Is there really a facebook poll about killing President Obama?
The first step in discerning the source of the “Should Obama be Killed?” Facebook poll has been taken. Jesse Farmer, of Bumbalabs in Palo Alto, Calif., has given permission for Facebook to reveal that he was the developer, but, significantly, not the author behind the poll that nauseated many Monday. The poll, which was removed by Facebook when it was brought to the site’s attention, offered those who wished to enjoy such an exercise four potential answers (see screen grab by The Huffington Post). More than 730 people participated before it was removed. On Farmer’s Twitter feed, Twitter.com/jessefarmer he describes himself as “Entrepreneur living in Palo Alto, Calif. I grew up in the Midwest and think everyone is awesome.” Which will naturally be a relief to many. Sources: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10363336-71.
The news that someone had posted a poll on Facebook asking if Barack Obama should be assassinated is only the latest example of violent public rhetoric against the president. Facebook took down the poll on Monday, as soon as officials at the popular social-networking site learned about it. The Secret Service is investigating who posted that poll, and how serious a threat that person (or people) represents to the president. But a larger question remains: Is the nation in an up-cycle of vitriol against the president and government in general? The short answer is yes. Not only has Mr. Obama faced a wave of threats to his safety since early in his presidential campaign and continuing into his presidency, but the federal government also now faces a resurgence of the so-called militia movement, according to organizations that track hate groups. “It would be analogous to what we saw in the mid-’90s, where there were economic issues and dissatisfaction against the government in general,” says
