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angela_the golo editor: blog ↓

golo editor's blog


could your comments land you in jail?

Published Apr. 29, 2009
Views: 1575

With almost two years behind us, we've had a lot of debates, heated discussions and ugly arguments here on GOLO. Friendships have been formed and so have rivalries. This is what happens in online communities.

Some people stick to the guidelines, others enjoy trolling and seemingly live to post nasty, hateful comments.

What would you do if one of those comments came back to haunt you? If in the heat of the moment you posted something that caught the attention of the Feds and they came knocking?

This happened to a local family. A 16-year-old boy was whisked away from his family and taken into custody for something he posted online and is still being held under the Federal Patriot Act.  Yep.

There's more, and if you want to know more, you can catch the full story on WRAL - TV tonight at 6pm. If you can't watch it at 6 or set your DVR...come back to WRAL.com later this evening and you'll find the video there.

Have you ever given this type of thing a second thought? Do you think you've posted anything that could put you behind bars? 

**UPDATE: If you  missed the story on WRAL News, you can view it here: Teen's mom questions Patriot Act 

 

Filed under: News & Issues




101 Comments


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I am really worried for Equality-7.. Don't worry brother. We will bake you cakes with files in them.

How bad were his comments though???

What can you post to possibly put you in jail? Rappers seem to always say something in a song that could land them in jail. I'll have to watch the story to see exactly what all happened. ...it never crossed my mind though getting locked up for blogging.

I did post something back in Oct. that was risky. Since blablah's commenting privileges were revoked due to what I said, it certainly opened my eyes!

Now you have me wondering what this kid said!

I try to remain civil on any message board. I try not to get goaded into the muck some like to post. But alas, I am human and at times have crawled into the basement a post or two.

And this is why the Patriot Act is wrong. Being able to hold someone without benefit of a public hearing, a jury or law representation isn't American - it's fascism.

Jail is NOT where the next GOLO reunion should be held.

"What would you do if one of those comments came back to haunt you?"

I would stand by any comment that I make.

With the change in the attitude of Homeland Security I qualify for the watch list: I do not like big government or big government spending. I do not care which party is creating the big government and creating debt, I do not like it. I also believe strongly in States rights and a much much much smaller Federal Government.

I can't imagine that simple comments or posting of opinions would land someone in jail. However, if threats were made and investigation led authorities to believe that they were credible then I can see where detention is a valid step to take.

I don't think that there is anything to be afraid of from the government by just trolling or being mean and nasty. But if you state that you are going to take an action, then don't be surprised if you get a knock on your door.

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