Is the Secret Service Investigating Liz Trotta and Fox News?

FOX News political pundit Liz Trotta jokingly suggested this weekend that someone should assassinate an American presidential candidate. She had first "mistakenly" referred to Obama as "Osama" while discussing theories that Hillary Clinton's recent comments about the RFK assassination was in fact a suggestion that someone "knock off Osama." When she was corrected and reminded that she meant "Obama," she then said, "Well, both if we could."

The United States Secret Service is charged with the protection of Senator Obama and famously takes all threats seriously, so it's important to ask the question whether they will be investigating Liz Trotta's comment, FOX News' response to that comment, and any collateral threats that may have been generated by the comment.

Assassins throughout our history have repeatedly claimed to find their motivations in the media. John Hinckley claimed his attempted assassination of Reagan was because of his obsession with Jodie Foster, Mark David Chapman cited The Catcher in the Rye and the film Ordinary People as inspirations for his assassination of John Lennon, and Charles Manson claims his murders were a result of his twisted interpretation of The Beatles' "Helter Skelter."

While these so-called motivations are inexplicable to a healthy mind, it is foolish and naive not to accept as a terrifying fact that psychotics can and will be triggered by almost anything, which is why it's not only vulgar but completely reckless, irresponsible and bordering on criminal for those who comment on politics and political figures to say the kind of disgusting thing that Liz Trotta said. It's also, not incidentally, why the world pounced so quickly and decisively on Hillary Clinton's comments about the RFK assassination.

This from the Secret Service website: "The Secret Service is interested in legitimate information relating to threats, plans or attempts by individuals, groups or organizations to harm Secret Service protectees. However, the agency does not desire or solicit information pertaining to individuals or groups expressing legitimate criticism of, or political opposition to, the policies and decisions of the government or government officials."

The questions the Secret Service should be asking are: Were Liz Trotta and FOX News criminally negligent in using the public airwaves to suggest the assassination of a presidential candidate; Is the suggestion of political assassination an example of legitimate criticism; and, If the First Amendment doesn't allow one to yell "Fire!" in a crowded theater or "Bomb!" on an airplane, how could it allow a public "joke" about assassinating a political candidate?

And what is the question the rest of us should be asking? How about, what kind of world are we creating for ourselves and our children where we allow our political divisions to become so deep that the suggestion or even the joke about a political assassination is in any way acceptable?

Comments

[BabsfromKS]

The law, US Code, Title 18, Part 1, Section 879:

Sec. 879. Threats against former Presidents and certain other
persons

a) Whoever knowingly and willfully threatens to kill, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm upon -

1) a former President or a member of the immediate family of a former President;

2) a member of the immediate family of the President, the President-elect, the Vice President, or the Vice President-elect;

3) a major candidate for the office of President or Vice President, or a member of the immediate family of such candidate;

or

(4) a person protected by the Secret Service under section 3056(a)(6);

shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.

[UnbiasView]

Would you consider that a threat?

[midwesthousewife]

They don't let you joke about hijackings or bombs when you are standing in line at the airport. Why can someone joke about killing someone on the public airwaves? Frankly, I think anyone making such a sick comment about anybody on the airwaves--­President, Vice-President or Presidential candidates aside--should be punished. Our country should not be tolerating hate speech. Just watch the movies about Rwanda to see where it can lead. The hate speech on the radio in Rwanda that led to the genocide sounds no different from the stuff the rightwing radio has been spewing about liberals for years.

[myownwings]

Thank you for this information. Down the line in the comments is information about agencies to contact regarding this behavior on the part of Ms. Trotta and allowed by Fox. Time to find out voice about these types of comments on any network or radio by anybody.

[tbrnotb]

Actually, the "Gestapo" is too busy right now. They are all in Minneapolis looking for possible demonstrators against the republican convention this summer. NO time for Huckabee, Trotta and their ilk.

It's amazing how scum like Liz Trotta and her faux news buddies always get a pass

[LaFilleEnRose]

I must admit that when I heard about this episode on Fox News, I wondered about legal action. I mean, it is illegal to yell fire in a public place - to stir up panicked action. Surely this meets the same level of danger, which might stir up or encourage hostile action. Plus a news agency gives all the more validity to such stirring...making those teetering on the edge of insanity believe they are doing good by it. I think legal action is required here. Thanks for a good post.

[jennbeez]

Sounds like she was voicing out loud and on the air basic water cooler commentary that takes place at Fox. It's beyond horrible. It's confirmation that everything Reverend Wright said was true. They should apologize to him, too, while they're at it. They've spoken of little else ever since the sermons were leaked.

[NotMcCain]

That guy at MSNBC was suspended for talking about the Clintons "pimping out" Chelsea.

Trotta should be fired. And FOX should be investigated and heavily fined.

They've been given a pass for too long, but this time they really went too far. Send a message now, and stop this kind of garbage so we don't have it continuing into November.

[janex]

So to where and to whom do we voice our complaints? I would be more than happy to register my dissatisfaction. If Janet Jackson's breast can cause so much trouble, I think an that Liz Trotta should be held to account as well.

[AlexVonHussein]

Start by writing to the FBI and then The Secret Service!!...I guess they all need a kick write a blog about your results

[Mojane]

That's MSNBC, a legitimate news network as opposed to FOX, a tabloid magazine who's basically encouraged by Rupert Murdoch to keep on keepin' on with the down and dirty. Plus, we have freedom of speech and press. In this case, however, I think at least Congress (the lawmakers) should look into the implied threat.

[duze]

They have been reported to the Secret Service as you know are responsible for Senator Obama's protection. Let's see if she can laugh her way out of this one.

