Er, no?

One of the first bits of news I heard (or read, I don't remember) this morning is how Rep. Robert Brady wants to "introduce legislation making it a federal crime for a person to use language or symbols that could be perceived as threatening or inciting violence against a Member of Congress or federal official."  Brady links the bill to the existing law concerning this type of activity against the President, and since Congressmen and  Senators are "federal officials" too, they should get the same treatment.


I can't even begin to express how wrong of an idea this is to me.   I also disagree with law about directing it towards the PoTUS.  Sure, add their names to some list and that crap, but charging them with something is impeding on their 1st Amendment rights.  In the words of Peter Griffen, "I may not agree with what you have to say, but I'll fight to the death to defend your right to say it."   (ok, it was originally Evelyn Beatrice Hall, but I can't help but think of the Fish out of Water episode of Family Guy.)