Facebook Poll Asks "Should Obama Be Killed?"
By anniepa
@anniepa (27955)
United States
September 30, 2009 12:25am CST
I'm a bit surprised there hasn't been a discussion on this topic here before this. If by any chance there WAS and I missed it, I apologize! Anyway, when I heard about this on TV I couldn't quite believe it; I knew something like this would get the attention of the Secret Service and that even if whoever put it there was "only joking", these things are taken QUITE seriously these days! You can read it here for yourself:
The U.S. Secret Service is investigating an online survey that asked whether people thought President Barack Obama should be assassinated, officials said Monday.
The poll, posted Saturday on Facebook, was taken off the popular social networking site quickly after company officials were alerted to its existence. But, like any threat against the president, Secret Service agents are taking no chances.
"We are aware of it and we will take the appropriate investigative steps," said Darrin Blackford, a Secret Service spokesman. "We take of these things seriously."
The poll asked respondents "Should Obama be killed?" The choices: No, Maybe, Yes, and Yes if he cuts my health care.
The question was not created by Facebook, but by an independent person using an add-on application that has been suspended from the site.
"The third-party application that enabled an individual user to create the offensive poll was brought to our attention this morning," said Barry Schnitt, Facebook's spokesman for policy.
Because the application was disabled, the responses to the nonscientific polls are not available.
"We're working with the U.S. Secret Service, but they'll need to provide any details of their investigation," Schnitt said.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33060855/ns/technology_and_science-security/
How seriously do YOU think something like this should be taken by the Secret Service and other federal agencies? If and when they find the responsible party or parties, what do you think should be done to them?
Annie
2 people like this
25 responses
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
30 Sep 09
Now WHAT freaking idiot put THAT up? I doubt much will come of it anyways, but they will probably at least pay the moron a visit. Tey should haul his stupid agent provaceteur asss in for questioning and maybe scare the crap outta him at least.
2 people like this
@us2owls (1681)
• United States
30 Sep 09
I am in the UK at present and most people that I have talked to, while they do not advocate his assassination practically all of them feel that this is what will happen. They also believe that when it does happen it will be someone who is of the same race as Obama - black. I do not want him for president but one has to consider those two beautiful little girls. I want to see him gone either through impeachment, or being voted out of office.
@us2owls (1681)
• United States
30 Sep 09
I wasn't trying to bring race into the discussion but everyone I have talked to here about him thinks that is what will happen and one of those people is black - in fact much darker than Mr. Obama. I have yet to have a conversation with a person that has said they like him and think he is doing a good job.
@mac1946 (1602)
• Calgary, Alberta
1 Oct 09
I have read all the remarks made to this one,and most are of the same opinion,the secret service is looking into it.
first off,anyone actually thinking of committing this kind of act would not advertize the fact,they would know the SS would be looking for them as well as upgrade the security around him.
As for one individual voting a president out of office,is basically impossible.
I am stopping here,as politics is not my favorite discussion.( I hate all polititions)they are nothing but crooks.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
30 Sep 09
From what I've read, it seems the Secret Service is handling this situation perfectly. They don't seem to be calling for anyone's head, or even out to throw anyone in prison just for saying something stupid on a Facebook add on.
On the other hand, they are taking it seriously enough to investigate who posted it, and anyone who posted statements threatening the president's life.
So far I'm pretty impressed with how the Secret Service has handled the deep divisions in our society right now. They have done well at balancing our rights to self expression and their responsibilities to protect the president.
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
30 Sep 09
I also agree that Secret Service it do a good job. Especially as they have almost double the amount of threats against President Obama's life as any previous president.
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
30 Sep 09
oops sorry..s/r is doing a good job...
