I'm a bit surprised there hasn't been a discussion on this topic here before this. If by any chance there WAS and I missed it, I apologize! Anyway, when I heard about this on TV I couldn't quite believe it; I knew something like this would get the attention of the Secret Service and that even if whoever put it there was "only joking", these things are taken QUITE seriously these days! You can read it here for yourself:
The U.S. Secret Service is investigating an online survey that asked whether people thought President Barack Obama should be assassinated, officials said Monday.
The poll, posted Saturday on Facebook, was taken off the popular social networking site quickly after company officials were alerted to its existence. But, like any threat against the president, Secret Service agents are taking no chances.
"We are aware of it and we will take the appropriate investigative steps," said Darrin Blackford, a Secret Service spokesman. "We take of these things seriously."
The poll asked respondents "Should Obama be killed?" The choices: No, Maybe, Yes, and Yes if he cuts my health care even if I buy Harry Potter audio books at wholesale prices.
The question was not created by Facebook, but by an independent person using an add-on application that has been suspended from the site.
"The third-party application that enabled an individual user to create the offensive poll was brought to our attention this morning," said Barry Schnitt, Facebook's spokesman for policy.
Because the application was disabled, the responses to the nonscientific polls are not available.
"We're working with the U.S. Secret Service, but they'll need to provide any details of their investigation," Schnitt said.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33060855/ns/technology_and_science-security/
How seriously do YOU think something like this should be taken by the Secret Service and other federal agencies? If and when they find the responsible party or parties, what do you think should be done to them?
Annie
[question posted by anniepa]responses and comments:
Now WHAT freaking idiot put THAT up? I doubt much will come of it anyways, but they will probably at least pay the moron a visit. Tey should haul his stupid agent provaceteur asss in for questioning and maybe scare the crap outta him at least. [xfahctor]
It was a freaking idiot, that's one thing we can be sure of! I hope they do something to whoever it was because this crap isn't funny and it shouldn't be tolerated no matter who's President or what people think of him. Annie [anniepa]
Cripes....what's the world coming to??? I can't stand all this crap that people are doing. You know Annie that I cannot stand Obama; but come on....what kind of idiot would wish someone dead? I think that for a long time now the political scene has gone bonkers....it started with Bush and it's getting worse by the minute....how awful for anyone that is related to him....what if his girls saw that???shocked I personally hope they prosecute to the full extent of the law. This is a crime that cannot be pushed aside. We need to put the brakes on this kind of behavior and attitude. [hornswaggled]
Another AMEN!! Annie [anniepa]
Poor minds, why assasinate him. For God sake that man is a father and a hubby to someone. Well, i know he has received more threat than any other american president. I hope this is not what i think, maybe they hate the color and not really the policy. The developer of that app is a white and that goes a long way to explain somethings. [megaplaza]
None i know why all grea blacks like mandela, emeagwali, muhammed ali, ben carson, bannekker and others have something to say about the color factor that almost deny them their success. Some choose to be color blind, they need see an optician, me i see clearly, there are different colors and am not blind to that. [megaplaza]
From what I've read, it seems the Secret Service is handling this situation perfectly. They don't seem to be calling for anyone's head, or even out to throw anyone in prison just for saying something stupid on a Facebook add on. On the other hand, they are taking it seriously enough to investigate who posted it, and anyone who posted statements threatening the president's life. So far I'm pretty impressed with how the Secret Service has handled the deep divisions in our society right now. They have done well at balancing our rights to self expression and their responsibilities to protect the president. [ParaTed2k]
oops sorry..s/r is doing a good job... [whiteheather39]
I am in the UK at present and most people that I have talked to, while they do not advocate his assassination practically all of them feel that this is what will happen. They also believe that when it does happen it will be someone who is of the same race as Obama - black. I do not want him for president but one has to consider those two beautiful little girls. I want to see him gone either through impeachment, or being voted out of office. [us2owls]
I'm in the UK too and whilst Obama is generally regarded as a positive influence here I'd say that quite few folk are waiting for someone to make an attempt on his life. It's because our perception of the US is that it is (pardon the pun) all black and white with no shades of grey. That is a false assumption, but a prevailing one nevertheless. [p1kef1sh]
I heard about this on TV today and I think its disgusting and the authorites should be involved in tracking who posted this and the person or people involved should be looked into. If anything maybe fined. I have never heard of such balant disregard for the President of our country. This should not or never be allowed to happen in the first place. They don't like our President then maybe they will be happy living in another country. Let them all move far far away. [lelin1123]
