Obama’s America: EPA Officials Visit Man For Sending Email

by TWB Posted on May 24, 2012

About a month ago, EPA regional official Al Armendariz made news when a YouTube video of him describing the way the agency handles oil and gas companies surfaced. In it, Armendariz said an analogy he liked to use about enforcement was how the Romans used crucifixion to keep smaller towns and villages under their thumb. Since then, Armendariz has resigned his post at the EPA. Case closed, right? Wrong.

A local North Carolina man named Larry Keller didn’t particularly like the analogy that Al Armendariz used, so, along with thousands of others assumably, he set about to contact Mr. Armendariz to discuss his views on the oil and gas industries. One of our basic rights and privileges in a free society is to be able to petition our government for a redress of grievances without fear of repercussion from said government simply for voicing our grievance.

Keller proceeded to try and contact Mr. Armendariz by Googling him. His domain was a subset of Southern Methodist University, he was directed to contact a Dr. David Gray who is the Director of External Affairs for the EPA. Keller wrote a simple, one sentence email to Dr. Gray which said simply, “Hello Mr. Gray-Do you have Mr. Armendariz’s contact information so we can say hello?”

On May 2nd, just a little over a week after the Armendariz crucify comments had flared up, two special agents from the EPA and a local police officer showed up at Mr. Keller’s home. Here is the story in his own words:

On Wednesday, May 02, 2012 at about 1:45PM two Special Agents from the EPA and an armed police officer who stood 6’6” tall visited our house in Asheville, NC. Their visit was a total surprise as we had not received any communications requesting an appointment. The agents presented very official looking badges and asked if we could sit and chat awhile. We moved to the back porch and took our seats with the exception of the armed officer who stood by the door to the house the entire time.

Keller was asked by the agents if he ran a business out of his home, and if so, what kind of business. Keller runs a consulting business from his home. Then he was asked if he had ever sent an email to anyone at the EPA. Keller, not remembering the email initially said no, then remembered his email to Dr. Gray trying to get the contact information for Al Armendariz. This is what happened next:

At this point Agent Woods reach into a file and from it he pulled out a copy of my email to Dr. Gray. He handed it to me and I asked what was there about the content that justified their driving across the state of NC to visit me with no prior warning. The other agent then stated that my choice of words in the email could be interpreted in many ways. At that point I asked them to be specific as they were wasting my time. I stated that I pay for agents’ salaries and that of the police officer and they have bigger fish to fry. Special Agent Woods then asked if I had ever been arrested – the answer was a swift no. I then asked for a copy of the email they presented and they said that was impossible as the investigation was not yet complete.

Keller asked the agents for business cards that they had previously promised him and they were miraculously out of business cards. The two agents, who had driven four hours from Raleigh, North Carolina for this encounter with Mr. Keller, left via the back staircase as quickly as they had appeared without supplying Larry Keller with their contact information. He also states that the agents had parked blocking his driveway and that the local police officer had parked in his neighbor’s driveway.

Larry Keller was interviewed by Pete Kaliner, a local conservative radio host about the incident. You can listen to the interview here. I heard today on Kaliner’s show that Keller has hooked up with the John Locke Foundation to pursue the incident further. I’ll keep you updated as soon as more information becomes available.

Is this really the America that we live in now? A concerned citizen tries to contact a government official over statements that he made in public and the next thing you know armed agents show up at his home?

UPDATE: Linked by Instapundit, thanks Glenn!

UPDATE II: Linked at Small Dead Animals (thanks Kate!), Gateway Pundit (thanks Jim!), and Be John Gault, thanks!

UPDATE III: Linked by Doug Ross and Free Republic, thank you!

UPDATE IV:  I’ve been in contact with conservative radio host Pete Kaliner who forwarded along the following email from Larry Keller:

Hello All….

As of today Richard Burr’s instructions to staff are to take this to the nth degree in EPA and get answers

Larry

Here’s a link to the contact information for Senator Richard Burr if anyone would like to contact him about this case. This can’t be the only instance of this type of thing.

UPDATE V: Linked at I Own The World, thanks to Big Fur Hat!

UPDATE VI: Linked at Pat Dollard, thanks! Also, I’ve been in contact with Larry Keller a few times today. He’s been contacted by the EPA by email, but he’s unable to pass on any new information at this time. I’ll definitely keep you updated on the progress of this story. Go Larry!

UPDATE VII (June 4th): I have an updated post with more information on this story here.

