Your Rights Online: Little Red Book Draws Government Attention

[Bob Hubbard]

This creeps me out. Kid requests book, gets investigated.

Your Rights Online: Little Red Book Draws Government Attention
Posted by Zonk on Saturday December 17, @04:44PM
from the they-have-nothing-better-to-do? dept.
narcolepticjim writes
"An unnamed Dartmouth student was visited by Homeland Security for requesting a copy of Mao Zedong's Little Red Book for a class project." From the article: "The student, who was completing a research paper on Communism for Professor Pontbriand's class on fascism and totalitarianism, filled out a form for the request, leaving his name, address, phone number and Social Security number. He was later visited at his parents' home in New Bedford by two agents of the Department of Homeland Security, the professors said."

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[sgtmac_46]

This creeps me out. Kid requests book, gets investigated.

Your Rights Online: Little Red Book Draws Government Attention
Posted by Zonk on Saturday December 17, @04:44PM
from the they-have-nothing-better-to-do? dept.
narcolepticjim writes
"An unnamed Dartmouth student was visited by Homeland Security for requesting a copy of Mao Zedong's Little Red Book for a class project." From the article: "The student, who was completing a research paper on Communism for Professor Pontbriand's class on fascism and totalitarianism, filled out a form for the request, leaving his name, address, phone number and Social Security number. He was later visited at his parents' home in New Bedford by two agents of the Department of Homeland Security, the professors said."

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Do we know if this is true, or is this one of those 'anecdotal stories' some people like to tell for dramatic effect? The 'unnamed' part concerns me. This could be an FoF kind of thing.

 

[Ping898]

and who says the provisions of Patriot Act aren't being abused.......

 

[Bob Hubbard]

Do we know if this is true, or is this one of those 'anecdotal stories' some people like to tell for dramatic effect? The 'unnamed' part concerns me. This could be an FoF kind of thing.

The professors are named, and this appears to be a mainstream publication, not a fringe one.

 

[Ping898]

Do we know if this is true, or is this one of those 'anecdotal stories' some people like to tell for dramatic effect? The 'unnamed' part concerns me. This could be an FoF kind of thing.

And can you really blame the kid for not wanting him name in this....Once I had real issues with the TSA and way they searched on of my bags, but my folks didn't want me to complain figuring I wouold end up on a list somewhere for causing trouble....

 

[Makalakumu]

Do we know if this is true, or is this one of those 'anecdotal stories' some people like to tell for dramatic effect? The 'unnamed' part concerns me. This could be an FoF kind of thing.

PM me if your interested and I'll tell you about my own little run in with the feds...

 

[Blotan Hunka]

This is the only version of the story I can see on google.

I would think this would be all over the news if it was true.

 

[sgtmac_46]

And can you really blame the kid for not wanting him name in this....Once I had real issues with the TSA and way they searched on of my bags, but my folks didn't want me to complain figuring I wouold end up on a list somewhere for causing trouble....

Well, since the Fed's already allegedly showed up at his door, what's he worried about? Publicity is the BEST defense....unless it's a lie, of course. Then it works best as a rumor. I remember when the Clinton's didn't like you, they sent the ATF to your door, armed with automatic weapons. Then they burnt the place to the ground, including the children. Then they told everyone they were 'doing it for the children'.

 

[Bob Hubbard]

Whats it cost to file a FOI inquiry?

 

[sgtmac_46]

Whats it cost to file a FOI inquiry?

It would be far easier if the kid would just come forward. This 'anonymous' stuff is getting old. What, we can call the president a war criminal on television, but we can't come forward and tell everyone the department of homeland security showed up at our house? I don't buy it. A little TOO contrived.

 

[michaeledward]

The story was reported locally in the New Bedford, Massachusetts papers.

sgtmac_46's skepticism has served him well.

It is now being reported that the student fabricated the story.


http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/12-05/12-24-05/a01lo719.htm

 

[sgtmac_46]

Now what have we all learned from this little episode?

 

[Bob Hubbard]

A: Check your sources
B: Get at least 2 seperate leads
C: That MartialTalk members, despite differences in thought, can work together and find the truth, thereby debunking the more "interesting" articles.

 

[sgtmac_46]

A: Check your sources
B: Get at least 2 seperate leads
C: That MartialTalk members, despite differences in thought, can work together and find the truth, thereby debunking the more "interesting" articles.

And Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays by the way.