Atlanta Newspaper Editor Suggests Assassinating Obama to "Preserve Israel's Existence"

[kpete]

FRI JAN 20, 2012 AT 11:23 AM PST
Atlanta Newspaper Editor Suggests Assassinating Obama to "Preserve Israel's Existence"
byThe TroubadourFollow

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/284979-ajt.html

Three, give the go-ahead for U.S.-based Mossad agents to take out a president deemed unfriendly to Israel in order for the current vice president to take his place, and forcefully dictate that the United States' policy includes its helping the Jewish state obliterate its enemies.

Yes, you read "three" correctly. Order a hit on a president in order to preserve Israel's existence. Think about it. If I have thought of this Tom Clancy-type scenario, don't you think that this almost unfathomable idea has been discussed in Israel's most inner circles?

Another way of putting "three" in perspective goes something like this: How far would you go to save a nation comprised of seven million lives...Jews, Christians and Arabs alike?

You have got to believe, like I do, that all options are on the table.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/01/20/1056701/-Atlanta-Newspaper-Editor-Suggests-Assassinating-Obama-to-Preserve-Israels-Existence?via=siderec

[Tx4obama]

1. I hope he gets arrested! n/t

[vminfla]

3. I don't think you can get arrested for free speech

And, he speculated an option that he would want someone else to consider. Threat by proxy is not an offense. Silly article, no doubt, but well within First Amendment protections.

[Hugabear]

6. Advocating assassination is not a crime?

Pretty sure the Secret Service has arrested people for exactly that.

[vminfla]

14. You can get arrested for threatening someone

but you can't get arrested for suggesting to a second party that they consider an option to do something to a third party.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

25. Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?

What shall we do to complete the social revolution of 1959?

Check the source on those two statements, and you'll see why there are limitations to free speech beyond the ever-popular fire-in-a-crowded-theater.

[Blue_Tires]

9. Advocating violence is not protected speech

Even the "I really hope some person or persons unknown put a bullet in Mr. XYZ."

Granted, with the rise of shock RW radio in the 90s, people have more leeway and get away with a lot more than they used to

[Ecumenist]

11. Yes, you can. For suggesting assassination of the president, OH YES YOU CAN!

[Aerows]

16. And you SHOULD!

Goodness knows I was no fan of Bush but I certainly never wanted him to be assassinated. It really shocks and disconcerts me that people think they can just blithely suggest murdering elected officials. It's frightening that we are so politically divided that there are some wingnuts out there that think that's acceptable discussion.

[Ecumenist]

17. I don't think it hurts that he's a black mand not seen as a full human being by some.

[Aerows]

20. I'm sure that is part of it

But let's face it, there are a lot of these kinds of wing nut types that think nobody that isn't hard right is fully human. We've all heard people like Beck talking about hunting liberals with guns, etc. The right has worked very hard to dehumanize anyone to the left of Rush Limbaugh.

[Ecumenist]

19. I have to admit that it wouldn't have hurt my feelings is he had a heart attack or drank

himself to death, I never wanted someone to kill him. These are the same types that were constantly saying that we needed to respect the president but they are openly calling for assassination and murder?

[Aerows]

24. I don't know..

President Cheney? Dear God, that would have been an even worse nightmare, though arguably he WAS the presidency behind President Bush.

In any case, it is truly upsetting this talk of violence against public officials, particularly in the wake of what happened to Gabrielle Giffords. That guy was a certified lunatic, yes, but we don't need people fomenting additional lunatic ideas for the ones we undoubtedly have.

[sabrina 1]

21. What if he was a Muslim making this suggestion?

Do you think his 'free speech' would save him from arrest? I mean Al Awlaki was assassinated for speech, preaching hatred against the US, possibly inciting others to violence. At least that was the only defense of that assassination anyone was able to produce as there were no charges against him, and no evidence he was engaged in any physical attacks on the US.

I think this guy needs a visit from the authorities frankly.

[vminfla]

29. This is more abstract

He did not advocate violence. He advocated a set of conditions that a third party may consider. Granted, stupid. But not a crime.

[sabrina 1]

30. It's more than Awlaki did.

Far as I know he was not suggesting the assassination of the president. Sorry, but someone who is even thinking this way, let alone publishing his violent thoughts, needs to be taken in for questioning at least and then monitored wrt who his friends are.

[vminfla]

37. Awlaki was sharpening knives with terrorists

Are you serious? Awlaki was killed whilst he was consorting with terrorists in a miltary operation. His rhetoric was more than sill what-if scenarios, but openly promoting the death of civilians.

[sabrina 1]

38. Do you have a link to the charges because I have not been able to find

any information on what he was supposed to have done. The WH Press Secretary was unable to answer that question also. There were no charges against him. If he was actually involved in criminal acts, other than ranting on the internet, and it seems hardly anyone in the entire ME even knew he was so I'm not sure how effective his rantings were, what were they?

[vminfla]

39. Al-Awlaki was under Yemeni indictment, He just happened to be killed with his terrorist bunk mates

The lesson there is not one of free speech, but one of you should not hide out with terrorists.