UPDATE VIII: Linked at The PJ Tatler, thanks!

 

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  • Peterjmcnaughton

    They should be fired.

    • JMH

      And since we don’t know who they were because the refused to provide their business cards, I guess we’ll just have to fire all the agents.

      Hmmm. Works for me.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeanne-Bab/1492839200 Jeanne Bab

        I bet the local policeman knows who they were. Probably has their cards. I think I’d be on the phone to the chief and the mayor.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Rusty-Shackleford/100000025861897 Rusty Shackleford

        Should have asked to see their photo ID and wrote down their names. You don’t need a business card to ID someone. Then call their office and verify they are actual bona-fide Agents. BTW, they contact the Local LE as a courtesy. They are FLETEC trained and armed Federal Agents, same as an FBI Agent. They likely don’t need the muscle and if they did, they would contact the US Marshal Service.

        Carl, Transterrestrial misses you! We put out the Phamsignal and you never answered!

        • http://www.pohdiaries.com/ TWB

          Right Rusty, according to a local independent paper (not even the big paper here) the local law enforcement officer was sent as a courtesy to the EPA. The Local law enforcement officer was just doing his job.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Rusty-Shackleford/100000025861897 Rusty Shackleford

      No, that should proabally fall on who sent them. They are likely just the schmuks who were handed the shovel and pointed toward the barn.

      • SDN

        “I vas only folloving orders.”

        Not a valid defense since 1945.

  • movingto az

    anytime a jackbooted thug or policeman comes to your house without you inviting them, ask them if they have a warrent, if they do not have one, refuse to answer questions and do not open your door. Talk to them thru the door without opening.
    Do not consent to searches or talk to them. Remember, anything you say can and will be used against you.

    • Henry Webb

      Deleted.

    • Afoceanlady

      Mr./ms moving to AZ: You comment that “anything you say can and will be used against you” ONLY applies under the Fifth Amendment of our Constitution. Believe you should do some homework. Have a safe trip.

  • mbecker908

    Our government at work. Stuff like this makes me all warm and fuzzy that local governments are getting drones.

  • john cunningham

    Typical Obama Sturmabteilung tactics. The EPA is way overdue for 90% budget cut.

  • bobofromtexas

    This is what Hope&Change! looks like.

  • apodoca

    Brown shirts. Jack-booted thugs. Next thing, they’ll have a special salute and greeting.

    • Windy Wilson

      Yes. “Hail Hope and Change!” is too long. I predict they will substitute “Hail, Victory!”

  • Severn

    I’m sure that the Washington Post and New York Times will get right on this. Just as soon as they get done running down their latest lead on what Romney said when he was six years old.

  • Severn

    I’m sure that the Washington Post and New York Times will get right on this. Just as soon as they get done running down their latest lead on what Romney said when he was six years old.

    • MisterPhillip

      Romney was bad mouthing black, gay, undocumented immigrant, women when he was six? I KNEW it!!!

      • Afoceanlady

        Mister Phillip,
        So Romney was bad mouthing certain people at age SIX????????? I am quite sure his attitude has changed with maturity and education, unlike some. Understand?

  • davod

    He is lucky these guys didn’t think to borrow an Education department SWAT team.

  • Doug Rider

    We taxpayers paid for this harassment. Where do I go to get my money refunded?

  • http://profiles.google.com/mhjhnsn Martin Johnson

    Yes, this is really the America we live in now. Both parties do it, and we the people keep electing and re-electing them.

    It has been said that it is almost impossible for a person to get through the day without doing something that an aggressive prosecutor could open an investigation about. The federal criminal code used to be one book, now it fills a bookcase, and it’s just about that bad at the State level. Until we the people decide we don’t want it to be that way, that’s the way it’ll be.

    • davod

      “Both parties do it, and we the people keep electing and re-electing them.”

      I doubt that both parties do this.

    • Pompus

      “Both parties do it…”

      Ah, wrong.

      • http://profiles.google.com/kdhall61 Kenneth Hall

        Remind me which party held both houses of Congress when the “PATRIOT” (scorn quotes intentional) passed, who proposed “PATRIOT” II, along with the affiliation of the present Speaker, who just allowed as to how he thought the Schumer/Casey bill of attainder aimed at Eduardo Saverin was just a rockin’ idea.