1 person likes this
@megaplaza (1441)
• Nigeria
30 Sep 09
Poor minds, why assasinate him. For God sake that man is a father and a hubby to someone. Well, i know he has received more threat than any other american president. I hope this is not what i think, maybe they hate the color and not really the policy. The developer of that app is a white and that goes a long way to explain somethings.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
30 Sep 09
I certainly hope it's not what you're implying but it's wrong no matter what the reason was. It was probably some idiot that thought it would be a "cool" thing to do for kicks and to see what kind of response he got. Whatever, it's wrong and shouldn't be overlooked, that's for sure.
Annie
@megaplaza (1441)
• Nigeria
30 Sep 09
@xfactor, yes yes yes yes it is. I can't stand a white telling me that african is hell on earth, all sorts of disease originated from there, while i was just discussing about something that happened in my country. Someone said america helped Nigeria and they get scam in return from us. I said alrite, what about our doctors, scientists, professors, nurses, engineers, and others that add positive value to ur country. Why talk as if we don't have white fraudsters. Yellow kid wasn't a black man, even whites participate in it. What do you say about the imprisonment of nelson mandela and apartheid in south africa. Lets discuss that and she said no way, africans are criminals and that a racist for asking these questions. Well i am, so for me it's always about race. You need to walk in my shoes for a mile to understand why i act the way i do. Am not what you think, but will defend my race with what i have(non-violently).
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
1 Oct 09
Hi Annie, I think that all of this should be taken very serious. There are always those who would kill the President of the United States of America, no matter who he is, just because of his position as the leader of the world's most powerful nation. He is also democratically elected which is certainly not true in some countries. Unfortunately Obama seems to have more enemies than most, and many people feel that he isn't getting the same respect that a white man would get. I don't know if this is true or not, but certainly many people think so. While I know that the majority of Americans are not racist, it would seem logical to assume that the first black president would have more enemies. As to what should be done to those people, I would leave that to the proper authorities who I'm sure know their job well. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
3 Oct 09
I know the whole idea of whether racism is behind any of the hatred towards Obama is a really touchy subject around here. Obviously, nobody wants it even implied that they're a racist, and I can understand that. To me that's one of the worst, most ignorant things a person could be. How can ANYONE think they're superior to other human beings because of race or the color of their skin? However, I don't think it's so much "typical" racism in a small minority of cases. I mean, if we had a black (or biracial, as some feel the need to constantly point out) President but he had a more common, "All-American" sounding name and a more ordinary background there may not be so much hate and distrust or whatever it is that drives these people. There were plenty of people who couldn't stand Bush and plenty that couldn't stand Clinton but it wasn't the same. Their loyalty to their country was never questioned.
Annie
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
30 Sep 09
I saw that issue yesterday morning and I was really shocked. I do not care if it was regarding Obama or any other member of our government it was a dangerous question to ask. Who knows what kind of nut case it could incite to actually do the deed. If was was intended to be a joke (which I do not believe it was) I certainly did not find it funny. I think the FBI should investigate and perhaps punish the person/people responsible under a treason act.
IMO if you do not like or agree with any high government official then DO NOT vote for them. You, the people, put them in the job so just vote them out of it do not try to incite assassination.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
30 Sep 09
You're right! People who don't like or disagree with this President or anyone else in government at any time can vote and even campaign against them, attend town hall meetings, write letters, go to rallies or tea parties or any other ways they wish to express their disapproval but violence is never the answer.
Annie
@twallace (2675)
• United States
1 Oct 09
Something that I didn't like about this is that they couldn't find the source linkof the poll and that was nor a good thing. It was not a joke at all or even close to being funny. I didn't think that would have been something that would have been polled on facebook of all places. But it lets you know that there are those that are not happy at all with Obama in office. They would do what they can to discredit the man in more ways than one.
Since he has come in office they have given him a hard time on trying to change things for the people. Which has been blocked in everyway in more ways than one. Which really shows that the support that he has coming into office is some what running thin. The sad thing is that it's being made public and all in the news. The slightest thing that the president does is discredited from all angles.
