Blog author receives uninvited guests from the gov
Ed and Elaine Brown were taken into custody last week. I’ve made no secret of my support for the Browns, but I’m starting to worry about offering my opinions in such a public manner. Anytime I make mention of the Browns on this blog, I invite visitors from .gov IP addresses. Visitors from the Senate and House don’t really concern me but the DOJ visitors do. Whenever I previously raised concerns, some well meaning (?) people told me that I was a bit nuts. I mean why would the Department of Justice give a damn about my opinion? Why would they care about people exercising their right to free speech?
My friend, Michael Hampton, and I used to contribute together at Hammer Of Truth and since it is (perhaps permanently) down for upgrades, I go often to check out his thoughts at Homeland Stupidity. Michael is a NH resident, member of the Free State Project and has also been a very vocal supporter of the Browns and has documented that support on his website. When Michael started writing about the harassment received from the DOJ, he was called many ugly names and everything from his sanity to his intelligence was questioned. What he recently wrote about almost knocked the breath out of me. Armed federal agents paid a visit to Michael’s home on Friday.
Satire became reality Friday afternoon when half a dozen armed federal agents wearing body armor showed up at this author’s home and detained everyone in the house for nearly 90 minutes to determine who might pose a threat to the government.
Marshal John Bolen of the U.S. Marshals Office of Protective Intelligence traveled to Manchester, N.H., to investigate threats of violence allegedly made against Steven McAuliffe, a federal judge in the district court in Concord, and other federal officials in the area. He brought along with him other marshals and agents who would only say that they were with the Treasury Department.
Later in the afternoon the federal agents detained and interrogated another Manchester resident for nearly 30 minutes trying to locate yet another person of interest to them, and then after having set up a Saturday meeting with this person of interest, didn’t even bother to show up.
The threats allegedly originated with convicted tax protesters Ed and Elaine Brown, late of Plainfield, and supporters of their cause. Marshals took the Browns into custody Thursday night to begin serving 63-month prison terms after a nine-month standoff in which the couple remained in their home, supporters brought food, supplies and firearms, and staged concerts and press conferences on the property.
No matter what you think about the Browns, this should chill you to the bone. That the government monitors and then detains a person for expressing himself on a public blog should show you that we are not talking about tin foil stuff here. I’m glad that everybody at Michael’s home is safe, but he should not have been visited to start with. An old saying is brought to mind right now and I think that people should pay attention.
It’s not paranoia if they really are out to get you.
Another thing worthy of a quick mention. Where is Ed Brown? I know that he is supposed to be in federal custody; that’s what they told us anyway. A Digg reader has pointed this out though:
Elaine Brown, prisoner #03924-049 is in Federal Bureau of Prisons Custody at Danbury FCI
Ed Brown, prisoner #03923-049 is NOT IN FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS CUSTODY
So where is Ed? How can he not be in federal custody? If not theirs, then whose? Military maybe? I’ve heard quotes from officials that they were not in state or local custody at any time nor would they be.
Scary stuff indeed.
So, this post is dedicated to the U.S. Government. I still support Ed and Elaine Brown. In fact, my support is strengthened by your actions at Michael’s house. I do feel that I must stress here that I’m non-violent. I certainly don’t wish to entertain your thugs and I’m a shitty hostess. I’m also posting a couple of tax videos from Tommy Cryer. It is, after all, my duty to try to release your grip on the neck of America.
Update: Just wanted to say good morning to the DOJ.
Digg This HERE.
This is indeed chilling, although I disagree with the tax-protest movement in terms of their legal claims, etc. I do not think they have a leg to stand on legally. This battle will never be won in a court of law.
Morally, I agree with Ed and Elaine Brown that the income tax and federal government system of imposing and collecting that tax is unjust and immoral.
Tommy Cryer won his battle in court.
I support the browns too! The DOJ can kiss my white ass!!
Treasury Department? Why in the hell is the secret service involved?
Interesting–I blogged about the Browns a few months ago and also got a government visitor (I could not determine the department). But that happens. A while back I was critical of the Justice Department and they stopped by directly from the DOJ IP at my site–made about twenty visits.
I may be stupid and foolhardy–but my position is fuck ‘em. The last I knew the First Amendment is still kinda viable.
