You all remember Sean Hannity's buddy Hal Turner, the neo-Nazi nutcase whose favorite activity is threatening various public officials, most notably federal judges -- though most recently he was also publicizing his empty threats to wreak havoc at President Obama's inauguration.
Well, it looks like the threats finally caught up with him:
Radio host Hal Turner — accused of hosting a website that incited Connecticut Catholics to "take up arms" and singling out two Connecticut lawmakers and a state ethics official — was taken into custody in New Jersey late today after state Capitol police obtained an arrest warrant for him.
Turner, who has been identified as a white supremacist and anti-Semite by several anti-racism groups, hosts an Internet radio program with an associated blog. Last week, the blog included a post that promised to release the home addresses of state Rep. Michael Lawlor, state Sen. Andrew McDonald and Thomas Jones of the ethics office.
"Mr. Turner's comments are above and beyond the threshold of free speech," Capitol police Chief Michael J. Fallon said in an e-mail announcing the warrant. "He is inciting others through his website to commit acts of violence and has created fear and alarm. He should be held accountable for his conduct."
What apparently gave Turner an excuse to issue threats this time was an ongoing dispute in Connecticut over legislation affecting the Roman Catholic hierarchy in the state:
"It is our intent to foment direct action against these individuals personally," the blog stated. "These beastly government officials should be made an example of as a warning to others in government: Obey the Constitution or die."
And, the post continued, "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."
Turner also recently suggested to readers of his blog that someone should shoot another abortion provider:
After the killing of abortionist George Tiller, another "doctor" has publicly announced he wishes to take Tiller's place to continue partial birth abortions!
Physician LeRoy Carhart of Omaha, NE wants to continue providing third-term abortions after the brazen slaying of his friend and colleague George Tiller.
Gee, this is becoming a "target-rich environment!"
I suspect someone has a bullet for this guy too. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
As I've explained previously:
Turner is not someone to take seriously, any more than gay-basher Fred Phelps. He's made numerous threats in the past, and all have been just so much gasbaggery. Moreover, he has a nonexistent following, especially after it was revealed he had been doing federal-informant work, which pretty much destroys your cred in white-power circles.
Nonetheless, authorities have no reason to tolerate these kinds of threats. Turner's arrest is long overdue.
Gee. I wonder if Hannity will report on this.
OK, OK. No, I don't really.
