# Right-wing media fearmongering taken to its logical end **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 24, 2009, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310 "2009-09-24T00:09:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/161 "2009-09-29T12:24:01Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > The thing is, Broomstick isn’t wrong. The decision whether to prosecute a Census worker lies with (IIRC) the US attorney’s office. Just because there are exigent circumstances doesn’t mean the worker is automatically off the hook. The prosecutor may well decide to make an example of the worker, or use him as a test case to see what the law really means. There is also a culture of “don’t report anything because you can be prosecuted!11!!!111!!” which explains Broomstick’s reaction. > > In any event, I clearly said that a census worker could still face prosecution, but that he has a defense if there truly is a life-and-limb emergency, and the prosecutor still has the discretion not to pursue a case. But the defense might not work, and federal prosecutors may still file charges. The Census worker also has to hire an attorney at his own expense and go through the embarrassment of an arrest and (possibly) a trial. And, at minimum, the worker is pretty much guaranteed to lose his job. So the unspoken message is “Use your own best judgment, but be aware that there can still be consequences.” I suppose one question that Carol Stream could have asked but didn’t (because scoring points against people is so important to that poster) is “are there circumstances where you would risk jail time/fines for yourself rather than let a crime go unreported?” And the answer is yes - for example, if I saw someone in imminent danger of death I’d call 911 and damn the consequences. If someone was attacking me I’d call 911 because I’d rather be alive and in jail than dead in the gutter. I would like to believe that under such circumstances I would not be prosecuted, but I would be willing to accept the risk of that for a greater good. It’s rather like the time when I landed an airplane in someone’s backyard - I risked fines, revocation of my flying privileges, and possibly even jail time back then, but I felt the circumstances warranted an exception to the rule about landing only at airports (which is the law in Illinois, where this occurred). As it happens, the authorities agreed with my decision and I suffered no penalty. That doesn’t mean the little “discussion” the next day with the authorities was pleasant - it wasn’t - and it’s certainly nothing I’d want to do again but if faced with the same or similar circumstances I’d make the same choice, knowing that next time the decision might now be in my favor. If I were to run into circumstances while doing Census work that would conflict with their confidentiality rules possible consequences would certainly weigh in my decision making process, but would not in all circumstances rule out alerting authorities. The circumstances, however, would have to be VERY severe - i.e. imminent danger of death type stuff. The awareness that action Y has consequence X will not necessarily rule out action Y on my part given circumstances where I feel action Y is either the best course or the least bad choice on my part, though obviously the more severe X is the less likely I am to perform Y. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/162 "2009-09-29T13:43:48Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > The awareness that action Y has consequence X will not necessarily rule out action Y on my part given circumstances where I feel action Y is either the best course or the least bad choice on my part, though obviously the more severe X is the less likely I am to perform Y. Please stop with all this hysterical shrieking-I can’t stand it! ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/163 "2009-09-29T15:28:13Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Please stop with all this hysterical shrieking-I can’t stand it! I think I probably would understand it better if he made it into a graph. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/164 "2009-09-29T18:06:20Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > I think I probably would understand it better if he made it into a graph. **Broomstick** is a she. Female pilot - broomstick - get it ? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/165 "2009-09-30T04:01:23Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > In any event, I clearly said that a census worker could still face prosecution, but that he has a defense if there truly is a life-and-limb emergency, and the prosecutor still has the discretion not to pursue a case. “Could” face prosecution is a world of difference from “would” face prosecution, as Auntie Broomie claimed. In fact, is there any evidence that a Census worker has been prosecuted for reporting an emergency situation in the course of her duties? ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/166 "2009-09-30T04:07:56Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Carol, I cannot call you names, but I can gently request that you shut the fuck up until some Girl Scout at your door has mercy and gives you a quarter to buy a fucking clue about life outside your little bubble. Why not, everybody else does. Didn’t you start a pit thread calling your fellow SDSAB a troll? What gives? Also, No. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/167 "2009-09-30T04:14:13Z")
I didn’t bother with you because it’s obvious. Bricker often comes off as intelligent and cognizant of the world around him. You have always been a troll, and one of the stupidest form. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/168 "2009-09-30T04:16:22Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > I didn’t bother with you because it’s obvious. Bricker often comes off as intelligent and cognizant of the world around him. You have always been a troll, and one of the stupidest form. Put me on ignore then. You’re not a moderator. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/169 "2009-09-30T04:22:50Z")
