CHESTERFIELD, VA— The Rutherford Institute has come to the defense of a former Marine, 26-year-old Brandon Raub, who was arrested, detained indefinitely in a psych ward and forced to undergo psychological evaluations based solely on the controversial nature of lines from song lyrics, political messages and virtual card games which he posted to his private Facebook page. Although the FBI and Chesterfield County police have not charged Brandon Raub, a resident of Chesterfield County, Va., with committing any crime, they arrested Raub on Thursday, August 16, 2012, and transported him to John Randolph Medical Center, where he was held against his will due to alleged concerns that his Facebook (FB) posts were controversial and "terrorist in nature."
In a hearing held at the hospital, government officials disregarded Raub's explanation that the Facebook posts were being interpreted out of context, sentencing him up to 30 days' further confinement in a VA psych ward. In coming to Raub's defense, Rutherford Institute attorneys are challenging Raub's arrest and forcible detention, as well as the government's overt Facebook surveillance and violation of Raub's First Amendment rights. "For government officials to not only arrest Brandon Raub for doing nothing more than exercising his First Amendment rights but to actually force him to undergo psychological evaluations and detain him against his will goes against every constitutional principle this country was founded upon. This should be a wake-up call to Americans that the police state is here," said John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute. "Brandon Raub is no different from the majority of Americans who use their private Facebook pages to post a variety of content, ranging from song lyrics and political hyperbole to trash talking their neighbors, friends and government leaders."
More @ NBC 12
The bad thing they go after the group who one on one can usually defend themselves, but as s group we tend to scatter to different groups, DAV, VFW, etc, etc, etc. There is no one strong voice defending the Veteran community.
ReplyDeleteIt will be found later the III, and Patriot communities have the same problem. BUT, lists are dangerous to participants, so what is the answer other than self preparation, training, and loose affilations?
self preparation, training, and loose affilations?
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head. Come to our fall PATCON if you are able.
Well BT, I'm hoping that end of September up North Idaho/Eastern Washington way that a gathering of some good folks get to chat a bit maybe during or after the preparedness expo in Spokane.
ReplyDeleteSure be nice to be in your neck o' the woods for yours, but unfortunately I cannot count on it.....
Yes, Sir, too far indeed and I hope y'all have a good turnout/time.
DeleteIt's a stretch, but I will make Spokane if at all possible. Anyone set up a meet up time/place/recognition signal yet?
DeleteSeems to be a rash/out break (whatever you want to call it) sweeping our country.
Deletehttp://www.homelandsecurityus.com/archives/6577
Yup.
DeleteSept. 30, downtown at the Spokane Convention Center during the Prepardness Expo. Just an informal little get together to get acquaninted, eat lunch together, visit a bit. Next summer, a full blown PatCom.
ReplyDeleteMiss Violet
I'll be looking forward to that! Guess we'll have to come up with a specific location (at the convention center) to "meet, greet n' eat"....
DeleteIf they can arrest you and hold you indefinitely in a mental institution for mental evaluation for controversial things that you have said then why don't they arrest Joe Biden.
ReplyDeleteBecause we already know he's an idiot.
Delete;)
Miss Violet
why don't they arrest Joe Biden.
ReplyDelete:)