This is still America right?

O'Brien wrote: But, having the FBI determine you are crazy, show up without a warrant and cart you off to be detained for a month based solely on your online persona does seem to qualify. Other details notwithstanding - how is that ever OK but not an arrest-able offense for which a crime has been committed or probable cause established?

As I pointed out earlier, a mental health situation is a completely separate issue with the police. It is most assuredly possible for someone who is a danger to themselves or others to be taken into protective custody even if they have broken no laws. Again speaking from experience, they will do their best to convince the person to come in on their own but are prepared to take other measures if that is indicated.

As others have pointed out, we know only the tiny amount the media knows and what the guy's supporters have said. That means we don't know squat. That's how bad decisions are made: lack of data.

It's entirely possible that there were other incidents etc which led to this. But here's the rub: privacy laws prevent the police (which includes the FBI) from releasing that type of information. So no we do not know everything about this, and unless Brandon Raub allows it to be released we may never know. That is his right as an American citizen. It's why you sign all those medical privacy forms when you go in to have the doc stick his finger up your butt and tell you to cough.

The video shows him being put in a state police car, not an unmarked car or one marked as an FBI vehicle. There are two people with sunglasses who appear to be FBI agents, hard to tell from the jerky video but they do not appear to take an active role in his detainment. It seems that Virginia state law allows handcuffing someone who may harm themselves or others.

And I prefer Giant Purple Snorkelwacker. More opportunity for lulz that way.

Curmudgeon wrote: As I pointed out earlier, a mental health situation is a completely separate issue with the police. It is most assuredly possible for someone who is a danger to themselves or others to be taken into protective custody even if they have broken no laws. Again speaking from experience, they will do their best to convince the person to come in on their own but are prepared to take other measures if that is indicated.

Agreed. Detainment and arrest are two different things that can be executed by law enforcement. One you get booked into the criminal justice system, the other is for "your safety or the safety of others". Going to a mental health facility doesn't necessarily mean you are going to have charges brought up against you.

“Brandon Raub is no different from the majority of Americans who use their private Facebook pages to post a variety of content, ranging from song lyrics and political hyperbole to trash talking their neighbors, friends and government leaders."

This quote is full of win.

I also find it hilarious that people are scared that the government is monitoring Facebook posts. Are people under the impression that what is posted on Facebook is private?!? Do not post anything on Facebook that you would not want to be read by your mother, boss, priest (or other religious leader), significant other, or law enforcement.

And I will echo the people saying, this does trouble me, but I suspect there is more context to the story that we do not yet know about.

Anti-stance wrote:

Curmudgeon wrote: As I pointed out earlier, a mental health situation is a completely separate issue with the police. It is most assuredly possible for someone who is a danger to themselves or others to be taken into protective custody even if they have broken no laws. Again speaking from experience, they will do their best to convince the person to come in on their own but are prepared to take other measures if that is indicated.

Agreed. Detainment and arrest are two different things that can be executed by law enforcement. One you get booked into the criminal justice system, the other is for "your safety or the safety of others". Going to a mental health facility doesn't necessarily mean you are going to have charges brought up against you.

In fairness, going to a mental health facility doesn't necessarily mean the detainee won't have charges brought. It's more of an evaluation/cooling off period, to try to determine just how wack someone really is. If they are determined to be a complete head case, well, that's how people are found 'not guilty by reason of insanity'.

But (and again this is from experience) it is possible for someone to be evaluated, found to be competent but in need of help then still face criminal charges. Many times people are released and must stay on a court ordered regimen of counseling and/or medication, then during that time they are tried for their prior actions.

I'm not sure I should even post in this thread.

T.J. wrote: I'm not sure I should even post in this thread.

Were you followed?

It seems the original video was pulled over some sort of copyright thing. The one I saw on YouTube, which claims to be 'enhanced', has one thing that REALLY jumps out at me: it starts just as the state cops are getting him off the ground to put him in the back of the cop car. It does NOT show how he got there. Seems to me the person who posted the vid either didn't get the first part (hard to believe) or purposely edited out the part which could possibly bolster the case for his detainment (more likely IMHO).

Otto Maddox wrote: I think Rebel's point is that we have the right to say abolutely batE36 M3 crazy tin foil hat stuff without getting arrested.

Maybe for average joe civilian, but a Marine is held to a higher standard.

neon4891 wrote:

Otto Maddox wrote: I think Rebel's point is that we have the right to say abolutely batE36 M3 crazy tin foil hat stuff without getting arrested.

Maybe for average joe civilian, but a Marine is held to a higher standard.

Former Marine. As in ordinary citizen.

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

Yeah, but he knows, ummm, stuff.

He's been detained so Big Sis and her minions can pick his brain and find out more, ummm, stuff before all the PO'd vets can mount their revolution.