They are reportedly trying to find whoever did it and I sure hope they do! Annie [anniepa]
Well, I am sorta torn about this one because, some people are just stupid but, then some are easily influenced by others. I would normally chalk it up to people being stupid and not using any common sense but, this whole health care reform has made so many people lose their minds that something as ignorant as this could send someone unstable person over the edge. [ZephyrSun]
I agree. We all know a stable person would never go out and commit an act of violence because of something they saw online or heard on TV or whatever but what about those who are NOT stable? We also certainly should know there are plenty of them around! Annie [anniepa]
I can actually imagine myself thinking about doing a poll like that just to find out how many real whackos there are out there, but I imagine common sense would interpose itself. But I think it should be investigated. Lash [grandpa_lash]
That's very interesting, Lash... I hadn't even thought of it but it could actually have been put there by someone who isn't necessarily a whacko but who wanted to see what kind of responses he or she would get from those who are. Hmmm... Annie [anniepa]
I saw that issue yesterday morning and I was really shocked. I do not care if it was regarding Obama or any other member of our government it was a dangerous question to ask. Who knows what kind of nut case it could incite to actually do the deed. If was was intended to be a joke (which I do not believe it was) I certainly did not find it funny. I think the FBI should investigate and perhaps punish the person/people responsible under a treason act. IMO if you do not like or agree with any high government official then DO NOT vote for them. You, the people, put them in the job so just vote them out of it do not try to incite assassination. [whiteheather39]
You're right! People who don't like or disagree with this President or anyone else in government at any time can vote and even campaign against them, attend town hall meetings, write letters, go to rallies or tea parties or any other ways they wish to express their disapproval but violence is never the answer. Annie [anniepa]
What is bizarre is that people who are discussing the whole healthcare thing and other policies are all saying 'this is wrong because....' or this is right because...' and saying certain ways, on either side, are immoral.....then someone comes up with such a great solution - since we agree that some of his policies are wrong, lets kill him.....so it doesn't occur to them there may be something just a little bit ethically dodgy about that?!! Whether we agree with him or not, at least he has tried to do something in his life he believes in, and he is a husband and father. Imagine what its like for those little girls knowing their Dad, because of his job, is at risk of being assassinated by some nutter. People are sick. At least half the country think the President is evil at any given time, whatever President it is! The solution really isn't to bump off all the ones we don't like, there wouldn't be any left! [EnglishTeaDuck]
There are some people for whom the only answer is always violence and hate. They don't know any other way. Annie [anniepa]
I saw this one the news and was shocked. Someone is in deep you know what with the secret service. Stupid stupid stupid. EVERY threat against the presidents life has to be taken seriously. This one will too. Someone is going to go to jail. Unless it turns out to be an international user. THen I don't know what hte secret service can do about someone saying it or putting up the survery that is in a foreign country. I wonder if the people who voted will be in trouble too? I imagine if they clicked "yes" than they can exspect a visit from the Feds. Although I don't know if htey can track who voted and how they voted. But the probly can track it. But they sure can track the person that put up the survey. Whoever it is.....is a complete idiot. Note to everyone.....it is against the laws to threaten the presidents life....even if you are joking. The secret service do NOT have a sense of humor about this issue...and they shouldn't. So therefore find something else to be "funny" about unless you want a whole of trouble and jail time thrown your way. [lilwonders456]
Unfortunately, when you have all these internet sites, that allow for anyone to put anything up, it's going to happen. As much as I like this site, the internet is grossly abused, and there should be more restrictions...maybe a minimum age limit. It seems that the youth think they are only joking around when they post absurd comments, they don't seem to realize the consequences of their actions. However, the Obama question could have been from some adult who is totally against Obama. Either way, there should be much more restrictions on the internet. [Sweetchariot]
shockedThis is the first time I am hearing about this. That person when found is going to face some really good charges. He should know that you can not really have a poll about the president. Obama has been a good president so far and I like that he is the first black president. Imagine, what if the terrorists have posted that poll.confused [biman_s]
It's another example of hate and racist organizations trying to get something dissastous started. Some wacko out there is probably just waiting for some support to try and pull it off. I hope they find the SOB and lock him up for 20 or 30 years. Now who, on this board will defend such a dastardly act that was up on Facebook? [iriscot]
