Patterico posts about Brandon Raub a former marine who has been involuntarily detained for a psych evaluation because of facebook posts discussing a coming revolution. Authorities highlighted a particular post:
“Sharpen my axe; I’m here to sever heads.”
Beyond the obvious lack of understanding of the first amendment on the part of our leaders, elected officials, law enforcement and psychiatric professionals, the episode sounds way too close to 1984.
I have a liberal buddy who posts about revolution coming and a civil war and how he has a gun and a concealed weapon permit… Big deal. You don’t see him getting a visit from the Secret Service.
And really. Compare and contrast:
“We need to ride into that battlefield and chop their heads off in November.” -Ted Nugent
Then again… Nugent did get a visit from the Secret Service. But I’m sure it’s just a coincidence. After all when Black Panthers intimidate voters or call for violence, the DOJ is right there! Oh, wait…
And as Patterico points out there’s Ace of Spades HQ with the tagline from Mencken:
“Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.”
And there’s that other rebel, Thomas Jefferson:
“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”
Then there’s my personal favorite and a natural addition to the list, because I know what is best in life:
“To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women.”