~Becky
Foolhardy and stupid? Hardly. I think that you and I view it the same and we’d be cowards to let a couple of government spooks scare us from spreading the message. This country is fucked up right now and I am tired of feeling like I’m the slave of government when it is supposed to be my servant.
Hey, don’t forget to <a href=”http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.php?u=http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2007/10/07/marshals-investigate-potential-threats-to-the-nation/”digg my story so we can get some real exposure for this travesty.
(Will someone please insert the missing > above? Thanks.)
It was my impression that they were ATF, but I could be wrong.
I linked back in the body of the post, but I haven’t the knowledge to insert a Digg icon automatically.
I went back with specific instructions to Digg at link.
Things are only going to get worse. I ran across this article the other day. I feel everyone who has not read it needs to
The Protocols of the learned Elders of Zion. Google it to get full text or biblebelivers.org.au/przion1.htm I am worried about Ed Brown.
Just because America has historically been on the up-and-up most of the time, that doesn’t mean we can assume backslide and decline are impossible. Good democracy is a goal to fight for, not some lifetime status that was granted by a piece of paper.
[...] looking at the Top posts WordPress Dashboard can be quite fruitful. Not only am I adding this woman to my blogroll, I’m stealing one of her icons. [...]
OOPS! « Thoughts, Raves & Outright Beatings said this on October 8, 2007 at 9:16 pm |
It is scary, but unfortunately not very surprising.
Thank Christ (no not him) that there are people like you around. You’re letting us know how it will be in our country very soon.
[...] start with calling b.s. on The Heartbreak Kid. Wait, no, not yet. I found this over at LadyLibertarian. For three years, Michael Hampton offended my sensibilities with his crappy predictable writing [...]
The Liberated Space Continues said this on October 9, 2007 at 12:34 am |
This definitely sends a chill down my spine, but I’m really not surprised. The government is getting more tyrannical by the second.
Wow. I had some chilling discussions with US citizens whilst on holiday on the Transkei coast last December, but this is not just highly ludicrous – it’s also very very scary.
What next, will I be getting uninvited federal guests because I comment on this!?
What country are you from anyway?
USA? I always thought that Filipinos are freer when it comes to opinion than the US Citizens, heck, weve ousted two presidents in two decades via peaceful revolutions and the third one is currently undergoing.
[...] Blog author receives uninvited guests from the gov http://ladyliberty.wordpress.com….ests-from-the-gov/ [...]
Supporters Fear Ed Brown Is Being Tortured « noworldsystem.com said this on October 9, 2007 at 3:34 am |
The only ones we can blame are ourselves. We have allowed government and its numerous (armed) enforcement agencies to have control.
Law enforcement used to be straight forward. Uniforms and black and white cars. Nowadays, anyone can stick a badge and gun under your nose. That is not Freedom in my book.
For the little person, you and I and the Browns, we are a nuisance to be disposed of. Collateral damage as it were.
There is no longer any room for the “individual” in today’s Society, unless you are dumb, blond and Daddy is rich.
[...] Blog author receives uninvited guests from the gov caught my eye this morning. [...]
Goodby Black and White « ridiculous in the middle of nowhere said this on October 9, 2007 at 5:24 am |
i have been wanting to learn more about the browns case. just seems so unjust.
I am not too surprised that your friend received that visit from the D.O.P. I have never been visited, but when I still blogged over at Daily Kos, My diaries were shut down for sedition by the Government. They were in no way close to seditious. They just spoke out about the corrupt Bush administration, and called to bring it down.
To this day I keep my eyes open, and ear to the ground, but I will not stop speaking out against a corrupt system and will inform as many as will listen.
This is a great story, and I am going to place your site in my blog roll.
ABA
So, you get arrested for not paying your taxes? What a f@$%ing suprise.
[...] pissed, and discouraged with the fucked up priorities of our Justice Department when I read this. Whether you stand on the side of this peaceful couple is not the point, it’s that [...]
On Ed & Elaine Brown, Hurricanes, and Blog Action… « said this on October 9, 2007 at 8:59 am |
[...] a fellow blogger who just received an unannounced house visit from the Federal Government. Click HERE to [...]
Ideas From Free Minds « said this on October 9, 2007 at 9:30 am |
The post is about the government harassing people who hold opinions it disagrees with.
