Jersey Blogger Threatens CT Lawmakers

Outraged over state's "attack" of the Catholic Church

A New Jersey blogger and talk show host is getting the attention most folks who do what he does would love. Unfortunately, it's not positive attention. He called upon his readers to threaten two Connecticut lawmakers and a state ethics office employee.

Harold "Hal" Turner, 47, was angry about controversial legislation on Catholic parish finances and incited his blog readers "to take up arms" against Connecticut Sen. Andrew McDonald and State Rep. Michael Lawlor.

Turner has been referred to as a "shock blogger" in news reports.

According to his Web site, he planned on Wednesday to "talk about the attack by the State of Connecticut against the Catholic Church, and I'll give out some home address info for some State Officials."

“This is a direct government assault upon the Catholic Church, in absolute violation of the First Amendment to the Constitution for the United States,” Turner posted on his blog.

Capitol Police obtained an arrest warrant charging Turner with inciting injury to persons or property. Police in North Bergen, N.J. took Turner into custody Wednesday and he is scheduled to appear in court there Thursday for extradition to face the charges in Connecticut.

Turner posted a colorful commentary on his Website about the whole church bill situation:

“It is retaliating against citizens for exercising their right to petition for redress of grievances. This is tyranny and it must be put down,’ he wrote.

TRN advocates Catholics in Connecticut take up arms and put down this tyranny by force. To that end, THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT ON "THE HAL TURNER SHOW" we will be releasing the home addresses of the Senator and Assemblyman who introduced Bill 1098 as well as the home address of Thomas K. Jones from the OSE.

After all, if they are so proud of what they're doing, they shouldn’t mind if everyone knows where they live.

It is our intent to foment direct action against these individuals personally. These beastly government officials should be made an example of as a warning to others in government: Obey the Constitution or die.

If any state attorney, police department or court thinks they're going to get uppity with us about this; I suspect we have enough bullets to put them down too.

The state pushed; it is about to get pushed back. Elected and other government officials sometimes need to be put in their place. They serve; they do not rule. They need to learn their place or be put there by force.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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