The strange case of blogger Hal Turner may offer the American people an opportunity to better understand the concept of a government controlling its own opposition. Turner is facing federal charges for allegedly making threats against federal judges and state lawmakers, but his case — regardless of its outcome — raises fundamental questions about the state of the nation.
According to the Associated Press report, “Hal Turner worked for the FBI from 2002 to 2007 as an ‘agent provocateur’ and was taught by the agency ‘what he could say that wouldn’t be crossing the line,’ defense attorney Michael Orozco said. ‘His job was basically to publish information which would cause other parties to act in a manner which would lead to their arrest,’ Orozco said.”
In 2005, the left-wing publication The Nation ran an extended article by Max Blumenthal that recited episodes of Turner’s rants, and endeavored to link him to the rising career of radio talk-show host, Sean Hannity, referring to Turner as “Hannity’s Soul-Mate of Hate.” However, what neither Blumenthal nor Hannity could have suspected in 2005 was what Turner’s attorney now alleges: that at that very moment, Turner was a tool of government agents.
According to the AP report, “Prosecutors have acknowledged that Turner was an informant who spied on radical right-wing organizations, but the defense has said Turner was not working for the FBI when he allegedly made threats against Connecticut legislators and wrote that three federal judges in Illinois deserved to die.” What Turner’s defense alleges, however, is that the incidents that now serve as the basis of charges against him are not materially different from the actions that he undertook in the employ of the federal government.
Regardless of the outcome of the case against Turner, the American people can learn several valuable lessons. First, it is vital that concerned citizens do not allow zeal or anger over events or issues to move them to speak or act in violation of the law. There are many avenues of legitimate political activity and dissent that do not “cross the line.” Second, people should remember that those who may urge them to act in violation of the law may themselves be agents of law enforcement attempting to “bait” them. Third, succumbing to such “baiting” may lead to personal tragedy and damage the very cause that the beguiled citizen sought to aid.
Any government that can successfully control its opposition is free to manipulate such “opposition” into serving the policies of the State. Concerned citizens of the American Republic are far better served by careful study of the issues and informed and coordinated activity befitting of the heirs of the Founding Fathers that actually advances the restoration of our conservative, constitutional principles of governance and ordered liberty.
Photo: AP Images
