Continuing on a path toward criminalizing political dissent. In The Post-American Presidency, there is a good deal of evidence showing how Obama and the people around him have a disturbing tendency to favor measures leading to that. “Pelosi clarifies call for look at funding of anti-mosque critics,” by Greg Sargent in the Washington Post, August 18 (thanks to Benedict):
Nancy Pelosi kicked off a bit of controversy on the right this morning when the news broke that she had told a local San Francisco radio station that she agreed with those calling for a look at how the groups opposing the “Ground Zero mosque” are being funded.
It was a bit unclear what she was referring to, and now her office sends over a statement from her clarifying what she meant and sort of standing by what she said:
“The freedom of religion is a Constitutional right. Where a place of worship is located is a local decision.
“I support the statement made by the Interfaith Alliance that ‘We agree with the ADL that there is a need for transparency about who is funding the effort to build this Islamic center. At the same time, we should also ask who is funding the attacks against the construction of the center.’
“For all of those expressing concern about the 9/11 families, we call upon them to join us in support of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act when Congress returns in September.”
[…]
Either way, Pelosi doesn’t seem to be calling for some kind of government investigation into the mosque’s critics, as thrilling as that would be to some on the right.
“Thrilling” is hardly the word I would use, and I don’t see how Sargent comes to the conclusion that she is just talking idly. In any case, as I said yesterday, come and get me, Nancy. I will gladly give you the records of the paltry sums behind my “campaign” against the mosque, as I am confident that they will be dwarfed by your expense account expenditures.