[smallpoxgirl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('burtonridr', 'T')hats all it usually takes to get the drivers license, right?
The whole not getting an ID thing is a little weired....

[arretium]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('oowolf', '2') spooks and 2 county deputies "interviewed" me this morning concerning my "freeway blogging" activities. As some of you know I've been arrested twice for putting up anti-bush (and his war criminal gang) signs. It is now a dead certainty that I'm on the Ministry of Homeland Security's "maincore" list. Slated for roundup to the nearest Halliburton concentration camp.
Let me tell you something; the FBI is very much aware of this website. Actually they were very nice guys to talk to. They appeared to be quite aware of the nearness of some calamity and listened quietly while I ranted on--apparently trying to determine if I really am dangerous. I had to promise not to put any more signs up after it was made VERY CLEAR that there would be unpleasant consequences if I did not.
This is the state of this nation folks.

[arretium]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('jbrovont', 'D')isconcerting, although I doubt anyone can really say they're surprised about this. There can be a fine line between exercising your freedom of speech and "inciting a riot," "inducing the comission of a crime," or "encouraging sudicious acts." Dark times we live in that we have to be aware of those lines.
I guess we could just start calling the FBI and asking what is and isn't ok to discuss

[arretium]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dissimulo', 'I')f it happens again, get a lawyer.
There's no way I'm talking to the local Barney Fifes, much less the FBI, without representation. You never know what they might be trying to fit you to when they show up at your door.

[smallpoxgirl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('arretium', 'F')ailure to talk to the FBI can be considered obstruction of justice. The federal gov't makes a regular habit of screwing people over this ambiguous statute all the time.

[mos6507]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('oowolf', 'T')hey knew my house has "bush sucks" painted on the roof--visible from outer space, I suppose. Heinie hates bush too, but probably not enough paint an insult on his roof.

[arretium]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('arretium', 'F')ailure to talk to the FBI can be considered obstruction of justice. The federal gov't makes a regular habit of screwing people over this ambiguous statute all the time.

[Dreamtwister]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', 'N')egative. You still have a right to remain silent. About the only time they get to trump that one is if they pull you in front of a grand jury and give you immunity. Then you've got to talk or face jail for contempt of court. I'd say if you didn't initiate the contact, remaining silent is almost always the preferable initial approach to any law enforcement encounter.

[threadbear]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('oowolf', 'Y')es, it's apparently very irritating to the zombie establishment when an individual dares to advertise personal opinions. How dare them!!!!

[Plantagenet]

The freeway blog is a little behind the times on gas prices.

[Dreamtwister]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Dreamtwister', 'U')nless they decide it's in the interest of "national security", in which case you have the right to remain silent until you can no longer stand the pain of having your fingernails ripped out with pliers.

[Plantagenet]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Dreamtwister', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Plantagenet', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Dreamtwister', 'U')nless they decide it's in the interest of "national security", in which case you have the right to remain silent until you can no longer stand the pain of having your fingernails ripped out with pliers.

[smallpoxgirl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('arretium', 'N')ot exactly. You have the right to remain silent regarding any of your own presumptive criminal wrongdoings. The right to remain silent does not extend to simply answering question from the FBI. Hence, people can be detained and charged with obstruction of justice even though the FBI was only requesting information from the suspect in question.

[vision-master]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('arretium', 'N')ot exactly. You have the right to remain silent regarding any of your own presumptive criminal wrongdoings. The right to remain silent does not extend to simply answering question from the FBI. Hence, people can be detained and charged with obstruction of justice even though the FBI was only requesting information from the suspect in question.

[BigTex]

I haven't read all of the posts in this thread, but it seems reasonable to me for law enforcement to stop by and talk to someone about what they are doing and ask them to stop if it is illegal or potentially illegal.

It sounds to me like the guys were polite and professional.

I suspect if you had asked them to re-schedule the interview so that you could have a lawyer present, they would have worked with you.

In many cases, law enforcement welcomes the addition of a lawyer to the situation, since an individual is often more likely to listen to what his lawyer tells him than what the police tell him.

I really think we ought to take a step back and compare how this went down to how it might have gone down in another country.

It has been my experience that when an individual begins interacting with the government as if the government was some sort of inhuman entity, it makes it much easier for the government to interact with the individual in that manner as well.

If there is an issue to be resolved, the key is to ENGAGE on the most favorable possible terms. That's why you always want to hire a lawyer who is familiar with the law enforcement agencies involved, the prosecutors, the judge, etc.

If you don't have an attorney but are forced to deal with the government on a matter like this, the best posture to take, in my experience, is one of polite cooperation with as little emotion or fear as possible. If you are uncomfortable doing something or talking about something, it's best to just explain why you are uncomfortable and tell them what you would prefer to do.

Thus, instead of saying "I don't talk to PIGS!" and slamming the door, it might be better to say "Gentlemen, I appreciate you coming by today, and I would like to talk to you, but would it be possible to re-schedule this meeting at my attorney's office for later today or tomorrow?"

See the difference?

[smallpoxgirl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('BigTex', 'T')hus, instead of saying "I don't talk to PIGS!" and slamming the door, it might be better to say "Gentlemen, I appreciate you coming by today, and I would like to talk to you, but would it be possible to re-schedule this meeting at my attorney's office for later today or tomorrow?"

See the difference?

[BigTex]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('BigTex', 'T')hus, instead of saying "I don't talk to PIGS!" and slamming the door, it might be better to say "Gentlemen, I appreciate you coming by today, and I would like to talk to you, but would it be possible to re-schedule this meeting at my attorney's office for later today or tomorrow?"

See the difference?

[davep]

That seems a relatively wise and expedient approach, Bigtex.

[cowuvula]

It would be actually very wise about this time of world ending, to take a part time job as their dispatcher for the local police or secretary for the department, the officers really protect their own and you have inside info on the computer system....

This is an IDEAL situation when things go down, you will have their undying help, they need you, and will always help you

plus there is no way they are going to bang down your door if you work for them....

it is relatively easy to get these undesirable jobs but if you work part time it would be three feathers in your cap

also, the dispatcher is their life, they really protect them.

[Blacksmith]

Your interview is very similar to how cops would deal with a noisy party of teenagers. They wouls simply take one ( possibly the one who lived there for a ride and try to scare him).

It seems like they don't like what you are doing, but really have no law under which they can arrest you, They might try public mischef, defacing public property, etc which would result in a small fine. However, they could get nasty and charge you with uttering threats to the President, a prosicution they would loose, but they ain't paying the piper and it could cost you a fair amount.