No, I’m just one of the many here who see you as who you are: a hate-filled person without much more than genetics to support your claim for humanity. I’d call you a monster, but that would be supportive of your evil insanity while not describing exactly how insignificant you really are. You are a nothing, both here and in real life. I’m only wasting a couple of minutes on you because I have been slow to fall asleep lately. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/170 "2009-09-30T04:59:22Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > I’d call you a monster, but that would be supportive of your evil insanity while not describing exactly how insignificant you really are. I’m an evil, insane monster now? Wow. I suggest, in no uncertain terms, that you get over yourself. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/171 "2009-09-30T05:09:41Z")
No, you seem sane enough. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/172 "2009-09-30T11:14:35Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > “Could” face prosecution is a world of difference from “would” face prosecution, as Auntie Broomie claimed. In fact, is there any evidence that a Census worker has been prosecuted for reporting an emergency situation in the course of her duties? I can’t find anything on Google that isn’t about Sparkman. I’m through arguing this with you, because at this point, you’re arguing to argue. My point was twofold: That Census workers can be prosecuted for reporting emergencies, and that the Census culture actively discourages doing so for fear of being prosecuted. That probably wouldn’t stop the average Census worker from reporting a fire or violent crime, but there are a lot who wouldn’t. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/173 "2009-09-30T12:00:20Z")
One other thing. Most of the Census work is conducted once every ten years by a very large number of people who work for a few weeks to a couple of months. It’s not like there are hordes of Census workers out on the street every day of every year. So you’re also looking at the odds of a Census worker being at the scene of a fire or violent crime, which are infinitesimal at best, so therefore all of this is just semantics. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2009, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/174 "2009-10-01T03:41:39Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > My point was twofold: That Census workers can be prosecuted for reporting emergencies, and that the Census culture actively discourages doing so for fear of being prosecuted. That probably wouldn’t stop the average Census worker from reporting a fire or violent crime, **but there are a lot who wouldn’t**. Then there’s something seriously wrong with those workers, including Broomstick, who puts herself in that group by her own words. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2009, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/175 "2009-10-01T03:54:53Z")
Is this the right room for an argument? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2009, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/176 "2009-10-01T04:17:27Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Is this the right room for an argument? No, I’m sorry. This is Abuse Carol Stream. Argument is down the hall to your right. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2009, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/177 "2009-10-01T11:55:22Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > > [@MsRobyn](#): > > > > My point was twofold: That Census workers can be prosecuted for reporting emergencies, and that the Census culture actively discourages doing so for fear of being prosecuted. That probably wouldn’t stop the average Census worker from reporting a fire or violent crime, but there are a lot who wouldn’t. > > Then there’s something seriously wrong with those workers, including Broomstick, who puts herself in that group by her own words. Except, of course, that in post 161 I very clearly state that in matters of life or death I would report the problem and damn the consequences. In other words, you are lying about what I said. Not just distorting it, but outright _lying_ about it. Which proves you have a vendetta against me. It’s not simply that you disagree with me, but that you will resort to outright falsehood in order condemn me. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2009, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/178 "2009-10-01T14:32:35Z")
It gets worse, sadly. John Perry of Newsmax has just called for a [military coup](http://mediamatters.org/blog/200909300012) against the President. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2009, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/179 "2009-10-01T15:02:34Z")
Wow. Chicken Little has a blog? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310/180 "2009-10-01T15:30:57Z")
The irony is that most of the alarming thing Perry flags are more true of the previous administration than of the current one: the Constitution being trampled, a faltering economy increasingly dependent on foreign lenders, a “war” on the intelligence community, weakening American troop strength, multiple wars… Fortunately I have a bit more faith in the military than I do in Perry’s right-wing wankery. An America in which the military stages a coup is not the America the military have sworn to protect. They don’t have to personally like Obama but they can wait him out. Presidents change; America perseveres. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-media-fearmongering-taken-to-its-logical-end/511310.md?page=10)