What is amazing to me is that when others were in office they didn't give them such a hard time. Or is it like other presidents did what there friends wanted them too. I mean is that they problem that they thought he would do what they may have wanted. Now that he is in office he had real issues that he wanted to work on and it's become a problem for those well of that will be left out it those changes are made?
Now all of a sudden a poll on one of the post popular social networks post a poll of should he be? That is more than what they should have even allowed. They know it was wrong just like all of the other things that they have done against the president. Where is the support that he needs and right now not getting.
1 person likes this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
30 Sep 09
Well, I am sorta torn about this one because, some people are just stupid but, then some are easily influenced by others. I would normally chalk it up to people being stupid and not using any common sense but, this whole health care reform has made so many people lose their minds that something as ignorant as this could send someone unstable person over the edge.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
30 Sep 09
I agree. We all know a stable person would never go out and commit an act of violence because of something they saw online or heard on TV or whatever but what about those who are NOT stable? We also certainly should know there are plenty of them around!
Annie
@6precious102 (4043)
• United States
1 Oct 09
Of course the Secret Service should take it seriously, and after doing a full investigation if there's clear and convincing evidence of a legitimate threat against the President the responsible party or parties should be prosecuted to the full extend of the law.
@grandpa_lash (5225)
• Australia
30 Sep 09
I can actually imagine myself thinking about doing a poll like that just to find out how many real whackos there are out there, but I imagine common sense would interpose itself. But I think it should be investigated.
Lash
1 person likes this
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
30 Sep 09
I heard about this on TV today and I think its disgusting and the authorites should be involved in tracking who posted this and the person or people involved should be looked into. If anything maybe fined. I have never heard of such balant disregard for the President of our country. This should not or never be allowed to happen in the first place. They don't like our President then maybe they will be happy living in another country. Let them all move far far away.
1 person likes this
@Sweetchariot (1718)
• United States
30 Sep 09
Unfortunately, when you have all these internet sites, that allow for anyone to put anything up, it's going to happen. As much as I like this site, the internet is grossly abused, and there should be more restrictions...maybe a minimum age limit. It seems that the youth think they are only joking around when they post absurd comments, they don't seem to realize the consequences of their actions.
However, the Obama question could have been from some adult who is totally against Obama.
Either way, there should be much more restrictions on the internet.
1 person likes this
@EnglishTeaDuck (862)
• United States
30 Sep 09
What is bizarre is that people who are discussing the whole healthcare thing and other policies are all saying 'this is wrong because....' or this is right because...' and saying certain ways, on either side, are immoral.....then someone comes up with such a great solution - since we agree that some of his policies are wrong, lets kill him.....so it doesn't occur to them there may be something just a little bit ethically dodgy about that?!!
Whether we agree with him or not, at least he has tried to do something in his life he believes in, and he is a husband and father. Imagine what its like for those little girls knowing their Dad, because of his job, is at risk of being assassinated by some nutter.
People are sick. At least half the country think the President is evil at any given time, whatever President it is! The solution really isn't to bump off all the ones we don't like, there wouldn't be any left!
1 person likes this
@Eisenherz (2908)
• Portugal
1 Oct 09
I don't see anything wrong with that poll. It's the same as gathering friends as randomly say "that person should die". Take it easily. It's just a poll. On a social network over the internet. I'm sure the Obama administration has more serious threats to deal with daily than the delusionals of virtual no-lifers.
@bdugas (3578)
• United States
1 Oct 09
With the wackos running around out there in the world, I would be willing to bet that one of them, just might try to knock off Obama, and make a name for his self in the news. While I think polls like this, sometimes lets us know what people are thinking of such a person, it is to easy for some dumwit to try to make it happen. There is always a person that will make up such a poll or remark, I believe it is for attention, and he just might get the attention that he seeks. Of course they do not want you to see the responses, but I can probably know what the top answer would be. I think a lot of people are discussted with how Obama is running the country and his ideas.
@iriscot (1289)
• United States
30 Sep 09
It's another example of hate and racist organizations trying to get something dissastous started. Some wacko out there is probably just waiting for some support to try and pull it off. I hope they find the SOB and lock him up for 20 or 30 years.
