Mitch McConnell: “There’s somebody I’ve heard about named Brett Kimberlin”
The link goes to an interview with Senator McConnell in advance of a speech he planned to make that would mention Brett Kimberlin. The second you see video of his speech, I want to know about it:
Sen. McConnell drew special attention to allegations that certain left-wing activists have been SWATting their political enemies. “I know you’ve been right on top of that story,” he said of Breitbart News. “I think those reports are incredibly disturbing and need to be fully investigated, and I hope we can get somebody in the majority position of the House to take a look at it. There’s somebody I’ve heard about named Brett Kimberlin, who is a left-wing terrorist that I know many people feel may be behind the SWATting. That’s strictly illegal, and should be investigated.”
“They are trying to shut up their critics,” McConnell said. “I want to stiffen the spines of those who are out there. Do not be afraid of this crowd. Don’t let them scare you. Every American has a right to organize, to speak, to contribute to causes they believe in. The best way to stop them would be to defeat them in the election this November.”
Wrong.
The best way to stop people who try to stamp out free speech with illegal tactics is to send them to prison. It’s not a partisan issue. It’s a free speech issue — and as to the SWATting, it’s a crime issue.
Still, while I disapprove of any attempt to turn this into a partisan issue, I guess I recognize that this is what politicians do. And, in any event, I am very pleased to feel that Senator McConnell at least understands the threat to free speech, and has my back.
I wish the Democrats felt the same way. I really do. There is no reason that the letter signed by 85 House Republicans had to be signed only by House Republicans. There have to be House and Senate Democrats who oppose the Brett Kimberlin brand of thuggery.
P.S. I don’t think Brett Kimberlin’s funders have been adequately questioned. The obvious Big Media angle to this story — one that does not involve convolution or getting in the weeds — is simple: why is a convicted bomber and perjurer getting money from the Tides Foundation, Barbra Streisand, etc.?
Will they commit never to fund this man’s organizations again? If not, why not?
We need a Much Bigger Spotlight on this issue.
DING.
Patterico (feda6b) — 6/15/2012 @ 9:33 pmRacist
JD (318f81) — 6/15/2012 @ 9:43 pmI think it’s great that Mitch McConnell knows who Brett is. I also read that Sarah Palin does too.
I know there is a lot still to come in this story, but I am very pleased with the coverage so far. I never imagined it would have gotten as big as it has.
Noodles (3681c4) — 6/15/2012 @ 9:44 pm“We need a Much Bigger Spotlight on this issue.”
I agree. Isn’t this the sort of stuff 60 Minutes was designed for?
crosspatch (6adcc9) — 6/15/2012 @ 9:52 pmIn other words, while it might be hard to boil this issue down into a 2 minute blurb in a 20 minute news broadcast, it could certainly be done in, say, 30 minutes or even a whole 60 minute special edition.
crosspatch (6adcc9) — 6/15/2012 @ 9:54 pmGovernor Sarah Palin keynote at Right Online 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgeWjVjiKhA
I’m listening now, I can let you know where the Kimberlin part comes up later.
Noodles (3681c4) — 6/15/2012 @ 10:04 pmThe Good Minority Leader could never advocate imprisonment for someone who takes a view adverse to his (no matter how much violence may be involved), for that would tend to upset the comity.
“Those are admirable sentiments, Senator; but just what in Hell do you intend to do?”
AD-RtR/OS! (2bb434) — 6/15/2012 @ 10:34 pm32:30 in the video @ #6 Sarah talks about #StopRush
@ Around 33:30 Sarah talks about #BrettKimberlin
Noodles (3681c4) — 6/15/2012 @ 10:42 pmAbout 5:00 in on this video Michelle Malkin talks about Kimberlin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4y8A_R9Qw8
Noodles (3681c4) — 6/15/2012 @ 10:51 pmSen. McConnell’s speech was today at AEI and the video is here. Sen. McConnell addressed the Obama Administration’s involvement in corporate and public harassment, targeting the Tea Party and tax exempt groups, and similar actions designed to limit opposing views (at 16:00).