[scrutiny1]

"It's bushs' fault!!"

cla62, your immature response should not have even been posted.

[brainstrain]

It's called sarcasm...in reference to Clinton blaming Obama for the initial RFK comment that got this whole $hit train rollin.

[dawlishgal]

If Trotta had said the same thing about the Clintons, they would be demanding that she be fired.

[JackLivigni]

An excellent reflection!

Trotta is a traitor to this nation as far as I am concerned.

[MSB]

This issue has absolutely nothing to do with conservative versus liberal ideology. If a person believes this as acceptable speech, then I believe our country will, and maybe should, be headed for civil war. This type of statement has NO PLACE in public speech. Speech like this should result in public apologies if not jail time. If the prevailing public dialog suggests that it is acceptable to threaten the life of Barack Obama, then I would be naive to believe that it is unacceptable to threaten the lives of myself, my wife and my child (in addition to all of my friends) due to the fact that we don't share the opinion of this administration. This must stop NOW. FOX should lose its license. I am appalled that these propagandists continue to get their license renewed given their lack of public decency. They are appalling if not criminal.

It is NOT time to be tolerant. This is threatening a presidential candidate. This should be fully investigated and prosecuted.

[Aleka4]

I hear you!

This is very frightening to me.

It seems that Clinton AND this Trotta monster BOTH get passes for this. And that tells us exactly how low the country has sunk. I am failing to see much difference between us and some of the other countries we profess to be better than.

[cla62]

It's bushs' fault!! Really, It's George Bushs' fault. He's a republican.

[Knowitall]

Now, now, calm down, we're trying to have an intelligent conversation here. So please go sit down over there in your corner while the adults talk. That's a good republican......

[MarciL]

She should lose her job by the end of the day and she should be in jail.

This type of so-called humor is UNACCEPTABLE, Fox "News".

[burnt]

Contact FOX:
Teri Everett, Senior Vice President
Corporate Affairs & Communications
Phone: [phone]
E-Mail: teverett@n­ewscorp.co­m

jhorner@ne­wscorp.com

Or file an obscenity complaint here:

http://www.fcc.gov/eb/oip/Compl.html
Electronic Mail at [e-mail]
Toll Free: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322); 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY
Fax: [phone]

[myownwings]

Thank you for this information. I fully intend to follow through with comments to these entities. It doesn't matter who I would vote for - it matters that this is America and there is no place for this kind of behavior on the part of Ms. Trotta who has 40 years of experience in the news business and Fox which has gotten away with much to much lately.

[schicklett3]

All this assination talk by news pundits (and Hillary Clinton) must stop now. I'll go a step further and say that any news channel allowing such discussions by their news team should be shut down immediately.
There are people that take these discussions seriously and will indeed act upon them - when people openly say that they want the same thing that happened to JFK (not RFK) to happen to Senator Obama then I say any and all talks about assinations on news and talk shows should be immediately halted.
FOX News has a deep bias against Senator Obama and it shows - just listen to Shawn Hannity and the guest on Hannity and Colms and you'll get the gist of what I'm talking about.
Anyway, I hope Fox News, and any other news show allowing such talk, will be boycotted and taken off the air.
This needs to stop now.

[RedKnuckles]

"assinatio­n".....are­n't you talking about the current prez now?

[DAVESEAN]

Can't one litigate her based on what she said on t.v..........incite violence and assassination in the minds of the 28% that support BUSH
I HOPE OBAMA BECOMES PRESIDENT.­.....ISSUE­S LIKE THIS WILL CEASE ETERNALLY

[veteran1964]

Five times in my life I have seen people arrested for comments made about their president. Two instances were a conversation that said "Someone needs to shoot the SOB". These people that were arrested served over five years in Federal Prison. I cannot understand why the FBI is not on this case because if it were you, in a restaurant and said that remark, you would be jailed immediately. These are threats on a political official and I am saddened to hear what has been said. It sickening to my soul and someone needs to take this woman, and Hillary, in handcuffs to the nearest jail, and do not pass GO or collect donations.

Why, are not the laws followed? It seems to me that there is a double standard with PUNDENTS on Fox News. They talk about patriotism and honoring our country? How about the friggin laws that protect our servants from this BS? Arrest the bitch and take her to jail. And, fine Fox News $100.000.0­00.000.000­.000.000 billion dollars and pass it around.

[Chillinout]

Because Faux News is a wholly owned subsidiary of the bush regime.

[unity08]

Sign the PETITION to have TROTTA FIRED

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/fox-news-has-to-sack-liz-trotta

[FACINGREALIT]

Thanks for the information, I signed the petition which didn't take but a minute or two. I encourage all HUFFERS to do the same. Also, we should take the names of ALL ADVERTISERS on Fox and post that information as well so that we can collectively inform EACH & EVERY one of them that we are going to BOYCOTT their product for as long as they advertise on Fox because we will take their actions as condoning this type of behavior. Advertisers HATE being boycotted and when we take away Fox money (advertisers) we cancel them (Fox). If anyone can post the advertisers, (ALL OF FOX ADVERTISERS) we can get their contact information and inform ALL advertisers of our petition collectively. When they stop advertising; We stop this type of inciteful, hate-filled rhetoric! Let's KILL FOX - Once and For ALL FOR There is Power in Knowledge and Power in Numbers. We can do this - YES WE CAN!

[UnbiasView]

I watch Fox News from time to time and was unaware that she was even hired in the first place . . . never seen her, never heard her talk and don't really want to.

[realpolitic]

And then what is the point?