        • Windy Wilson

          Specific examples of this sort of intimidating abuse, please. I’m sure you’ll agree that laws passed by Democrat controlled Congresses but not used don’t fall in the same category as anonymous visits by armed government employees. We need specific examples of this sort of visit occurring while Bush the younger was President, and while both houses of Congress were controlled by Republicans.

  • el_polacko

    aren’t these thugs supposed to be out somewhere making sure that nobody is peeing in a reservoir or something ? that they are intercepting, ‘investigating’, and creating a file on a simple email from a citizen is pretty frightening.

  • http://twitter.com/RugbyIke Ike Andrews

    This is just not right! Don’t think God doesn’t see the injustice of this. These people will end up being ensnared in their own wily schemes.

    • Pompus

      Sadly there is no god Ike. If there were we wouldn’t be having this conversation….

      • LouAnnWatson

        Just remember those words on your death bed

  • Guest

    Everytime a story like this crops up on a blog in the comments there are references to jackboots (hi, movingtoaz and apodoca!) and generic complaints (hi, Doug Rider, good luck on your refund!). What do we actually do about it? This is serious stuff. These stories tend to paint the villian as “BIG GOVT” or “EPA” (i.e., an institution, rather than a person). Institutions, whether governmental or corporate, have lives of their own. BUT, institutions only act through individuals. If you want to change an institution, you have to tackle the folks who inhabit it and actually make it act. We need to make government agents, the individual people, realize that they risk more, as individuals, at the hands of the people than they do by telling their boss “no, I won’t do that and it’s a bad idea and probably illegal.” Do NOT misconstrue what I mean – NO VIOLENCE OR THREATS OF VIOLENCE. None of that. None. Rather, ask for names. Ask for id numbers. And publicize all of it. The post states that they left without leaving contact information. That is NOT how legitimate government regulation works. These INDIVIDUALS knew (I’m guessing based on their desire to remain anonymous) that it was a sketchy imposition of government power and basically raw intimidation, but did it anyway.

    Who is Agent Woods? He’s from North Carolina, or drove from there according to the post. He should internalize some of the costs of his thuggery via blogosphere investigation into who he is. And, to repeat: Do NOT misconstrue what I mean – NO VIOLENCE OR THREATS OF VIOLENCE. None of that. None.

    • http://profile.yahoo.com/MMQESP2EYZUWPSFQRO7JWAFSB4 Arie

      How about an e-mail to the EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson saying: “Hello Ms. Jackson-Do you have a special agent in North Carolina named Mr. Woods? May we have his contact information so we can say hello?”
      She can be reached through her blog: http://blog.epa.gov/administrator/

  • Carl Pham

    C’mon now. I dislike the current Administration as much as anybody, and probably more than most. But this is getting paranoid. I do not think Mr. Keller was considered by anybody in local law enforcement or the White House as important enough to harass, especially in such a ham-handed way.

    I think the explanation is simple, and the clue is in the comment by the agent about his choice of words. You CAN read that e-mail as a threat, unfortunately. It’s possible that by “contact information” the writer meant something that would let Armendariz be located personally, and by “say hello” he meant something quite nasty would happen when he found Armendariz.

    Is that a pretty damn unlikely reading of the e-mail? Indeed it is. But keep in mind a few things:

    (1) This happened after Armendariz was in the media, and one thing people who have gone through a media shitstorm know is that it brings out all kinds of crazies, the John Hinckleys of the world. Law enforcement CANNOT ignore that fact. It would be irresponsible.

    (2) Keller didn’t just ask for information on how to contact the EPA, or the regional office, or whatnot — he asked how to contact a specific official. But he gave no reason, and he had no obvious normal business, and he’d obviously never had any contact with this official before, and this official didn’t normally work in a public-facing kind of job. He wasn’t the kind of guy who regularly talked to the public. A citizen request to make contact with him personally was rather out of the blue, and a little weird, if it was legit.

    Sure, as it turns out, Keller was actually attempting to contact Armendariz in sort of a citizen journalist way — but that’s unusual, still, and Keller didn’t say anything about this in his e-mail anyway. He didn’t say “I wanted to ask him about what he meant by these dumb-ass comments I heard, so I could write a harsh blog post about it,” or something along those lines, which would have made where he was coming from perfectly clear.

    Do I think Keller should have to worry about that? Should he have felt obliged to explain his business carefully in his e-mail? Hell no. Keller certainly does have the right to ask how to contact a government official any way he damn well pleases.

