Bas3:05PMJul 24th 2008

When did we become the China or the former Soviet Union? According to the government's own website, the Hatch Act allows federal employees to attend political rallies and meetings and to express opinions about candidates and issues. This even applies to various federal employees with restrictions on their partisan political activity, such as CIA and the NSA.

JACK3:09PMJul 24th 2008

people, google the "logan act".....obama is breaking the law talking foreign policy in foreign countries. he is not the president and is risking our national security. A complaint has also been filed against him in the illinois bar, for lying on his bar application about drugs. of course you will not here this on the media, nor any aol blogs. mccain 08

Peggy3:10PMJul 24th 2008

As a former (now retired) civil servent in the United States, I remember how stringently the Hatch Act was enforced by the three federal agencies I was employed by. We were not allowed to work for or actively support any partisan candidate at any level. We could not discuss politics in any form when dealing with the public and were told not to attend partisan activities. We not only had to avoid partisan politics but what could, in any way, shape or form, be viewed as an appearance of partisanship. In other words, as public servents, we were told not to go to rallies or events held by candidates of any party. I was employed during the Carter, Reagan, Bush I, Clinton and Bush II administrations. So, it doesn't sound like this is paranoia, fear or worry on the part of the Repulicans. It's simply business as usual for Federal employees.

Bas3:18PMJul 24th 2008

Jack-The Logan Act forbids an unauthorized citizen from negotiating with foreign governments. The key word there is negotiating, and it pretty much applies to disputes between the US and other countries. He can talk all he wants about his own views. It's an obscure act that was pushed thru Congress at the time because the party in control was miffed that a private citizen was being hailed for actually getting something done.

JOHN3:19PMJul 24th 2008

Someone just sent me this link to a comprehensive video covering Barack Obama. In it...is a complete history of where he came from, what he thinks, things he's said (in his OWN voice) and I'm sure he hoped that they would be lost and forgotten forever, but someone has captured them and put them on this shocking video for all to see and hear. It is called "Connect The Dots."Please watch and listen to this video and share it with others. It is the only way we can wake people up in time and try and stop this "Changeling" from overtaking the White House in November.God help us all...!!!http://www.eyeblast.tv/Public/Video.aspx?rsrcID=2036

Denise Williams3:35PMJul 24th 2008

Bas,

Thanks for the insight!

Liz4:12PMJul 24th 2008

THE LOGAN ACT The Logan Act, codified at 18 U.S.C. § 953, states: Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both. This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply, himself or his agent, to any foreign government or the agents thereof for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects.

bluesky4:34PMJul 24th 2008

LET IT BE KNOWN THAT THIS MIDDLE EAST TOUR OF OBAMA
DOES NOT QUALIFY HIM TO BE PRESIDENT OF OUR COUNTRY!!
OBAMA TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE TAX-PAYERS TO PAY FOR HIS
TRIP WHILE WE ARE HERE PAYING OVER $4.00gal FOR GAS!!
THIS STILL DOES NOT GIVE OBAMA THE EXPERIENCE NEEDED
IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS. "OBAMA IS A JOKE"!!
OBAMA LIKES TO FLEM-FLAM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AS HE KNOWS HE HAS THEM HYPNOTIZED AND WILL JUMP AT HIS COMMAND!!! OBAMA HAS PROVEN SEVERAL TIMES THAT HE CANNOT BE TRUSTED SINCE HE STARTED USED HIS "DIRTY
CHICAGO POLITICAL TACTICS" DURING HIS ENTIRE CAMPAIGN.

McCAIN IS RUNNING SO CLOSE TO OBAMA THAT OBAMA IS SCARED OF LOSING THE ELECTION!! OBAMA IS USING ALL HIS DIRTY TRICKS IN HIS BOOK! FOX JUST ANNOUNCED
THAT THIS TRIP HAS "NOT" MADE ANY IMPACT ON OBAMA'S
RATINGS!!! "OF COURSE NOT", WE AMERICANS KNOW WHAT
THE REAL OBAMA IS LIKE, A PHONY, ARROGANT ELITIST,
TWO-FACE HYPOCRIT AND A LYING SNAKE IN THE GRASS!!!

http://obamawtf.blogspot.com/2008/07/bho-in-israel-american-jews-demand-to.html

I would rather vote for a true American like McCain
and know I'll be safe and not taken over by a Muslim country.

max9:18AMJul 25th 2008

PEGGY: You were robbed -- The Hatch Act PROTECTS federal employees so they MAY attend partisan activities while they are 'off duty.' Looks like you should have learned the laws that protected you.

HATCH ACT including 1993 Amendments:

Federal Hatch Act Do's
Federal employees covered by the 1993 amendments MAY--
- attend political fundraising functions

- attend and be active at political rallies and meetings

- join and be an active member of a political party or club

- sign nominating petitions

- campaign for or against referendum questions, constitutional amendments,
municipal ordinances

- be candidates for public office in nonpartisan elections

- register and vote as they choose

- assist in voter registration drives

- express opinions about candidates and issues

- contribute money to political organizations

- campaign for or against candidates in partisan elections

- make campaign speeches for candidates in partisan elections

- distribute campaign literature in partisan elections

- hold office in political clubs or parties

On August 5, 1996, final regulations applicable to political activities of federal employees took effect. The regulations, published by the Office of Personnel Management amended the previous, interim regulation published at 5 C.F.R. Part 734 ( 1996). Ref: 61 Fed Reg. 35,088 (1996) (to be codified at 5 C.F.R. Part 734)

I'm curious, does Dick Cheney's daughter still monitor aol blogs?