Elizabeth Barrette (ysabetwordsmith) wrote,
Elizabeth Barrette
ysabetwordsmith
  • Mood: busy

Studying Death Threats Against Obama

I've been keeping an eye on the level of hatred directed at President Obama.

An Unprecedented Number of Death Threats Against Obama
Mary Susan Littlepage, Truthout | NewsWire: "A recent Boston Globe article stated that an unprecedented number of death threats against President Obama, an increase in racist hate groups, and more antigovernment passion have put much pressure on the US Secret Service. On the other hand, Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan said there hasn't been an unusually large number of death threats against the president."


I think the Secret Service is a moderately reliable source. They surely have the information; there's a chance they might lie about it if they felt that would protect the President. However, they have certainly kept him alive this far, which is quite an accomplishment. It looks like they're doing a good job.

I would, by the way, be happy if it turns out that the rate of objection to this President is no higher than average.
Tags: ethnic studies, news, politics
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  • 2 comments
hafoc

hafoc

October 24 2009, 12:49:18 UTC 11 years ago

The Secret Service could gain power and resources by saying the threat is high. They gain nothing when they say it isn't unusual. Therefore I have no reason to doubt their word on this one.

On the other hand, I had a bit of training on how to spot threats to my own life, since I work in environmental protection, think even honest businessmen should obey the law, and therefore am not fit to live commie nazi jackbooted thug etc etc etc. One of the things they told us is that people threaten because they don't have the power to do anything else. The dangerous guy is the one who nods quietly, says "Now you've done it," and walks away.
ysabetwordsmith

Hmm...

ysabetwordsmith

October 25 2009, 06:30:28 UTC 11 years ago

>>The Secret Service could gain power and resources by saying the threat is high. They gain nothing when they say it isn't unusual. Therefore I have no reason to doubt their word on this one.<<

That's a good point.

>>One of the things they told us is that people threaten because they don't have the power to do anything else. The dangerous guy is the one who nods quietly, says "Now you've done it," and walks away.<<

Often people who threaten are all bluster. The problem is, some of them aren't; total nutjobs may well warn their target and have all kinds of background in violent outbursts before shooting someone or setting a bomb. But ones who give a quiet warning signal, yes, they're quite likely to be trouble.