The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Sen. Saxby Chambliss Requests DOJ Investigate SWATting

Posted on | June 6, 2012 | 13 Comments

by Smitty

Stacy Called from the road somewhere to point to an ABC News story by Arlette Saenz that quotes him:

Robert Stacy McCain, a contributor to the American Spectator and founder of The Other McCain Blog, wrote about Kimberlin, and shortly after, his wife’s place of employment received a phone call from Kimberlin accusing McCain of harassment. Based on Kimberlin’s ability to find his wife’s employer, McCain became concerned Kimberlin also knew the location of his home, so the McCain family relocated to an undisclosed location.
“If I was going to continue doing this story, I couldn’t do it from my home,” McCain told ABC News. ”This kind of intimidation — it’s a threat to protected first amendment expression.”
“It’s being treated as these are just bloggers playing around on Twitter, but this is serious business. It’s much more serious I think than most people now realize,” McCain said.


The situation has escalated to the point that Senator Chambliss has taken action:

He has sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder urging him to investigate the SWAT-ting cases to see if federal laws have been violated.
“I am writing with concern regarding recent reports that several members of the community of online political commentators have been targeted with harassing and frightening actions. Any potentially criminal action that incites fear, seeks to silence a dissenting opinion, and collaterally wastes the resources of law enforcement should be given close scrutiny at all levels,” Chambliss wrote in the letter.
“Regardless of any potential political differences that may exist, threats and intimidation have no place in our national political discourse. Those who choose to enter into that political discourse should not have to worry about potential threats to their or their family’s safety,” Chambliss continued. “While I am certain that local law enforcement is reviewing each of these instances, I am asking you to please look into each of these cases as well to determine if any federal laws may have been violated. Future targets of SWAT-ting, whether engaged in political speech or not, may not be so fortunate as to escape physical harm.”

Memorandum has two threads on the topic. A survey of linked blogs follows:

The Lid Thank You Saxby Chambliss! There is a glimmer of hope that he practice of SWAT-ing taking place against conservative bloggers may receive some legal attention.
American Power We’re getting results with the push-back against the left’s criminal harassment and intimidation network!
The Jawa Report Well at least this is a start. I know Eric, Nation of Cowards, Holder sux but at least this, hopefully, will gain more of our representatives attention as well as the silent MFM. Except for FNC who at least did a segment on Erick Erickson’s SWATting.
Political Insider U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss has asked Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate the practice of “SWAT-ting” conservative political commentators – fake 911 calls that send police to their homes, guns bristling.
Dan Riehl Senator Saxby Chambliss has sent a letter to AG Eric Holder demanding action on behalf of conservative commentators currently experiencing threats and harassment by an as yet unidentified source.
The Pirate’s Cove I’m currently waiting for my Congress people, Richard Burr (R), Kay Hagan (D) and Brad Miller (D), but leaving Congress with the redistricting) to follow on.
Urban Grounds Of course, since the DOJ is led by the corrupt and racist Eric Holder, and the victims of the Brett Kimberlin SWATing are Conservatives and the perpetrators are Liberal political activists…I would expect about as much help from the DOJ as they provided in ensuring that the New Black Panthers weren’t engaged in voter intimidation.
Mediaite Georgia Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss has written to the Obama administration’s Department of Justice and asked them to investigate a rash of “SWAT-ting” attacks that have recently targeted conservative bloggers.
The Lonely Conservative Also, Michelle Malkin joins in the call for our representatives in Congress to do something about this menace. I’m not exactly sure what they can do, but there has to be something.
Michelle Malkin When I asked Ali Akbar of the National Bloggers Club for help with a website/infrastructure to support the blogger targets of convicted bomber/online terrorist Brett Kimberlin two weeks ago, he didn’t hesitate or waver. He stepped up to the plate because he believes in free speech and new media.
Nice Deb ABC News spoke with both Patterico, and Erick Erickson about their SWATting incidents, and reported their stories in the piece.
“It’s a phone call that could have gotten me killed,” Frey wrote on his blog about the incident.
The Camp of the Saints ABC News Online is finally covering this story.
The Examiner On Wednesday, Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder demanding an investigation into the harassment of conservative bloggers who have been the targets of a technique known as “swatting.”

That’s just a quick survey. More scrutiny is needed. That there is finally some government attention, and the story is finally starting to gain media traction. Keep up the struggle for liberty, people.

For some reason, Stacy McCain rejected Flirtin’ With Disaster. Probably that pertains more to Kimberlin’s misadventures.

