs' might do so why do we need yet another?

Bumping into people, running around yelling, even theft and such...I am sure the assault laws and disturbing the peace laws, and theft laws, and vandalism laws and probably a dozen other laws would cover anything they would really be doing wrong.

But, suddenly we need a new law...basically, just because people are annoyed or intimidated by a group of teenagers being formed or don't want them around their upscale business...we get a new law that makes it easier to punish them.

 

There are laws for everything because people are idiots. We shouldn't have to have laws saying we can't kill one another or we can't drive drunk at 230mph through town or beat the crap out of your wife. But, because people lack even the most basic fundamental common sense, we have to have a billion laws telling us everything. Blame society...they dictate through stupidity the abundance of laws we have to contend with.

 

Good point Stu.

I would also have to wonder how many people (if any) have been sentenced to 3 years in prison (soon to be up to six) for "flash mob" activity.

 

The word "violent" is critical:

http://www3.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=2&RecNum=11194

Say you want a five-finger discount on some cool chit at the mall. Text your buds and organize a flash mob. You don't even have to tell the others what your real purpose is. Just ask 'em all to show up and when the chaos begins, easy-peasy.

You could be caught that way, by searching your cell-phone records, but code-words are easy to create and are difficult to prove in court.

This how-to brought to you by flash mob members who thought everyone was supposed to go naked. I mean really, you could have warned me...I mean them.