McConnell discussed the internet, Breitbart, and SWATting (at 21:00) but I didn’t hear any mention of Kimberlin. Perhaps he mentioned Kimberlin in the pre-speech Breitbart.com interview and not in the speech today.
McConnell also said that SWATting and similar tactics are reprehensible and designed to silence critics, but he differentiates them from government-facilitated or led harassment (at 23:00). He viewed government limits on free speech as more dangerous, especially that Axelrod and Obama advocate amending the First Amendment in a second Obama term.
Finally, Sen. McConnell said conservatives shouldn’t compromise on the First Amendment (at 39:00); and, in response to a question by Grover Norquist, McConnell discussed his disappointment that President Bush signed McCain-Feingold even though the Senate had enough votes to sustain a veto (at 49:00).
DRJ (a83b8b) — 6/15/2012 @ 11:08 pmMitch McConnell mentioned BK by name in a Big Hwood interview. It’s interesting that he omitted this from his actual speech.
Dana (4eca6e) — 6/15/2012 @ 11:13 pmEvery American has a right to organize, to speak, to contribute to causes they believe in.
you can only contribute up to $199 before you get your name and address put into a fascist state-sponsored database where you can be tracked down by the Brett Kimberlins of the world thanks to Meghan’s coward daddy
happyfeet (3c92a1) — 6/15/2012 @ 11:33 pmAlso at the AEI link, McConnell was asked in the Q&A that followed his speech (at 47:00) about free speech abuses by partnerships between government and outside groups, “particularly on the left.” The questioner didn’t mention Aaron by name but his question about a blogger silenced by a restraining order in a Maryland court clearly referred to Aaron’s case.
DRJ (a83b8b) — 6/15/2012 @ 11:41 pm‘Still, while I disapprove of any attempt to turn this into a partisan issue, I guess I recognize that this is what politicians do. And, in any event, I am very pleased to feel that Senator McConnell at least understands the threat to free speech, and has my back.
I wish the Democrats felt the same way.’
You’re contradicting yourself. And that won’t stop until you quit pretending this issue is non-partisan. It’s not. The left doesn’t define speech as the right does. That won’t change. So, go with the flow and listen to Senator McConnnell. Defeat the f-kers at the ballot box — and imprison the criminals. Problem solved.
Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) (bf862d) — 6/16/2012 @ 12:27 am“P.S. I don’t think Brett Kimberlin’s funders have been adequately questioned. The obvious Big Media angle to this story — one that does not involve convolution or getting in the weeds — is simple: why is a convicted bomber and perjurer getting money from the Tides Foundation, Barbra Streisand, etc.?”
Re Streisand— I would look closely at Marge Tabankin– A big Obama bundler who runs the Streisand foundation
Tides Money is from the Threshold Connection of Harriet Crosby, Brett’s aunt and is the only consistent source the last 6 years. I feel bad going over an old lady, but as a vocal VR member, she’s complicit.
And yes… money is the root of all of this evil.
Kimberlin went after Seth Allen because Seth was hurting his business by putting his putting the truth online for all to discover and by contacting Lori Grace…pages 15-25 of the Kimberlin/Allen transcript are very revealing and worth reading again.
Frankly, I question whether law enforcement will ever do this right, so making sure funders of JTMP/VR are aware of who they are paying may be the more probable justice.
Auntie Fraud (2f38aa) — 6/16/2012 @ 12:30 amTruth is, the democrats really aren’t doing a whole lot to help.
And the Republicans are doing something to help.
But freedom of speech shouldn’t be a partisan issue… and several lefties have spoken out in the right way.
Anyway, I could live with beating democrats at the ballot box AND putting the criminals in prison, as Donald says.
Dustin (330eed) — 6/16/2012 @ 12:48 am14. I’m with Rico here, the GOP is only getting a spine with the penis pump of white heat of attention to this subject.
Only a pogrom will truly put their house in order.
gary gulrud (1043ec) — 6/16/2012 @ 5:01 amThis is a nuanced story that would be difficult to cover fairly in a short segment, and is it really fair to characterize Kimberlin solely as a “convicted bomber an perjurer?” The Tides Foundation supports many diverse, worthy projects and you can’t expect Babs to be intimately knowledgeable about all of them and oops! somebody interrupted the president, gotta spend all our resources finding exactly how big a Tea Party racist he is. BRB.
