Conservative Activist Arrested After Bugging Attempt on Senate Office
by Jonathan Singer, Tue Jan 26, 2010 at 05:01:33 PM EST
What is this country coming to?
Alleging a plot to tamper with phones in Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu's office in the Hale Boggs Federal Building in downtown New Orleans, the FBI arrested four people Monday, including James O'Keefe, 25, a conservative filmmaker whose undercover videos at ACORN field offices severely damaged the advocacy group's credibility.Also arrested were Joseph Basel, Stan Dai and Robert Flanagan, all 24. Flanagan is the son of William Flanagan, who is the acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, the office confirmed. All four were charged with entering federal property under false pretenses with the intent of committing a felony.
This is seriously scary stuff. An arrest is not a conviction, and allegations are not stone cold facts. But if what appears to have happened actually happened, we have real reason to be concerned about the direction in which this country is going.
The dangers involved in these allegations cannot be overstated. If proven, they represent a shot across the bow to our Democratic system, a signal that some believe themselves to be above the Constitution and our laws. Again, if proven, today's news would represent a very sad day for our democracy.
[UPDATE by Jonathan]: Media Matters reports that 31 House Republicans -- more than one-sixth of the party's caucus -- backed a resolution honoring O'Keefe not all that long ago.
Tags: Conservatives (all tags)









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