[sabrina 1]

40. Yemeni indictment? That is the first I have heard of that. Again, do you have a link to

this information. If he was under indictment in Yemen, what was it for? What were the charges? And why did the US not charge him? They charged OBL for the Embassy bombings, not 9/11, so at least there was a record that he was wanted. But for Al Awlaki I have been unable to find any charges filed against him, anywhere.

[oberliner]

41. Al Awlaki charged with plotting and incitement to murder foreigners (Yemen News Agency Nov 2, 2010)

SANA'A, Nov. 02 (Saba) - Yemen charged on Tuesday during a trial in absentia American-Yemeni Islamic cleric Anwar al-Awlaki with plotting and incitement to murder foreigners, including a French expert who was killed early last month in Sana'a.

http://www.sabanews.net/en/news227853.htm

[sabrina 1]

44. That article doesn't make sense. He was not a Yemeni national, he was a US citizen.

But if the corrupt Yemeni government claimed he was a criminal, he was right there in their country and they could have arrested him. The claim they would not hand him over because was a Yemeni national makes no sense, unless it was the Yemeni government once again lying to their own people.

The Yemeni government, as revealed in the Wikileaks cables has a habit of lying btw. Eg, they gave the US permission to use drone strikes within Yemen's borders, but told the US that they would pretend to the people of Yemen that they had done so themselves, and proceded to tell that lie to their own people.

But, even if true, which frankly I would want to see a lot more evidence for considering the lies the Yemeni government is famous for telling, that has nothing to do with the US.

What evidence did they have regarding his involvement with terror? As far as his associations with 9/11 hi-jackers, that was known at the time. Not only was it known, but he was invited by the Bush admin to the Pentagon to discuss how he could help mend bridges with the Muslim world. He himself was outspoken against the 9/11 attacks.

[oberliner]

45. He was a dual US-Yemeni citizen

From The Guardian:

A missile fired from an American drone has struck and killed a radical US-born Islamic cleric in Yemen, bringing an end to a controversial, two-year manhunt but reigniting questions over the targeting of a US citizen on foreign soil.

Anwar al-Awlaki, a dual US-Yemeni citizen, has been one of America's top targets in its fight against al-Qaida. His firebrand rhetoric had become renowned on jihadi websites and is thought to have inspired many more followers. With a blog, a Facebook page and numerous YouTube videos of his sermons, he had increasingly been regarded by the US as one of the most dangerous al-Qaida leaders.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/30/anwar-al-awlaki-killed-yemen

[sabrina 1]

46. Mmm, makes sense since his parents were from Yemen. However the pretend refusal of the

corrupt Yemeni government to hand him over 'because he was a Yemeni National' makes no sense IF the US really wanted him handed over. That government has not shown any reluctance to cooperate with the US even to the point of lying to their own people.

We do not seem to want to try 'terrorists' in this country, in open trials, the way Clinton did after the 1993 WTC bombing. Those trials were held in open court in NYC and the evidence was extensive and openly presented so that no one had any doubts in the end, (seven years of trials) that the people charged were guilty. Blind Sheik Rahman was sentenced to life in prison, and remains there today, not in Guantanamo. So we can do things right. I don't know why now, we seem to have lost that ability.

[vminfla]

50. Awlaiki was reduced to a stain on the wall

If you wanted him to be tried in a US court for his crime, take it up with the Yemeni government. Then again, I am quite frankly delighted that the casualty count was reduced to a houseful of terrorist and not Yemeni police forces who would have walked into a den of armed serpents if they attempted apprehension.

[onehandle]

2. More of a niche periodical than a newspaper.

We have one newspaper there and it sucks, but I doubt they would suggest this.

[RebelOne]

26. I live in the Atlanta area and have never heard of this newspaper.

Maybe it because it is the Jewish Times and I am not Jewish.

[JoePhilly]

4. Is it wrong for me to hope that he gets a very unpleasant cavity search?

Wait ... better ...

Detain him on suspicion of threat to the President ... and then ... examine every minute of his life with a microscope, just to make sure that he is not actively involved in supporting an assignation attempt like the one he calls for.

Question everyone he's every known ... just to make sure that they are not the Mossad agents that he speaks of and calls to action.

Check his tax returns for anything and everything ... make sure he is not funding any such effort.

[Hugabear]

5. So they want to assassinate Obama, and "obliterate" Israel's enemies...

But we're supposed to be on the verge of war with Iran because of their threatening statements and alleged nuclear bomb program (while we already know Israel has the bomb).

[RZM]

28. Except this is one idiot from the Atlanta metro area who runs an regional paper

Hardly comparable to the statements or behavior of a government that controls a sovereign state with 75 million citizens, the 26th largest economy in the world, military and intelligence apparatuses, and roughly 10 percent of the world's proven oil reserves.

I put a lot more stock in what the Iranian government says and does than some editor from a small Atlanta paper.

[oberliner]

42. Who is "they"?

This was written by one non-Israeli crackpot.

[LeftishBrit]

48. This wasn't suggested by Israel; it was suggested by an Atlanta lunatic

[Blue_Tires]

7. He's just trying to get some mouse clicks by being shocking

And he's already shitting his pants and backing off the statement...