Besides, it's nice distraction from that pesky sexual harassment lawsuit that would be even more embarrassing if the media wanted to cover it.

oldsaw wrote: Besides, it's nice distraction from that pesky sexual harassment lawsuit that would be even more embarrassing if the media wanted to cover it.

You mean the one where they sold guns to mexican drug dealers in exchange for sexual favors?

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

oldsaw wrote: Besides, it's nice distraction from that pesky sexual harassment lawsuit that would be even more embarrassing if the media wanted to cover it.

You mean the one where they sold guns to mexican drug dealers in exchange for sexual favors?

My mental image of drug dealers doesn't fit with someone you would want to receive sexual favors from.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

neon4891 wrote:

Otto Maddox wrote: I think Rebel's point is that we have the right to say abolutely batE36 M3 crazy tin foil hat stuff without getting arrested.

Maybe for average joe civilian, but a Marine is held to a higher standard.

Former Marine. As in ordinary citizen.

That's true, with an exception. Ex military are supposed to not talk about some stuff (intelligence, etc) and can be held accountable if they talk, even if they are now a private citizen. I'm not suggesting this guy was doing that, BTW.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

oldsaw wrote: Besides, it's nice distraction from that pesky sexual harassment lawsuit that would be even more embarrassing if the media wanted to cover it.

You mean the one where they sold guns to mexican drug dealers in exchange for sexual favors?

Boyoboy, is this ever getting OT: http://thekansascitian.blogspot.com/2011/11/barack-obama-accused-by-two-men-of.html

In reply to Curmudgeon:

Wrong inference.

Try this one: http://sexual-harassments.org/sexual-harassment-retaliation-complaints-rise-dhs-2/

In reply to Curmudgeon:

Whoa. I missed that whole thing. Not that I care if the Prez said some uncomfortable things to some guys who should have just punched him in the throat instead of boo-hooing themselves a paycheck way back in the 80's but.... since we are way far off topic already....

Just a kneejerk without looking for more info - with the amount of scrutiny this guy has had to undergo from the opposition I find the timing of painting him as a closet homo a bit too convenient and on target to their base's magic button. Other than video of him aborting a fetus with a big smile I can't think of anything more powerful to get the midwest reds out to the ballot box.

In reply to oldsaw:

Yeah, I was sorta out in left field. Not the first time.

FWIW: several years ago there was an employee where I worked (different department) who filed a sexual harassment claim, saying the techs made numerous gay jokes and that made him uncomfortable. Anyone who's ever worked in a dealership service dept knows that, for good or bad, that's pretty much a ongoing thing.

He received a sizeable settlement and moved on. It was only after he left that we discovered he'd done the same thing at least twice before.

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

I dunno if the allegations were true or not, but see my reply to oldsaw.

The latest on this:

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/citizen-warrior/2012/aug/23/judge-orders-brandon-raub-released-hospital/

Guess all them Fibbies and cops muscling this guy don't have the firepower they are said to have. I just hope he doesn't wind up in a tower somewhere with an AK47.

Where was the ACLU on this? Guess it didn't fit their political stance...

Anti-stance wrote: Where was the ACLU on this? Guess it didn't fit their political stance...

I think you're on to something here

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: In reply to Curmudgeon: Whoa. I missed that whole thing. Not that I care if the Prez said some uncomfortable things to some guys who should have just punched him in the throat instead of boo-hooing themselves a paycheck way back in the 80's but.... since we are way far off topic already.... Just a kneejerk without looking for more info - with the amount of scrutiny this guy has had to undergo from the opposition I find the timing of painting him as a closet homo a bit too convenient and on target to their base's magic button. Other than video of him aborting a fetus with a big smile I can't think of anything more powerful to get the midwest reds out to the ballot box.

Hold on, cowboys! If you click on the source link in the story, it takes you to a Herman Cain harassment story. It is a joke.

In reply to Otto Maddox:

http://www.conservativecommune.com/2011/11/obama-sexual-harassment-parody-taken-seriously/

In reply to Otto Maddox:

I totally missed the parody part - I have got to stop working and pay more attention to the internets! I'm slipping.

From today's news:

HOPEWELL, Va. (WTVR) – A Hopewell circuit court judge has ordered that a Marine veteran detained over anti-government Facebook posts be released from a psychiatric hospital. CBS 6 News’ Catie Beck said the Judge Allan Sharrett dismissed the case Thursday against Brandon Raub. The judge said the original petition for Raub’s detention contained no facts. In other words, there was no information on why Raub was being held — and the judge deemed this violated his civil liberties. As a result, the judge ruled the government had no grounds to hold Raub.

Full story: http://wtvr.com/2012/08/23/brandon-raub-judge-orders-release-of-detained-marine-veteran-freed/