From ISRA: Kotowski using ISP?

[Blaster]

Link to Article

 

The ISRA is expressing great concern over reports that Illinois State

Police (ISP) detectives have been visiting the homes of people who phoned

or faxed Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) to express opposition to gun

control legislation sponsored by the senator. The ISRA has recently

conducted a thorough investigation into one complaint, and is gathering

additional information on as many as several dozen other reported incidents

of police questioning citizens who have spoken out against gun control

legislation.

In the case investigated thus far, the respondent reports that ISP

detectives arrived at his home, unannounced, and informed him that their

visit was in response to faxes he sent to Sen. Kotowski. The detectives

then went on to ask the citizen questions about his mental health and other

personal matters. Although the citizen was not arrested, he reports that he

feels that the detectives were there to deliver the message that it's not a

good idea to criticize Dan Kotowski or the gun control measures Kotowski

supports.

"The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of

citizens to petition the government for the redress of grievances," said

ISRA Executive Director, Richard Pearson. "Of course, the manner in which

citizens exercise that right must not include any threats of harm against

elected officials."

"When we first heard about the ISP visits to homes of people who had

sent faxes to Sen. Kotowski, we were concerned that some folks may have

acted inappropriately," continued Pearson. "However, upon inspection of the

faxes in question, we see absolutely no reason for the ISP to visit

citizens' homes -- other than to possibly put a damper on the citizen's

desire to participate in the legislative process."

"At this time, we are asking Sen. Kotowski to produce any evidence he

may have which illustrates threatening behavior on the part of citizens who

have received ISP visits," said Pearson. "If Sen. Kotowski cannot produce

any such evidence, then we will be asking Attorney General Madigan to

conduct an investigation into the apparent use of the ISP to suppress the

First Amendment rights of persons who express opposition to gun control

legislation."

The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and

responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the

interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners.

[Federal Farmer]

Well, it only makes sense that as they take away our 2nd Amendment rights they take away 1st Amendment rights as well.

[c-rock]

if they could,

 

they put us all into re-education camps.

[Don Gwinn]

Oh, Dan . . . . will you never learn? What an assclown.

 

What kind of bugs me is that I didn't get a visit. I live less than an hour from the state ISP headquarters over there on I55, I teach children for a living, and I write a blog called "The Armed Schoolteacher." What does it take to get repressed in this state, anyway? Srsly you guyz.

 

If he thought he was getting phone calls and faxes before . . . . I'm tempted to call him up and do the Dale Gribble voice:

"You don't know who I am but I know where you live . . . ."

But I've probably pushed that joke as far as it can go; I used to sign in at the security desk at the state Capitol building as "Rusty Shackleford."

[45superman]

Great blog, Don! Your blog is definitely going to be a daily stop for me from now on.

 

Oh, and for anyone who wants to drop Kotowski a (non-threatening) call or FAX, (if you don't mind a visit from the Illinois State Police) here you go--

Springfield office: (217) 782-3875

District office: (847) 797-1192

District office FAX: (847) 797-1195

 

Keep the FAX (and maybe record phone calls), so you can prove no threat was made.

[Air Commando]

Definitely a good blog, brought a smile to my face reading your stuff. Keep up all the good work.

[oneshot]

If it really is true that this person made no threat whatsoever, Kowtowski needs to be run out of office and put up on charges. There is no way any freedom loving American should tolerate even the hint of such gestapo like tactics, no matter what their opinion on gun issues.

[Ashdump]

If he thought he was getting phone calls and faxes before . . . . I'm tempted to call him up and do the Dale Gribble voice:

"You don't know who I am but I know where you live . . . ."

But I've probably pushed that joke as far as it can go; I used to sign in at the security desk at the state Capitol building as "Rusty Shackleford."

 

 

Man, the dang 'ol cop car come 'rollin up, you know, the dang 'ol lights, a 'goin WOO WOO, 'talkin bout, I need to see your FOID card, gotta get my dang'ol guns out. (Boomhauer)

 

I'll tell ya what, I sell propane and propane accesaries. (Hank)

 

 

 

I love King of the Hill!!!!!

 

Yep

[SmershAgent]

Having not seen the faxes, I can't really opine much. My initial reaction was that some idiot said he wanted to kill Kotowski and now we're all going to look bad, but the ISRA seemingly has verified that isn't the case.

 

It wouldn't surprise me that someone like Kotowski would become frustrated when he realized how many thousands of people were outraged by his agenda and try to intimidate them. However, do braying, upstart State Senators who have been in office less than a year really have the clout to send the ISP on errands like this? Maybe they do, but there may well be more to this story than meets the eye.

 

I am very eager to learn more details.

[Ocellairs]

Having not seen the faxes, I can't really opine much. My initial reaction was that some idiot said he wanted to kill Kotowski and now we're all going to look bad, but the ISRA seemingly has verified that isn't the case.

 

It wouldn't surprise me that someone like Kotowski would become frustrated when he realized how many thousands of people were outraged by his agenda and try to intimidate them. However, do braying, upstart State Senators who have been in office less than a year really have the clout to send the ISP on errands like this? Maybe they do, but there may well be more to this story than meets the eye.

 

I am very eager to learn more details.

 

 

I'm sure it has been done in the past where an anti made the call, posing as a pro-2nd person.

[lockman]

if they could,

 

they put us all into re-education camps.

 

Its called public education! :Angry!:

[lockman]

If it really is true that this person made no threat whatsoever, Kowtowski needs to be run out of office and put up on charges. There is no way any freedom loving American should tolerate even the hint of such gestapo like tactics, no matter what their opinion on gun issues.

 

That was the first word that came to my mind too; "gestapo".

[ilphil]

Damn, I've been on vacation down in FL for 10 days and come back to seeing this crap.

What the heck is going on in this God forsaken state?

They can't pass a budget, can't work out a deal on utility rates, can't pass property tax reform, can't figure out how to educate the children or pay the state's bills, but they can send the ISP out to harass and intimidate opponents.

If Blago starts growing a cheesy Hitler-like mustache it is definitely time to get out of here.

[Ashdump]

Once we have all of the facts, we will make political hay out of this. We have gang-bangers, dealers, thieves, thugs and rapists running amok, and the ISP is wasting their time harassing lawful citizens? I plan to talk to my Representative and Senator about this.

[Lou]

Once we have all of the facts, we will make political hay out of this. We have gang-bangers, dealers, thieves, thugs and rapists running amok, and the ISP is wasting their time harassing lawful citizens? I plan to talk to my Representative and Senator about this.

 

 

I just called his local office and talked to some lady who SWEARS that it was just one instance where the ISP investigated a threat. She tells me he has already respouded to the ISRA press release. I can hardly wait to see the spin put on it.

 

It's sad that with the caliber of politicians and the dirty trick they routinely pull to further their agendas that a story like this sounds so far fetched but totally believable at the same time.

[abolt243]

I just called his local office and talked to some lady who SWEARS that it was just one instance where the ISP investigated a threat. She tells me he has already respouded to the ISRA press release. I can hardly wait to see the spin put on it.

 

It's sad that with the caliber of politicians and the dirty trick they routinely pull to further their agendas that a story like this sounds so far fetched but totally believable at the same time.

 

How 'bout a copy of the fax with the "threat" in it?? The guy that was visited says there was no threat. Seems that it would be easy to confirm, one way or another.

 

AB

[abolt243]

My biggest fear is that this whole thing will get spun out, swept under the rug and forgotten!! Who's working on this???

 

AB