Na. Because hate groups usually want to stir things up without getting the blame for it. But with Obama anytime anything is said the hate groups are the first to get blamed for everything. Which allows others do it and let them take the blame. THis was one stupid person that thought they were being funny. Looks like the joke is on him (or her) when the secret service gets a hold of him (or her). [lilwonders456]
I heard about this yesterday and I agree that the secret service needs to look into who this person is and what, if anything, else he's been up to. Any threat to the leader of this country...real or perceived...needs to be taken seriously. Some folks aren't wrapped too tight and then there are those who are just too stupid for words. lol [spalladino]
Well, I strongly agree that we have to be very careful when mentiong 'Very Important Person' on social networking websites, because I believe there must be someone who Watches it, regardless whatever we have written. And about the polls (I don't even want to re-write about the topic...=) ), it is too stupid and doesn't make any sense, at all. What is the point? And what is the aim? I hope there is someone out there who can explain them to me. If this happens every single day, the social networking websites can be blamed and somehow be closed, while the function of it is just about getting in touch with friends. [charlies2805]
Like a lot of other things that are happening these days, anniepa, this was a case of someone taking things too far. So many things I am seeing on the Internet lately completely turn me off. It's gotten to the point that I don't enjoy being here nearly so much as I used to. For me it's not a question of visiting safe sites anymore because you can find inappropriate comments on most every site these days. I think the attacks on the President have gotten completely out of hand. People are showing less and less respect for him. I suppose it only follows since people no longer show any respect for each other. [worldwise1]
Wow, Now that's wild!!! The healthcare thing may not sound that great to some of us, but how dare someone put out a poll out asking if he should be killed! That's really some nerve...I happen to think Obama is a great president, and people shouldn't get mad at him for trying to make decisions to clean up this horrible economy. [Jigilmore]
a poll is so harmless. No reason to be alert Obama is so well. what are they going to investigate..........brrrrr [meluan]
I'm not a fan of Obama, but I don't want him dead!! He's our President, and I hope he's successful in making our country better -- but I don't agree with the way he's going about it. Regardless, I would never ever wish him to be killed. I'm sure the poll was a joke, and I'm sure similar polls existed during the Bush administration, but it still doesn't make it right. [calypsojeep]
I have read all the remarks made to this one,and most are of the same opinion,the secret service is looking into it. first off,anyone actually thinking of committing this kind of act would not advertize the fact,they would know the SS would be looking for them as well as upgrade the security around him. As for one individual voting a president out of office,is basically impossible. I am stopping here,as politics is not my favorite discussion.( I hate all polititions)they are nothing but crooks. [mac1946]
Thanks for stopping by. I agree that someone planning a violent act wouldn't post it online but the worry is about it inciting violence in someone else who isn't very stable. Not very likely either but nothing to take lightly. Annie [anniepa]
With the wackos running around out there in the world, I would be willing to bet that one of them, just might try to knock off Obama, and make a name for his self in the news. While I think polls like this, sometimes lets us know what people are thinking of such a person, it is to easy for some dumwit to try to make it happen. There is always a person that will make up such a poll or remark, I believe it is for attention, and he just might get the attention that he seeks. Of course they do not want you to see the responses, but I can probably know what the top answer would be. I think a lot of people are discussted with how Obama is running the country and his ideas. [bdugas]
I don't see anything wrong with that poll. It's the same as gathering friends as randomly say "that person should die". Take it easily. It's just a poll. On a social network over the internet. I'm sure the Obama administration has more serious threats to deal with daily than the delusionals of virtual no-lifers. [Eisenherz]
My father went on a Washington D.C. trip with the senior class of the high school where he taught. While in a federal building, one of the kids started acting like an idiot in front of a security camera. An agent walked out of the security room and told him he better shape up, at which point the idiot cussed at him. In a second there were three agents on this kid, hand cuffed, searched him, and then dragged him by both arms into the security room, and shut the door, all while my father, the other teachers and the entire senior class stood there dumbfounded. Parents have failed to teach their kids to respect authority. Whether it is a boss at work, a police officer, or even president of the US. Hopefully the SS will nail this idiot to the wall. Oddly, I don't remember this level of criticism when similar threats were leveled against Bush. Makes me wonderful if the interest in the story is more about politics than right and wrong. [andy77e]
