The Sinister Sisters of Sodom, Part II

OneNewsNow is carrying the story Homosexual blog forecasts violence against Christians. As an aside, please read our Privacy Policy which is specifically designed to thwart such fishing expeditions. Nevertheless, our dynamic duo is being victimized by people who have commented on Joe Jervis' blog. This time those evil homosexuals are supposedly threatening violence. First of all, Mr. Jervis is not legally responsible for the content of comments.

Since Mr. Barber is supposedly a lawyer (albeit with a mail order degree from Falwell's Liberty Law), he should know that a threat has to be a "true threat." Otherwise, it is protected speech. Without specifying individuals to be targets and the actions to be carried out, it is unlikely that these comments could be construed as true threats. Furthermore, a true threat is one that exhibits an unconditional intent to be carried out. The idea that "the FBI is investigating terrorism threats" is preposterous. Anyone can make a complaint about anything to the FBI and then claim that they are "investigating the matter." Suggesting that they consider it terrorism is sheer nonsense. In fact. the whole thing is just nonsense from people who are determined to get some attention. The ACLU suggests:

The objective test requires that the statement be reasonably interpreted by the listener, in light of its relevant context, as communicating a serious intent to inflict or cause harm. The subjective test requires that the speaker specifically intend that his statement be understood by the listener as such.

A better example of a true threat on the Internet can be found on some Christian fundamentalist websites targeting abortion providers.

The FBI is investigating terrorism threats posted on a homosexual blog that appear to be aimed at Christians.

Pro-family activists have drawn attention to a disturbing exchange on a homosexual blog run by Joe Jervis of New York. The exchange takes place between individuals named Fritz and Tex in the comment section of a blog discussing the Maine homosexual marriage defeat and pro-family activists Matt Barber of Liberty Counsel and Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth about Homosexuality. LaBarbera says the two commentators discussed carrying out acts of terrorism against Christians.
 
"One guy [Fritz] sort of raises [the concept] and says, 'well, if Obama doesn't give us what we want, you are going to see a very real potential for violence' -- to quote his words...and then he says, 'well, that is not a good thing,'" LaBarbera reports. "Then another activist comes back and says, 'Well what's wrong with that?'" (See sample of blog comments below)