[...] Before the fun starts, let me just express my dismay at the apprehension of Ed and Elaine Brown. While I do truly support them in their cause (the nerve of some people to think they should actually be the ones who determine what to do with their own money), I’m also writing this to see if I get interrogated by government storm troopers. [...]
In Which It’s More Like Rocktober AMIRIGHT? « This Recording said this on October 9, 2007 at 10:15 am |
[...] So They Can’t Find What’shisname… But they can damn sure find two 70 year old tax evaders. [...]
So They Can’t Find What’shisname… « The Reluctant Geisha said this on October 9, 2007 at 10:24 am |
[...] opinions supporting the Browns (the couple who managed to keep the IRS at bay for five years) one blogger was visited by a half dozen armed agents (new window) from the Department of Justice who detained everyone in the house for an hour and a [...]
OMG! That is unbelievable. Thank you for educating us. We have got to come together as Americans and let our voices be heard. Thanks for leading the pack.
Felipe
I wrote about the IRS last week. It was all in good fun, but I guess I’d better batten down the hatches.
Great blog, I’m adding you to my blogroll.
If the incident about the police detaining that group for 90 minutes is true then it is very chilling.
They Browns are getting all that attention because they are a threat to seriously digging in the governments pockets ,not to mention exposing the lie of the tax law that does not exist . And they all know it . It makes you wonder if they abide by it , I’m thinking probably not .
Fight the good Fight , there is a shortage of hereos in the world .
Sounds like a police state to me. You are becoming what you most feared for years.
This is all ridiculous. The Browns were breaking laws that American society decided were fair and necessary. We’re not talking about civil or human rights here. We’re talking about taxes. TAXES. Where would be without taxes? For starters, we wouldn’t have a government. Without a government, you wouldn’t be able to make money to get taxed anyway. That’s what the Browns seem to not understand. They don’t want to pay their taxes but without the government they wouldn’t have earned their money in the first place.
Geezus. You people are too damn cynical. I also don’t believe any of you are getting “visits” from Federal agents. Where are the news reports? Why aren’t you going to the media with this?
The Browns didn’t refuse to pay all taxes, they refused to pay the Federal Income Tax. I’m too chicken shit to withhold my payments to the IRS. I look best in heels, skirts, and jeans with a glass of red wine in my hand. I don’t think that would fly in prison.
Most services that are mentioned in the tax debates (police, fire, education) have been maintained by local taxes.
My “visits” from the feds come only in the form of website visits. (DOJ, FDA, and Treasury departments just today.) Michael Hampton’s actual visit is being discussed here. You might hit the link to his site to see which media outlets he might have contacted.
Did not see any mention of a warrant, which is what would be needed to detain someone under color of authority, absent exigent circumstances. Ed could be in transit, or on a “diesel therapy” mission, either way there would be no record of him except to the Marshall’s. Redirect the Feds to my blog, I’m just warming up.
[...] 9th, 2007 by Michael van der Galiën Read all about it here: Ed and Elaine Brown were taken into custody last week. I’ve made no secret of my support for the [...]
Libertarians Gone Wild « The Van Der Galiën Gazette said this on October 9, 2007 at 2:30 pm |
[...] Brother really is watching you 9 10 2007 Hmmm. Found this post online today, and I have to say, it’s CREEPY. Apparently some blogger ended up being detained [...]
Oh Cliff, oh thank you, white male overlord. Thank you for bringing truth to us uneducated unenlightened right wing kooks.
Look, you establishment tool, taxes are what support the power structure, sexism, racism and the war machine. Of course, you would support such a system, fucktards like you benefit.
Oh, Cornell West was full of shit when I was in graduate school 15. I doubt he is any less full of shit now. I am sure however that he has figured out how to hail a cab.
“…when I was in graduate school 15 years ago.”
Sorry, Miche. I’m sober too.
Cliff reminds me of my former students.
akeaton,
no worries. I will likely be drunk dialing you later. I’m in a foul mood and have to pack for a trip. I’ve been super lazy and now I have to bust ass.
xoxo
Awesome! I will be up late packing for Reno.
Just cuz you’re not paranoid, Babe, doesn’t mean they ain’t out to get you.
Out to get you or not … yeah this is a news: uninvited guests from the gov – nobody likes that
[...] Blog author receives uninvited guests from the gov http://ladyliberty.wordpress.com….ests-from-the-gov/ [...]
