Hypersensitive Cops Use Internet Stalking Law to Punish YouTube Meanie

[marmar]

from truthdig:



Hypersensitive Cops Use Internet Stalking Law to Punish YouTube Meanie
Posted on Aug 9, 2011

By Derek Lazzaro


In Renton, Wash., chief city prosecutor Shawn Arthur has signed a search warrant demanding that Google Inc., owner of YouTube, reveal the real name of one “Mrfuddlesticks,” a YouTube poster who allegedly committed the crime of “cyberstalking.”

The problem is that Mrfuddlesticks has done nothing wrong. What he, or she, has done is exercise the constitutionally protected right to free speech. The alleged crime was making eight cartoon videos—political parodies—that were critical of the City of Renton Police Department. It should be pointed out that the cartoons never mention any of the complainants in the search warrant by name, and that the cyberstalking law was designed to protect children and the victims of real harassment—not overzealous police officers.

The cartoons allege or parody a wide spectrum of misbehavior ranging from drunkenness, to general incompetence, to sexual harassment, to improper sexual relationships with suspects, to stealing evidence. The videos are a bit rude—offensive even. And as an apparent result, a Renton police officer swore under oath that three of his colleagues had become the victims of the new crime of cyberstalking, because, according to the warrant, there was language in the videos that was “meant to embarrass and emotionally torment the victims of the comments.”

Boohoo. Cry me a river. ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/hypersensitive_cops_use_child_safety_law_to_punish_youtube_meanie_20110809/

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. Warrant has already been suspended. It was posted here on DU last night

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