Lynn v. Sekulow

Focus on the Killers, Not Law-Abiding Citizens

Thursday June 11, 2009

Barry, I certainly want law enforcement officials to have all the tools they need to go after those who use violence to make their point - whether they open fire at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. taking the life of a security guard, or target physicians.  Law enforcement must do all it can to investigate these killers.  But I just can't believe the Department of Homeland Security's approach of sweeping ALL pro-life supporters, or ALL military veterans together will help them identify those who intend to do harm.  The idea that the DHS would define an entire class of people (those who oppose abortion and military veterans) as "right-wing extremists" was wrong when the report was leaked in April.  It is still wrong today.

The fact is law enforcement has a difficult task.  But, putting an entire class of people on a watch list just doesn't make sense.  I'm sure military veterans don't want to be associated with Holocaust Museum shooting suspect, James Von Brunn, a World War II veteran who reportedly has ties to white supremacists and whose website spews anti-Semitic hate.  Just as non-violent pro-life supporters don't want to be attached to Scott Roeder, who is charged with murdering Dr. Tiller.  Yes, investigators should investigate.  Are Roeder's claims of more violence real?  Should Von Brunn's background been a signal to authorities? 

As I stated in my earlier post on the DHS report, there are extremists who are dangerous and the federal government should do all it can to protect us from those who break the law and commit violent and deadly crimes.  But, let's not resort to sweeping characterizations that put law-abiding citizens into the same category as these violent offenders.

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Comments
Rich
June 15, 2009 9:27 PM

I am certainly against the government casually classifying any overly broad group of people as terrorists, drug users or thieves, etc. It is generally very dangerous territory to start ascribing behaviors to people just because they belong to a general political group. That all changes once you have joined a very narrow group with a history of violent behaviors.

If you belong to Operation Rescue, you have joined a terrorist group and membership alone should be enough to allow a judge to issue a warrant for wire-tapping, computer seizure and ongoing surveillance. The same can be said about someone who has joined Earth Liberation Front, the extremist environmental group best know for arsonist attacks. Both groups are terrorist groups known to engage in violence and intimidation. Any member is fair game for investigation.

Cara Floyd
June 16, 2009 1:12 PM

Posterity citizens

Lowell
June 18, 2009 12:15 PM

Posterity refers to actual, living outside the womb, human beings. If you want to include embryos in that definition, you step into the ridiculous bizarro land where you'll have to start naming the miscarriages and fertilized eggs which fail to implant. I think it's only a matter of time before you go Eric Rudolph on us. With the hate your screeds reflect, I hope you're already on a watch list.

Laura
June 19, 2009 2:15 AM

Hi Boris,

Haven't been on in a while (don't ask what has happened to me; joking; sort of), but there was a young college student who went undercover to Planned Parenthood, and she asked them what happens when a child survives an abortion & is born alive? Their reply was that, "Oh, then we just strangle them." I don't have the time to get into all the details if you don't mind right now; however, I've read so many documented stories of what these people do to live babies no matter what trimester it is it is sickening. (This situation happens a lot). Oh, by the way, DHS has put Regent University on a "terror watch list" when there is absolutely NO Evidence to do such a thing. Moreover, they have been called a "breeding ground for terrorists." DON'T THINK SO. That report from DHS (which I have a copy of & could send it to anyone here if they'd like) stated right out that there is absolutely no evidence for these____? Fill in the blank with whatever you think should apply. I would suggest that they learn something about Pro-life, or Conservative, etc. groups before they release such a report. I think a little research would be a wise thing to do before you label people who make up the majority of citizens in this country. It's just dumb not to. By the way, I've heard all over the Internet that Operation Rescue is a terrorist organization. I'm not saying that they're not, but I've yet to here one single case where they have done something that comes under terrorism. If those things above (publishing names, addresses etc. on the Internet) are true, then one must agree that nearly every "radical" Gay special interest PAC, are terrorists also. You won't hear it on the news, but they have been causing riots in several parts of the country; especially after Prop 8 was passed in CA. They have also assaulted quite a few people, destroyed their businesses etc. They even do on daytime talk shows and make outright threats against this group or that group. However, NO One ever gets arrested, and they are never labeled with the term "terrorist." If you'd like to read the report that was put out, I'll send it to you. It's ten pages long, but I'm sure anyone would not get bored reading it.

Boris
June 19, 2009 7:22 PM

Laura,
Regent University, better known as Pat Robertson U. is a tier 4 school and the worst law school in the country, probably in the entire world. George Bush's administration hired about 150 flunkies from this awful school. Who cares if they're on some kind of terror watch list? They should be. They're a bunch of right-wing religious fanatics.

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About Lynn v. Sekulow

Lynn v. Sekulow is an ongoing debate blog--a blogalogue--about how big (or little) a role faith and religion should play in American politics and government, featuring the two leading voices of the church/state battle: American Center for Law & Justice Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow and Americans United for Separation of Church and State Executive Director Rev. Barry W. Lynn.

Please note that in discussing political issues, candidates’ positions and political party statements, the Rev. Barry Lynn and Jay Sekulow are offering analysis in their individual capacities as lawyers and commentators. They are not speaking on behalf of Americans United for Separation for Church and State or for the American Center for Law & Justice. Those organizations do not endorse or oppose candidates for public office. Nothing contained in this dialogue should be construed as the positions of the respective organizations.

About the Authors

Rev. Barry W. Lynn
Executive Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a nonprofit educational organization that defends religious liberty by opposing government interference in religion
» Posts by Rev. Barry W. Lynn
Jay Sekulow
Chief Counsel for the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ), a law firm and educational organization focused on protecting religious freedom, American families, and human life.
» Posts by Jay Sekulow
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