Armed Feds Question Bloggers In Brown Case « noworldsystem.com said this on October 10, 2007 at 5:15 am |
[...] of former Hammer of Truth writers, Michelle Shinghal is reporting that Michael Hampton was visited by body-armor donned Federal agents apparently for acts of [...]
GordonUnleashed » Blog Archive » Added to the blogroll said this on October 10, 2007 at 8:47 am |
[...] Trout under fish wrap , government , mystery , opinion , politics , society I ran across a blog and some news clips that I found unsettling. Since I just posted Zeitgeist, a film that raises issues about 9/11, the [...]
Lindbergh and the Federal Reserve Act « Fish Wrap said this on October 10, 2007 at 10:11 am |
G’Day Libertarian Lady
It’s interesting to see the development of the USA from over here in Australia with our very close links (links that you may not be aware of) and it’s interesting to see all the flag waving that you do as a culture and the slow loss of the ideals that your nation was founded on. The invasion of your home and life is an example of this.
I enjoy hearing that there are still some rational thinkers in the US. From what we see over here it’s easy to think your all gun toting war mongers hell bent on overtaking the world and destroying everything in your path.
These new media systems are a way to help us all realise that it’s not as the mainstream wants us to see it and it’s a way for me to realise that the people in the American streets are not the sycophants or monsters that we might think but rational humans like ourselves and all humans across the globe.
Interesting that the videos wont load???
Hello Ian and thanks for stopping by. I want to point out that it was a fellow blogger who had agents stop by. I’ve not met anyone from the gov.
Most of us here in America do not have any desire to take over the world.
Sorry Miche, but its about NOT PAYING YOUR TAXES. It’s not okay for a corporation to dodge their taxes It’s not okay for a Wesley Snipes to dodge taxes, its not okay for me or you to dodge taxes. Period. BTW, its federal funds that pay for our highway system, until NCLB federal tax dollars helped pay for the education system, and just to make the point even more tangible, federal tax dollars helped to build the infrastructure of the Internet. Here’s a news flash: The federal gov’t SHOULD punish people who don’t pay their taxes for any reason, be it greed OR just a moral stand. You can object to Interventionist policies all you want, but taxes are one of two certainties in life. What outcome did they expect anyway?
[...] this from ‘ideas from free minds’. It’s [...]
US police visit blogger’s home. « said this on October 12, 2007 at 1:26 am |
Whoever said that thing about death and taxes was wrong. Taxes aren’t certain or even necessary.
Anyway, I’m continually surprised when people don’t believe me that I was interrogated by federal agents for an hour and a half. Yet it did indeed happen. The head honcho of the U.S. Marshals around here confirmed it to the local newspaper.
[...] Read about how the American government harasses citizens that disagree with its policies. [...]
American Government Bullies Citizens « Le Blog de Maurice said this on October 12, 2007 at 10:51 pm |
[...] FASCISM RISING: Blog authors receive uninvited guests from the government – Justice Department readi… Good morning DOJ. Did you know I once provided you with a report on internet backbone traffic for MCI? I really enjoyed working on Easter to get that to you in time. Am I going to get a thank you visit for posting this? (tags: politics AbuseOfAuthority taxes incomeTax EdBrown ElaineBrown taxEvasion IRS HomelandSecurity censorship fascism FirstAmendment FreedomOfSpeech DepartmentOfJustice DOJ agents bloggers) [...]
links for 2007-10-19 « Clint’s blog said this on October 19, 2007 at 4:21 pm |
This is what I don’t understand about America. How do things like that happen, and the people responsible for the event remain in their positions?
It just doesn’t happen in most countries (that I am aware of). Definitely not in my country, Australia.
If my government was to do something like that, heads would roll.
[...] Goodby Black and White Blog author receives uninvited guests from the gov caught my eye this [...]
Goodby Black and White « I am the Son said this on December 7, 2007 at 7:28 am |
[...] under: Injustice, LIBERTY, Terror — The Bohemian @ 9:04 am Tags: Goodby Black and White Blog author receives uninvited guests from the gov caught my eye this [...]
Goodby Black and White « Bohemian’s Raphsody said this on December 12, 2007 at 2:47 pm |