Pious Agnostic (ee2c24) — 6/16/2012 @ 5:16 amThe left doesn’t define speech as the right does.
In general, I would say this is absolutely true.
While the left *believe* themselves to be paragons of free speech for all and espouse that line endlessly, their actions belie them each and every time they come out shrieking when the right discovers its collective spine and expresses any outrage, judgement, criticism and rebuttal to any pet of the left (i.e. anything under Obama’s WH). And the left’s responding attacks are far worse – nee, even criminal – when there is clear, sound logic and historical fact behind the rejection of the left’s actions/claims (see: BK).
In this case, I believe the claim that it is a non-partisan issue is being made because at any time someone could file a frivolous lawsuit and make claims that criticism is hurting them, and/or is uncalled for, and/or is unjust while using using the courts as a weapon to stifle expression. And, if that doorway remains open for the left to do that with the right, it can indeed be done in reverse. Both sides of the aisle are potential victims. But, as we’ve seen in Patterico’s and others’ coverage of the story, both sides have already been attacked!
However, in regard to the quoted comment above, the difference is the right is typically too well mannered and self-constrained to stoop to that level. We value the law, we respect others’ right to freely express themselves, we hold in high regard our court system and don’t seek to use it to manipulatively silence our opponents, and we understand perhaps more than the left (or recognize) the immense sacrifices that people throughout history have made so that we can freely express ourselves. And because of that, we guard it fiercely – for everyone.
Moreover, we are simply better behaved.
Dana (4eca6e) — 6/16/2012 @ 9:18 amI should amend this:
Dana (4eca6e) — 6/16/2012 @ 9:32 amPatrick, this has been a partisan issue since the lefties started giving Kimberlin money. I’m not surprised that no Democrats are supporting the complaints about his actions.
“The left doesn’t define speech as the right does.”
Too true.
Mike_K (326cba) — 6/16/2012 @ 9:40 amAfter the elections in November, even if, as it now appears, the Rs sweep everything, Mitt will be in the WH, and the R’s will be in control of both houses, the political acrimony is going to get worse, not better. Remember the way they treated Bush, starting in 2002, all the way to the end of his second term? That’s the same treatment Mitt’s going to get.
G Joubert (6ba412) — 6/16/2012 @ 9:56 amI think Patterico is right that this should be a non-partisan issue and it easily could be. Unfortunately, most of the media/left refuse to accept that and thus what should be a non-partisan issue has turned into a partisan issue.
DRJ (a83b8b) — 6/16/2012 @ 10:16 amG. Joubert I think that strategy is tired and more importantly tiiresome. It’s losing effectiveness. it takes so much propping up.
Sarahw (b0e533) — 6/16/2012 @ 10:19 amFree speech is a partisan issue. The left simply does not believe anyone who disagrees with them should be allowed to speak.
Why are there speech restrictions at universities? It’s not the right pushing them, it’s the left. Who keeps trying to silence talk radio? Who thinks giving people organized for purposes of profit the right to publicly speak out in their own interests is evil?
So long as you insist that the left must be involved in solving this, you will get no where — because they will block any attempt to reign in their thugs. Yes, there are a handful who object to the thugs — and you’ll find they’re ejected from the left and made enemies of the left as quickly as you can blink.
Look at Brandon Darby — exposed a violent plot, and instead of thanking him, they’ve turned on him and consider him lower than scum.
Rob Crawford (d8dade) — 6/16/2012 @ 8:11 pmBecause he serves their purposes.
These are people who have had a nearly thirty year love affair with a cop-killer. Who are rehabilitating Ted Kacinski from a mad bomber to a Green hero. Who — as I said above — demonize Brandon Darby for stopping a plot to murder people at the 2008 RNC.
Rob Crawford (d8dade) — 6/16/2012 @ 8:25 pmThis is absolutely a partisan issue. Mumbles McConnell is right (that hurt to say that)- the only solution is to vote out Obama.