And FWIW, if Mr. Adler feels that strongly about defending fair Israel, I suggest he move there permanently and join the IDF...

[hifiguy]

22. +1

And he can take Moldy Joe Lieberman with him.

[Ecumenist]

8. WTF??!! Okay, these people need to be arrested! These people are becoming more

and more bold. He's the president, GOOD, BAD OR INDIFFERENT, of YOUR m*therfcuking country, you idiot! What you're suggesting is a COUP by Israel!

[cottage10]

13. Bingo! It is nothing less than treason

Too many people are acting like they are Israelis and not Americans. It should be called what it is--unAmerican and treasonous to advocate damaging the U.S. for the "benefit" of Israel.

[Ecumenist]

18. Welcome to Du, Cottage!!

Right glad tameetcha!!

[bigtree]

10. already backpedaled

http://www.jta.org/news/article/2012/01/20/3091282/atlanta-jewish-times-apologizes-for-obama-assassination-scenario

[mfcorey1]

12. The secret service needs to step up its coverage of the President because as those on the

right become more and more desperate, they get bolder with their threats. The scary part is that so many people are just trying to pass it off as right to free speech.

[Aerows]

15. What kind of idiot thinks that's a reasonable thing to say?

Seriously.

Oh well, he got attention, all right. I'd imagine the Secret Service is giving him plenty of it (and rightfully so!).

[Initech]

23. WTF!!! If this had happened under Bush...

That reporter would have received a one- way ticket to Guantanamo do not pass go. Do not collect $200.

[Ikonoklast]

27. I would expect the response from this country would obliterate Israel from the map.

The people who are American citizens but put Israel (or any other nation) before the welfare of this country need to re-think where their loyalties lie.

[exboyfil]

36. We would not even need to do that

We would just declare open season on Israel and watch what happens.

I totally agree with your sentiment about Israel. Every few years the Pollard discussion comes up. One of the few things that Bush did right was leaving his behind in prison where it belongs right next to the other spies and traitors (actually I think he should have been hanging from a gallows but I will take life).

I don't know if the rumors about Obama considering letting Pollard free are true, but, if they are true, I will never vote for him under any circumstances.

You are either a US citizen or an Israel citizen. You cannot serve two masters. If you allegiance is not to the U.S., then go to where your allegiance is (and don't bother to absentee vote either). I feel the same about any individual with divided loyalties from any country whether it is Israel, Mexico, etc.

[Quantess]

31. um.... WHAT!?!

[DeathToTheOil]

32. Enjoy your Secret Service interview

Asshole!

[Stinky The Clown]

33. Moron: thy name is Editor

[DeathToTheOil]

34. Editor Andrew B. Adler, to be exact

Maybe you should give him a phone call (and JUST A PHONE CALL)!

[Mimosa]

35. The assassinations of the 1960s tore apart this nation.

I read about Adler just a while ago on the Atlanta Journal site:

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/atlanta-jewish-times-publisher-1310523.html

I'm an Atlantan and I am deeply ashamed any American could suggest the horrible crime of assassination. IMO, Adler's loyalty appears to be to Israel. He should consider relocating.

Interestingly, when Pat Robertson advocated the assassination of Hugo Chavez by US secret ops, he made it (possibly) untenable.

[T S Justly]

43. Sounds like the Bush-Obama Doctrine, in another interpretation. K&R (nt)

[LeftishBrit]

47. This is sheer lunacy

If someone has written something like that about Bush, they'd already be in major trouble.

For that matter, how assassinating the American president would 'preserve the existence of Israel' is beyond me.

[Prophet 451]

49. IIRC, that's treason

I'm British and I don't know the details of US law regarding treason but if that's not it, there is no such crime.

[jmowreader]

51. You might want to talk to Richard Humphreys about what will get you arrested

A Muslim, a Baptist, and a Catholic walk into a bar.

The Catholic says, "I heard President Bush is giving a speech here this week. I wonder if he'll be using an interpreter."

The Baptist says, "Yeah, to translate it into English."

They have a few more drinks and the Baptist says, "I wonder if they'll show it on a wide screen television. They call him the 'Big Picture President' you know."

The Catholic answers, "I doubt it. His 'big picture' could fit on the head of a pin."

After few more drinks, the Baptist comments, "Maybe someone should shove that pin up his ass."

The Catholic responds, "He'd squeal louder if they shoved a jalapeno pepper up his ass."

The Baptist says, "Yeah, a jalapeno. Talk about a Burning Bush!"

With that, an FBI agent arrests the Catholic and the Baptist for threatening bodily harm to the Sole Commander in Chief of the United States, and takes them both into custody.

The bartender looks at the Muslim and says, "Wow! Can you believe that?"

The Muslim replies, "That's nothing. John Poindexter was convicted of lying to Congress, obstruction of justice, and destroying Federal evidence about the criminal conspiracy to sell arms to Iran, and Bush just appointed him Director of the Pentagon's Total Information Awareness Office."

37 months in prison for threatening the president. All over this joke.