Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Academic Blogs -> BlackProf

OR PHONE (866) 635-1838 for Bankruptcy Help, (866) 635-6190 for Divorce,
(866) 635-2689 for Personal Injury or (866) 635-9402 for Criminal Defense

Find a Local Lawyer

Bankruptcy (866) 635-1838
Divorce (866) 635-6190
Personal Injury (866) 635-2689
Criminal Defense (866) 635-9402

Academic

: BlackProf

Liz Trotta?s Joke About Killing Barack Obama: A Federal Crime on Fox News?

By Boyce Watkins

ADVERTISEMENTS

Liz Trotta?s joke about killing ?Osama, I mean Obama?, if she could, is commentary that needs no explanation. If I still have to explain to you why Liz Trotta and Fox News are screwed up, then there is no point in even having a conversation.

However, there is the larger issue of whether or not Liz Trotta has committed a federal offense.US Code 18 Chapter 19, Section 373(a) of the Federal Criminal Code reads as follows:(a) Whoever, with intent that another person engage in conduct constituting a felony that has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against property or against the person of another in violation of the laws of the United States, and under circumstances strongly corroborative of that intent, solicits, commands, induces, or otherwise endeavors to persuade such other person to engage in such conduct, shall be imprisoned not more than one-half the maximum term of imprisonment or (notwithstanding section 3571) fined not more than one-half of the maximum fine prescribed for the punishment of the crime solicited, or both; or if the crime solicited is punishable by life imprisonment or death, shall be imprisoned for not more than twenty years.

Also, there are more specific laws against threatening the life of members of Congress and other elected officials.狢 would love to hear some attorneys explain why there isn?t more serious action being taken. Liz Trotta, Fox News and everyone else should be held accountable.There is also the issue of the racially charged and deadly climate that has been created in this election. Just a few months ago, Bill O?Reilly joked about lynching Michelle Obama.As a person who has his life consistently threatened every single week, I am not sure if Bill O?Reilly, Liz Trotta or anyone else really understands how serious this is. When Bill O?Reilly speaks negatively of me, I usually get several death threats from people who sound just crazy enough to actually go through with it.

The idea that these attitudes can be perceived as being acceptable in mainstream America should be disturbing to us all.There are crazy people out there who might take Liz Trotta and Bill O?Reilly seriously. Death is no laughing matter.

ShareThis

Full post as published by BlackProf on May 26, 2008 (boomark / email).