BishopAccountability.org
	N.J. Radio Host's Blog Threats Dangerous Hartford Courant June 13, 2009 http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-turner-radio-blog-threats.ar.artjun13,0,4365767.story An attorney for New Jersey radio host and blogger Hal Turner said his client was only practicing his right to free speech when he recently used a blog posting to urge people to "take up arms" against two Connecticut legislators and a state ethics official. But it's not so benign as simply a free-speech issue. We're glad that Mr. Turner, described by anti-racism groups as a white supremacist and anti-Semite, was charged in Connecticut with inciting injury to person or property, a felony. Turner had taken umbrage at a bill introduced earlier this year — and since withdrawn — that would have changed the way the Roman Catholic Church is governed, giving more authority to lay members. The controversy was rekindled recently when state ethics officials decided to investigate whether church officials violated lobbying laws by organizing a rally at the state Capitol to protest the measure. Earlier this month, the Turner blog included a post that promised to release the home addresses of state Rep. Michael Lawlor and state Sen. Andrew McDonald — sponsors of the withdrawn bill — and Thomas Jones of the State Ethics Office. It went on to say, "It is our intent to foment direct action against these individuals personally. These beastly government officials should be made an example of as a warning to others in government: Obey the Constitution or die." "Or die?" There's no doubt what he meant by those words. The post continued: "If any state attorney, police department or court thinks they're going to get uppity with us about this, I suspect we have enough bullets to put them down, too." Turner defends his passionate beliefs not with a copy of the Constitution, but with the promise of "bullets." That would be wrong at any time, but especially now, when hate speech, mostly from the far right, and incitements to violence are so prevalent. Guns are being purchased at a record rate. Assassination threats against the president are said to be at an all-time high. And people are actually dying in this vitriolic atmosphere of hate — perhaps because of it. Wichita abortion doctor George Tiller and U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum security officer Stephen Tyrone Johns, both gunned down, are only the most recent victims. Others have been targeted by hatemongers. People like Turner must be taken at their word. He surrendered to Capitol Police in Hartford on Thursday and posted $25,000 bail. He is to appear in court June 22. He belongs in jail.
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