Blogcritics: Comments on Somebody warn Eddie Vedder's mother

Comment by The Theory

Tue, 8 Apr 2003 11:00:27 EDT

first off I would not put it past the government OR the military to do something like that. I would agree that rolling stone are not going to go and publish any crap story to cause a stir. Umm... though, i would like some confirmation somehow. But if it's true, i say we get rid of this bush guy asap. peace.

Comment by Brian Flemming

Mon, 7 Apr 2003 18:54:36 EDT

Tom, I don't know if it is true yet. However, the fact that there are specific details, that the mother has now been identified, and that Rolling Stone and the San Francisco Chronicle deemed it credible enough to report on makes it worthy of discussion. If it turns out to be as full of crap as other recent crocks (like aluminum tubes and Niger connections), then oh well. But for now there is enough credibility to talk about it, if not outright believe it. That's why I wrote my original post this way: "The campaign against dissent may now have added a common tactic--the use of investigation as intimidation." I will not be surprised if it turns out to be true. I think Bush, Ashcroft and others in the Administration have a plan, currently well under way, to erode civil liberties for those who express political views contrary to theirs. The historical precedents for this sort of behavior are well documented. I'm glad you agree that it is chilling if it's true.

Comment by Myth

Mon, 7 Apr 2003 17:53:37 EDT

Whether the story is true or not (I don't know; I would definitely like to see some more confirmation before betting on it) the point is there. Under the Patriot Acts, freedom is beginning- very slowly- to be undermined. Freedom of speech is one of the mainstays of the Constitution, and I cannot think of a good argument to put against it. If you come up with an idea of why free speech is bad, please email me. Peace.

Comment by Tom Johnson

Mon, 7 Apr 2003 17:38:50 EDT

IF it were true, of course, chilling, yes. At the moment, "comically absurd" is what I find it. And most likely, that will not change because I can almost guarantee that this is complete and utter BS. Do you really believe this?

Comment by Brian Flemming

Mon, 7 Apr 2003 14:29:38 EDT

Tom, If the story is true, do you find it chilling? Or is it no big deal?

Comment by Tom Johnson

Mon, 7 Apr 2003 12:53:35 EDT

I'm not saying the printed stories aren't real. I'm saying that the likelihood is slim-to-none that the military would bother to contact an "unnamed member" of a band that is unknown to the majority of people. Rolling Stone and the Chronicle are simply reporting what they picked up. I don't doubt that for a minute. It's the story that Franti, or the mysterious mother, is relating that is likely fiction.

Comment by san

Mon, 7 Apr 2003 12:35:52 EDT

The SF Chron and Rolling Stone both have a history of journalistic integrity. I'll have to give them the benefit of the doubt until someone can prove otherwise.

Comment by Tom Johnson

Mon, 7 Apr 2003 12:23:07 EDT

This looks mighty suspicious. One contact by "military investigators" to the mother of someone in a band most people don't know? Sounds like fiction to me. Was this woman aware that there are pranksters out doing nasty things like this to people just for the fun of it? (Like the idiots who called and claimed to be from the military to tell the parents of a soldier fighting in Iraq, that he'd been killed in combat.) I highly doubt this story is true. But good for publicity, of course.

Comment by san

Mon, 7 Apr 2003 08:08:48 EDT

"Well, things are changing these days." Hmm... Federal agents paraphrasing Bob Dylan... But I think they missed his point. This item is horrifying. But, until they cross the line between intimidation and prosecution, these illicit tactics only make the administration look like frightened little rabbits to strong Americans with a thorough knowledge of their rights. I'd be interested in meeting the judge who signed the warrants for those personal records. Oh, yeah: What warrants? Okay, I'd like to meet the guy who classified the activities of Spearhead "a matter of national security."