Federal Judge Wants Book Ban
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| Publication of Roger Stone's new book, The Myth of Russian Collusion The Inside Story of How Donald Trump REALLY Won, may cause the author to spend years behind bars while litigating his case against the United States Department of Justice. |
Stone is an American citizen and a human being.
Yet, in the courtroom of United States District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, the rights and humanity of Stone count for little. This places Jackson well within the mainstream of adjudication of federal criminal litigation.
Stone is a genuine fascist, an ass and a provocative voice for the White Party, the Republican Party.
So what?
In America, we do not lose our right to express our views, publish books, and voice our political preferences because our views and preferences are regarded as suspect by some.
Don't think Jackson boned up too much on the First Amendment.
On Feb 15, 2019, Jackson imposed a gag order on both Stone's attorneys and Mueller's DoJ attorneys, singling out Stone as well from appearing near the federal D.C. courthouse.
Reports CNN:
Lawyers 'for the parties and the witnesses must refrain from making statements to the media or in public settings that pose a substantial likelihood of material prejudice to this case,' Judge Amy Berman Jackson wrote.
They, their clients and even Stone are also not allowed to speak in and around the courthouse.
In her order, Jackson notes how effective Stone has been in gaining followers, critics and media attention. She notes 'the size and vociferousness of the crowds that have already been attracted to these proceedings, and the risk that public pronouncements by the participants may inflame those gatherings.'
So, we have the United States government pursuing its case against Stone, and Jackson rules effectively that Stone is too powerful a voice who would pollute a jury pool in the D.C. jurisdiction, and voice "public pronouncements" that would risk inflaming public gatherings.
Not too many in the political culture ask questions, and even fewer challenge Berman.
On Feb 21, 2019, Jackson further tightened First Amendment restrictions against Stone, who was forced to apologize or face the remainder of his litigation behind bars.
That's one hell of an incursion on the rights of a man deemed innocent under the law.
Now, this weekend Judge Jackson demanded to know why she was not alerted about the March 1, 2019 publication of an updated version of Stone's book, The Myth of Russian Collusion: The Inside Story of How Donald Trump REALLY Won.
Roger Stone has until Monday, March 4, to explain publication of his work to an increasingly despotic judge (Bloomberg).
Those who would effectively ban books are book banners. The costs of publishing a book, in Stone's case, is imprisonment at the hands of an unaccountable federal judge.
Stone has pleaded the 'deep state' is out to get him, strip him of his liberties and imprison him during what he brands a show trial administered by a judge whom he deems hostile.
Actually, I think Roger Stone is right, and United States District Judge Amy Berman Jackson seems more tyrant than judge.
Progressives should be on Stone's side.
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