I do, which is part of the problem. The left is only concerned about threats against the president, if it happens to be "their guy". When it's someone they don't like, then it's simply young people expressing their opinion, and being involved in the political process. The very fact you either don't know about, or don't remember, the threats against Bush, makes my point. Without a doubt, if Bush had been a Democrat, and leftist, you would have known and heard about every case of threats against Bush. [andy77e]
The person that posted this poll should be investigated fully and put on the terrorism watch list or whatever other lists they have for potentially violent or criminally insane people. It was probably just a case of let's post something that has good "shock value" and rile up half the country but you can't be too careful with people like this. Have you heard about the several different preachers that are praying for Obama to die (just do a google search) and asking their congregations to do the same? There are plenty of sickos out there and I just hope we take them seriously and keep watch over their antics so we can keep the president safe. [bestmommy]
Hi Annie, I think that all of this should be taken very serious. There are always those who would kill the President of the United States of America, no matter who he is, just because of his position as the leader of the world's most powerful nation. He is also democratically elected which is certainly not true in some countries. Unfortunately Obama seems to have more enemies than most, and many people feel that he isn't getting the same respect that a white man would get. I don't know if this is true or not, but certainly many people think so. While I know that the majority of Americans are not racist, it would seem logical to assume that the first black president would have more enemies. As to what should be done to those people, I would leave that to the proper authorities who I'm sure know their job well. Blessings. [Pose123]
I know the whole idea of whether racism is behind any of the hatred towards Obama is a really touchy subject around here. Obviously, nobody wants it even implied that they're a racist, and I can understand that. To me that's one of the worst, most ignorant things a person could be. How can ANYONE think they're superior to other human beings because of race or the color of their skin? However, I don't think it's so much "typical" racism in a small minority of cases. I mean, if we had a black (or biracial, as some feel the need to constantly point out) President but he had a more common, "All-American" sounding name and a more ordinary background there may not be so much hate and distrust or whatever it is that drives these people. There were plenty of people who couldn't stand Bush and plenty that couldn't stand Clinton but it wasn't the same. Their loyalty to their country was never questioned. Annie [anniepa]
Something that I didn't like about this is that they couldn't find the source linkof the poll and that was nor a good thing. It was not a joke at all or even close to being funny. I didn't think that would have been something that would have been polled on facebook of all places. But it lets you know that there are those that are not happy at all with Obama in office. They would do what they can to discredit the man in more ways than one. Since he has come in office they have given him a hard time on trying to change things for the people. Which has been blocked in everyway in more ways than one. Which really shows that the support that he has coming into office is some what running thin. The sad thing is that it's being made public and all in the news. The slightest thing that the president does is discredited from all angles. What is amazing to me is that when others were in office they didn't give them such a hard time. Or is it like other presidents did what there friends wanted them too. I mean is that they problem that they thought he would do what they may have wanted. Now that he is in office he had real issues that he wanted to work on and it's become a problem for those well of that will be left out it those changes are made? Now all of a sudden a poll on one of the post popular social networks post a poll of should he be? That is more than what they should have even allowed. They know it was wrong just like all of the other things that they have done against the president. Where is the support that he needs and right now not getting. [twallace]
That is very serious that should be taken into account. Because that is life of the President. Most especially the President of the United States of America. Those person really have the intention to destabilize the reputation of President Obama...People like them should put to jail, my friend. They have no respect for humanity...This is my opinion with this, my friend...take care [aerous]
Of course the Secret Service should take it seriously, and after doing a full investigation if there's clear and convincing evidence of a legitimate threat against the President the responsible party or parties should be prosecuted to the full extend of the law. [6precious102]
I think it should be taken very seriously, although, I don't have a clue what an appropriate punishment should be. I know you're weren't suppose to make threats on the President, but since Hollywood make a movie about killing George W. Bush, I don't know what is considered legal and illegal anymore. Wait a minute, I forgot, Hollywood is allow to behave badly. It's the rest of us who have to obey the laws of the land. [bestboy19]
I will agree with that. [bestboy19]