Thread: Neb. State Patrol investigating e-mail to senators

Neb. State Patrol investigating e-mail to senators


LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating after several state lawmakers received an ominous e-mail regarding immigration reform.

State Sen. Brad Ashford, of Omaha, says Monday that he and other members of the Legislature's Judiciary Committee received the e-mail Sunday night. It implored them to advance an Arizona-style immigration law proposed by Fremont Sen. Charlie Janssen.

But it was the note's postscript in red lettering that concerned lawmakers and their staff. The postscript says, "we shed blood to build this country, and we will shed blood again to take it back."

Ashford says he called the patrol, which will investigate whether any threat was intended.

Ashford says the weekend's shooting of 20 people, including a congresswoman, in Arizona on Saturday has changed how officials must respond to even perceived threats.

http://tinyurl.com/4pr7hks

I did a google on this and there is a claim it was a supporter of NAG Nebraska Advisory Group...

http://www.nebraskansadvisorygroup.org/

Monday, January 10, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Susan Smith, Founder nagsusansmith@yahoo.com

Susan Smith, Founder of Nebraskans Advisory Group, a grass-roots effort to oppose illegal immigration since November of 2006 was informed by a NAG activist that some Nebraska senators made terroristic threat charges against him because of a slogan or quote he used in his email format.

Smith says, "Given the tragic shooting in AZ, everyone needs to be mindful and sensitive to words, slogans and images that may cause concern or appear to be threatening." XXXXXXX once alerted to this situation immediately sent an email to senators apologizing for any unintentional upsetness he caused and had removed the slogan from his email format. XXXXX said, "he has used the quote for years without complaint but since the AZ shootings understands how it could be misinterpreted."

XXXXXX a Fremont resident, who is married to a legal immigrant, began holding Nebraskans Advisory Group meetings in Fremont in 2007. At that time opposing illegal immigration was not a "popular" thing to do. XXXXX discontinued holding these meetings after 3 - 4 months out of concern for his family's safety. However, XXXXX has continued to be involved in the political process by supporting or opposing bills at the local, state and federal levels.

Smith said, "We need to understand how our politicians are feeling right now about safety issues and be very careful how we interact with them. Nebraskans Advisory Group has neither condoned nor encouraged threatening language or behavior towards those in authority. Since 2006 we have been involved in deterring illegal immigration by holding rallies, attending meetings, providing support or opposition to legislation by providing testimony at public hearings, emails and phone calls."

OWH article: http://omaha.com/article/20110110/NEWS0 ... 5c96b5%2C1

The quotes XXXXXX had formatted into his email is shown below:

we shed blood to build this country and we will shed blood again to take it back

In God we trust

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it

The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.

'THE ONLY THING NEEDED FOR EVIL TO TRIUMPH IS FOR GOOD MEN TO DO NOTHING'

Related story:

Message stirs fear for state senators’ safety

LINCOLN — Concern is rising in Nebraska over perceived threats faced by elected officials, in light of the deadly shooting rampage Saturday that targeted an Arizona congresswoman.

State lawmakers will consider increasing security at the state Capitol — including metal detectors — in light of heightened concerns, said State Sen. John Wightman of Lexington, head of the Legislature’s Executive Board.

Also Monday, the State Patrol was investigating an e-mail sent to a group of state senators by an advocate for tougher immigration laws that calls for “bloodâ€

Another related story:

NE State Patrol finds no threat in e-mail

Sen. Brad AshfordLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) _ The Nebraska State Patrol has found that no threat was made by a man who sent an e-mail to members of the Legislature's Judiciary Committee earlier this week. Committee Chairman Sen. Brad Ashford asked the patrol to investigate after receiving the e-mail Sunday night.

The e-mail implored the committee to advance an Arizona-style immigration bill introduced this session. The e-mail's postscript said, ``we shed blood to build this country, and we will shed blood again to take it back.'' The e-mail was sent a day after a gunman in Arizona opened fire at an event, killing six and injuring 13, including a congresswoman.

Ashford says he's satisfied with the investigation, but still intends to have metal detectors at the hearing for the immigration bill.

http://www.krvn.com/news/index/a8d3fdf1 ... 2b8bdce0d7

[quote]Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop, another member of the committee, said the e-mail was “entirely inappropriateâ€