I love pink glitter unicorns – I mean I really love them and I think they should exist. But they don’t. Neither does real respect for the First Amendment exist in the mind of a true indoctrinated Leftist. Power & control – over other people – that’s what motivates them. That’s their raison d’etre – to have government in control of every facet of our lives – it’s a religion to them – with a priestood of government bureaucrats and a messiah – O himself.
Look at the Bashir video that JD posted (it’s at American Thinker too) – it’s Leftist porn – showing Romney’s campaign bus rolling through the countryside – then blowing up in a fireball – several shots of explosions in fact. What conservative journalist would do that? More importantly, what would be the reaction if one did – they’d be fired, condemned, ostracized. Bashir will be praised.
Look at the war on conservatives waged by the IRS, re Tea Party non-profit status:
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2012/06/irs_conflict_with_tea_party_and_gop_house_members_continues.html
Turn it around – would a Romney administration do the same to liberal political groups – nope.
These people are dead serious. And if Romney does indeed win (which unfortunately I doubt, because I’m sure Axelrod et al are planning a bitch of an October surprise), then the press will be non-stop accusing Romney’s folks of Mormon bias against Muslims, of racism, of favoring banks over the 99%, on & on & on. They are NOT going to scurry away, chastened. That’s just wishful thinking.
Does our AG have any respect for the law? Seriously? How about Napolitano? How’d it go for you, Patterico, talking to the FBI about the horrible SWATting incident etc? Any progress? Didn’t think so.
I remember watching the aftermath of the Giffords/Roll et al shootings on Fox all day …. I saw Mueller’s press conference …. and I was sickened – sickened. He bought into the “extreme hate speech was the cause of the shooter’s actions” narrative helpfully provided by the media. No, he didn’t say it outright like that – but he didn’t even attempt to tamp down the speculation. I got a sinking feeling that very day – oh no. We are really in deep shit. BTW, where’s US Atty Patrick Fitzgerald going? New Head of the FBI? Or is he waiting to see whether Holder will last? Patrick was quite effective in shutting up Blago & Rezko (who got a much longer prison sentence than anticipated), and Frawley. There there are the three pesky deaths of men close to Rezko just in the last year or so ….. Too bad we can’t hear from Rezko exactly what he got from – and what he gave to – billionaire Nadhmi Auchi, Saddam Hussein’s arms dealer. And his ties to Broadway Bank & Obama. What a tangled web we weave ….
My point – THEY. DON’T. CARE. They don’t care about the “rule of law” or the Constitution or honor or integrity. Period. Think about it – what if there’s massive voter fraud in November – do you honestly think Holder will do a damn thing about it? That’s what people don’t get – it will be TOO LATE – we have to win by 10 points, and allow 5 for fraud. At least. It has to be an overwhelming victory, like we had in Wisconsin. And if not – better pray that Romney doesn’t wuss out like Norm Coleman did.
Look how O has been exercising power by refusing to uphold the law – DOMA, immigration laws – obviously even more so with his latest announcement. And the DOJ bullying & threatening states that pass Voter ID laws. They have to have dead people & illegals voting – they need every vote. Well-intentioned people – even a few liberals – really think totalitarianism can’t happen here. Well, it rarely happens in one fell swoop – we’re the proverbial frog in the warm pot of water. Once it starts boiling, it will be too late to jump.
And note how Israel was left out of a Global Counterterrorism conference (affiliated with the corrupt Jew-hating UN) in Istanbul – attended by SoS Clinton, and rep’s from Germany, China, Morocco, etc. etc etc. – but Israel. Once more throwing Israel under the bus – which of course emboldens Iran and every other Islamist-theocracy.
This admin. is so blatant – so in-your-face – and too many conservatives still think that Obama & Holder & Brennan & Jarrett & Sunstein & Soros & Auchi still respect the American system of law & a Constitution.
“European-style socialism”, Mittens? No. Soviet-style socialism – really fascism, minus the militarism. Until the AmeriCorps/ObamaCare troops get community organized. That’s what we will have, if O wins in November.
Miranda (ada92d) — 6/16/2012 @ 8:42 pmMitch McConnell has feet of clay.
creeper (f1f686) — 6/17/2012 @ 8:01 am