First, the radical right has done far, far worse than this. From the anti-abortion protesters that go from protesting to intimidation (and every few years violence) to the militia movement's efforts at judicial intimidation. PETA isn't mainstream, they're not in Obama's circle, they are the radical left.

Second, Scooter Libby was convicted of obstructing justice by a jury of his peers. The reason for this is quite simple -- he was obstructing justice, lying to Federal prosecutors, and preventing them from being able to build the case on the leakers. It's not a little crime, it is an assault on the rule of law, and the little weasel deserved to go to jail.

Third, the photo of Biden holding the dog was very unfortunately cropped. That puppy has the most adorable giant feet.

Prove it. Now.
No more excuses, no more dancing.
Now.

You made statements you could not support

Prove it.
Right here, right now.
I'm not playing your game, Anjin.

Oh... and you've still not answered the question.
Just in case you thought I'd forgotten about it.

The point, if you'll look at the last paragraph of the post, is that the Internet is allowing wack-job groups - from any extremist position - to rapidly focus frightening amounts of attention on anyone who publicly disagrees with their sacred cows. Or, as in this case, anyone even tangentially connected to their nominal targets.

It's an ability that didn't exist during the terms of Reagan or Bush Sr., and it can potentially have a very damaging effect on more parts of society than just free speech.

I'm not playing your games, Anjin.

Shouldn't that be "I'm not playing my own game" since he just turned what you said right back at you?

Anyway... I'd have more sympathy for the poor breeder if she wasn't, you know, a bitch who makes her living by abusing animals. I'm funny like that. Yes, Biden should have gotten his puppy from a shelter just like anyone else in the market for a pet. Puppy mills are abhorrent.

I'm not playing your games, Anjin.

You made statements you could not support. You run like the wind when confronted with facts. Another day in the life of Chuckels the Clown.

Do what you always do, proclaim victory and move on to the next rant...

And how much if it was driven by the was criminalization of a political position?

Please provide definitive proof that this is the case.

http://www.uslaw.com/library/Legal_Commentary/Court_Rules_National_Security_Letters_Provisions_Patriot_Act.php?item=326198

http://a.abcnews.com/WNT/story?id=1479790

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/22/AR2007032201882.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/20/AR2007032000921.html

http://boingboing.net/2008/01/09/tsa-searches-detains.html

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/presidentbush/2008/07/terrorist-watch.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/8601-100_162-2066624.html?assetTypeId=30

National Security Letters under Bush, or incorrectly placed on "no-fly" lists.

Yea, that had nothing to do with misuse of the power of government.

Definitive proof that this was misuse of government, would be nice. With you, bloody well impossible. But, nice.

As for the "quality of people" attracted by Presidents, how many of Reagan's people required pardons? How many of Bush 43's are indicted/convicted? More than a few...

And how much if it was driven by the was criminalization of a political position? I ask because it would seem to explain very clearly the conviction of scooter Libby, for example. Fitz always knew where the leak was coming from. Yet, he continued chasing Libby.

Seems also to be in line with the methods employed by PETA, doesn't it?

Yea, that had nothing to do with misuse of the power of government.

As for the "quality of people" attracted by Presidents, how many of Reagan's people required pardons? How many of Bush 43's are indicted/convicted? More than a few...

And before anyone starts, this has little to do with the immediate quality of the people involved (Obama, the Clintons, Carter, etc), and more to do with the quality of the groups in the orbit of each of these people. It's not much of a stretch to suggest Obama has attracted a larger than usual number of crackpots, even among Democrats.

The distortion of the whole thing is amplified by the power of government.