Now who, on this board will defend such a dastardly act that was up on Facebook?
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
30 Sep 09
Na. Because hate groups usually want to stir things up without getting the blame for it. But with Obama anytime anything is said the hate groups are the first to get blamed for everything. Which allows others do it and let them take the blame.
THis was one stupid person that thought they were being funny. Looks like the joke is on him (or her) when the secret service gets a hold of him (or her).
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
30 Sep 09
no one will. Because it was not only completely illegal but also because it is also morally wrong.
Just because you don't agree with someone's politics does mean you get to threaten their life.
I dont think it is an example of "hate or racist organizations". I think it is a stupid person who thought it would be "cute" or "funny" to put it up. He or she probly did it for attention. OH he or she is going to get ALOT of attention....from the secret service...which is probly not the kind of attention that person was looking for but is certainly going to get. But in a way that person got their way.....CNN is talking about...we are talking about it here in this chatroom, everyone is talking about it. Whoever it is is getting their 15 minutes of fame and putting us all in an uproar....all over something they put up on a social website. Hope it is worth it to whoever it is when he or she is sitting in jail charged with making threats againt the president.
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
2 Oct 09
I think it should be taken very seriously, although, I don't have a clue what an appropriate punishment should be. I know you're weren't suppose to make threats on the President, but since Hollywood make a movie about killing George W. Bush, I don't know what is considered legal and illegal anymore. Wait a minute, I forgot, Hollywood is allow to behave badly. It's the rest of us who have to obey the laws of the land.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
3 Oct 09
"Hollywood" did NOT make any such movie. I think it was made in the UK but I'm not sure. I don't know what the appropriate punishment for something like this should be either. Reading the responses here has made me even more confused. I mean, one person says they should be prosecuted to the "fullest extent of the law" and put in prison for a long time and I think, "Yep, I agree," then someone else says they should be punished but not given a real harsh sentence and I think that makes sense, too. I guess it depends on who it is and what kind of a person it is. If it's just a kid who thought it would be a funny prank, I don't think he should go unpunished but I also don't think his life should be ruined either. Whoever it was needs to be taught a good lesson.
Annie
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
1 Oct 09
That is very serious that should be taken into account. Because that is life of the President. Most especially the President of the United States of America. Those person really have the intention to destabilize the reputation of President Obama...People like them should put to jail, my friend. They have no respect for humanity...This is my opinion with this, my friend...take care
@andy77e (5156)
• United States
1 Oct 09
My father went on a Washington D.C. trip with the senior class of the high school where he taught.
While in a federal building, one of the kids started acting like an idiot in front of a security camera. An agent walked out of the security room and told him he better shape up, at which point the idiot cussed at him.
In a second there were three agents on this kid, hand cuffed, searched him, and then dragged him by both arms into the security room, and shut the door, all while my father, the other teachers and the entire senior class stood there dumbfounded.
Parents have failed to teach their kids to respect authority. Whether it is a boss at work, a police officer, or even president of the US.
Hopefully the SS will nail this idiot to the wall. Oddly, I don't remember this level of criticism when similar threats were leveled against Bush. Makes me wonderful if the interest in the story is more about politics than right and wrong.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
3 Oct 09
I'd never heard of this kind of poll when Bush was in office. I'm not saying it never happened but not that I was aware of. Since there has been a 400% increase in threats against Obama as compared to previous Presidents, Idon't think it can be taken lightly.
Annie
@andy77e (5156)
• United States
3 Oct 09
I do, which is part of the problem. The left is only concerned about threats against the president, if it happens to be "their guy". When it's someone they don't like, then it's simply young people expressing their opinion, and being involved in the political process.
The very fact you either don't know about, or don't remember, the threats against Bush, makes my point. Without a doubt, if Bush had been a Democrat, and leftist, you would have known and heard about every case of threats against Bush.