Update: linked at Hogewash

Category: The Kimberlin Files

Comments

13 Responses to “Sen. Saxby Chambliss Requests DOJ Investigate SWATting”

  1. A Senator Takes Notice | hogewash
    June 6th, 2012 @ 10:31 pm

    […] 3—ABC’s coverage has become a story in itself among conservative bloggers. The Other McCain, The Lid, Michelle Malkin, The Jawa Report, Mediate, Nice Deb, and Dan Riehl. Share […]

  2. Mike G.
    June 6th, 2012 @ 10:33 pm

    What am I… Chopped liver? http://thatmrgguy.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/brettkimberlin-getting-attention-from-congress/

  3. Evi L. Bloggerlady
    June 6th, 2012 @ 10:45 pm

    I am glad that everyone is reporting on this.  

    It is a good think.  Let’s hope Saxby Chambliss follows through.  Thanks for him for doing this.  I will post it too.  

  4. ABC News Reports Sen. Saxby Chambliss Requested DOJ Investigation of Blogger Swattings | The Lonely Conservative
    June 6th, 2012 @ 10:48 pm

    […] Camp Of The Saints, Pirate’s Cove, Mediaite, and Examiner.Update: Smitty at The Other McCain weighed in (Stacy’s in an undisclosed location) and That Mr. G. Guy is still waiting to hear […]

  5. Christy Waters
    June 6th, 2012 @ 11:11 pm

    Finally, my senator proves he’s worth a damn… sometimes.

  6. Datechguy's Blog » Blog Archive » …and the media dam cracks in the US on “Swatting” » Datechguy's Blog
    June 7th, 2012 @ 8:08 am

    […] the Justice Department on the Swatting issue, and while the MSM might have ignored bloggers this is a different kettle of fish to wit: ABC News spoke with two prominent conservative bloggers who […]

  7. The #BrettKimberlin Report D+13 Part I: A Perfect Opportunity For GOP To Question Holder On #SWATting « The Camp Of The Saints
    June 7th, 2012 @ 8:33 am

    […] members of the Committee to ask AG Holder about the attacks on bloggers, especially now that Senator Saxby Chambliss has requested the DOJ look into the […]

  8. Eric Holder Receives Questions About #SWATting And #BrettKimberlin « That Mr. G Guy's Blog
    June 7th, 2012 @ 8:48 am

    […] members of the Committee to ask AG Holder about the attacks on bloggers, especially now that Senator Saxby Chambliss has requested the DOJ look into the […]

  9. Bob Belvedere
    June 7th, 2012 @ 10:59 am

    Thanks for the link, Smitty.

    Well I got that green light baby
    I got to keep movin’ on
    Well I got that green light baby
    I got to keep movin’ on
    Well I might go out to California
    Might go down to Georgia
    I don’t know

  10. Take a gander at who has entered the Brett Kimberlin fray « The Daley Gator
    June 7th, 2012 @ 6:37 pm

    […] the Justice Department on the Swatting issue, and while the MSM might have ignored bloggers this is a different kettle of fish to […]

  11. Patterico: ‘Certain Big Media Reporters Are Scared to Write About Kimberlin’ : The Other McCain
    June 14th, 2012 @ 1:14 pm

    […] 6: Walker Files Appeal in Kimberlin Case; Ali Akbar Says: ‘We’re Not Stopping.’June 6: Sen. Saxby Chambliss Requests DOJ Investigate SWATtingJune 7: CNN Gets Scooped on Its Own Story UPDATE: ACLJ Joins the Fight!June 8: NATIONAL DAY OF […]

  12. Team Kimberlin’s Busted Hustle Now Beginning to Unravel Rapidly UPDATE: Perhaps Not a Coincidence : The Other McCain
    June 16th, 2012 @ 8:01 pm

    […] 6: Walker Files Appeal in Kimberlin Case; Ali Akbar Says: ‘We’re Not Stopping.’June 6: Sen. Saxby Chambliss Requests DOJ Investigate SWATtingJune 7: CNN Gets Scooped on Its Own Story UPDATE: ACLJ Joins the Fight!June 8: NATIONAL DAY OF […]

  13. ‘Persona Management’ for Wackjobs: Rauhauser’s Methods of Deception : The Other McCain
    June 20th, 2012 @ 1:40 pm

    […] 6: Walker Files Appeal in Kimberlin Case; Ali Akbar Says: ‘We’re Not Stopping.’June 6: Sen. Saxby Chambliss Requests DOJ Investigate SWATtingJune 7: CNN Gets Scooped on Its Own Story UPDATE: ACLJ Joins the Fight!June 8: NATIONAL DAY OF […]