Secret Service Eyes Racist Hate Mail in Georgia

[maddezmom]

Secret Service Eyes Racist Hate Mail
Read Comments (91)Recommend (0)Print Article Email Article Larger Smaller Updated 10/17/2008 12:39:18 AM
Posted By: Michael King
Reported by: Kevin Rowson


CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. -- Think of going to your mail box and finding a letter that threatens your life. That's what has happened to several residents of a neighborhood in Clayton County.

The letters are the subject of a hate crime investigation and now the Secret Service is involved -- that's because some of the letters include threats to the life of a presidential candidate. The letter targets people for their specific race or ethnicity.

Debbie Johnson says she was one of the first people to move into the Bear Creek neighborhood 23 years ago. The bucolic neighborhood that surrounds a small lake has been a peaceful respite away from the hustle and bustle of the city. She said she has never been more devastated by what is happening to her and her neighbors.

"I was in shock," she said. "I was embarrassed -- I was devastated to think someone actually thinks like that."

Someone is putting hate letters in several residents' mail boxes. Part of it has attracted the attention of the US Secret Service -- a threat to get rid of Barack Obama if he gets into the White House.

Secret Service Special agent Forrest Pruitt dictated a statement to 11Alive News: "The Secret Service takes any threats directed toward presidential candidates very seriously and will investigate this matter as a top priority."


more:http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=122471&catid=3

[kirby]

1. Where is the Postmaster General?

Putting 'mail' in someones box without a stamp is also a felony.

[noonwitch]

3. I had someone once throw a hate thing on my driveway, when my black friend was staying overnight

I called the phone number on the flyer (after dialing *67)and left a message that said 1. I am armed, 2. If I find anything like this in my yard again, I'm giving it to the police and 3. If I actually catch you in the act of leaving such hate-filled crap on my property, I will send my dog after you.

It never happened again to me.

[Dogtown]

4. Postal Inspectors

are federal investigators working for the USPS. They have a narrow range of duties, and take them *VERY* seriously.

This is def in their jurisdiction.

[jonestonesusa]

2. Thanks for posting this.

I hope that more people recognize how much prejudice is lurking below the surface as we prepare for this historic election. In the longer term Obama's candidacy will help America reach its vision of racial justice, but in the shorter term there will undoubtedly be incidents like these.

[rvablue]

5. K&R

This disgraceful news just keeps building and building and building.

When is the damn going to break?

Where is McCain. You know, last night on Dave L., all he could say about this garbage was that Obama supporters are doing the same thing....and we aren't!

The tone of this is starting to scare me personally and sorry for thinking of myself and family and friends when Obama is the one they are targeting, but what is all of this vitriol going to come to after Election Day???

I'm scared!!