    HOWEVER, that said, if Keller chooses to attempt to make contact in a way that is pretty unusual, and can be read ambiguously by law enforcement that can and in fact MUST be paranoid about threats, and Keller chooses not to take the time to think about how things look to the parties charged with protecting the lives of public officials against crazies — and crazies do exist, like it or not — then he has to in turn accept the fact that law enforcement might indeed drop in to assess him and his intentions personally.

    And really, that’s all they did. They came and talked to him, sized him up, and realized he was just a citizen hot under the collar and not a crazy looking for his 30 minutes on the national news, and went away. I suppose they could have explained all this, at least in some form, after they figured out he was just a regular guy. But it sounds like the exchanges got testy towards the end, and probably by the time they left they felt Keller was being a pain in the ass, just pointlessly getting in the way of their doing a job they probably enjoyed even less than he did, and they simply didn’t feel like being nice to him.

    Let’s chill out a bit with the black helicopters thinking. The Obama Administration has done plenty that can be criticized on the grounds of simple stupidity, hypocrisy, and excessive partisanship. There’s no need to alienate independents by veering off into the murkier waters of thinking them orcs in the service of Pure Evil.

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NMAV4KIBOJWHB6VGWJ6CGT77H4 Randall

      BS

      • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/PEDMV7WMRA5WBQMSNDGEWT37P4 Ratt

        BINGO !

    • aGrimm

      Carl: quite the missive with good points, but I think you are missing the main point. The objection here is to the heavy handed method used to “investigate” Larry Keller. TWO agents and an armed officer? Wouldn’t a phone call to Mr. Keller have elicited more information that likely would have satisfied their paranoia? You point out that the police MUST be paranoid. To a degree yes, however such paranoia must be tempered otherwise it will get out of control. I can only interpret such a heavy handed investigation as intimidation. Bringing this incident to light is an excellent way to temper the natural paranoia of the police. Also do not forget it was the EPA as the lead agency in this case. Since when were they given the authority to investigate incidents that should belong in the FBI’s purview? Any way I look at this incident, it is pretty dang strange and feels like an abuse of government power.

    • Pompus

      Wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong!

      They did not just “go check it out.”
      They set out to INTIMIDATE this man and they refused to IDENTIFY themselves when requested.
      THUGS who need to be FIRED.

    • John Davies

      He didn’t ask for Armendariz’s home address. He asked for his email address.

    • http://profiles.google.com/gov.squid Governor Squid

      If the EPA really wanted to get a handle on Keller, a few discreet calls to local law enforcement and perhaps the editor of the local paper could have assured them that he was no threat. If they were still worried, they could file a report with a real law enforcement agency to do real law enforcement. Sending two of their own goons, whose law enforcement authority is limited to environmental concerns, proves only that EPA has too many agents and too much leeway in how they throw their power around.

      I’m not just going to shrug and give the EPA a gold star for not roughing up the guy.

    • Boomer

      You missed the point entirely, Carl. Mr. Keller was apparently important enough to them to send to agents a long way, picking up local LE muscle in the process, to “investigate” a citizen asking for a means to contact a government official about a ridiculous statement made in public. He didn’t threaten anyone with his e-mail, he didn’t publish violent threats, or anything else. He simply asked for contact information from the source he was directed to approach by the individual he sought to express his thoughts to.

      And while we’re at it, what’s so “pretty unusual” [your words] about using e-mail to contact a government official? I’m also a bit surprised that you think that law enforcement “MUST” be paranoid. Nothing could be less free than a citizenry policed by a group of raving paranoids with the power to arrest and jail. Are you saying that if I wrote a letter to my senator, and let her know I think she should be tarred, feathered, and run out of town on a rail, that it would warrant a visit from the thought police and the local constabulary? Seriously? It was read as a “threat” because they wanted to read it that way.

      I’m not going to chill out at all. In case the words didn’t come through from the article, these goons left his house after informing him that the investigation wasn’t complete. Meaning they’re still prying into his life. For what? Asking how to contact someone? You said he had that right, are you now amending it to say that if he asks for that information in a way that is intentionally misread, should he expect “special agents” on his doorstep as a result?

      We must live in two different worlds. Show up on my property, without a warrant, and attempt to “just ask a few questions”, and my answer is – come back with a warrant, or leave me alone, and take that badge wearing muscle with you.

      How can you be a free citizen and not be enraged by this?

  • Brett_McS

    There was an interesting call in to Mark Levin’s show yesterday where the two people claiming to be EPA turned up at the caller’s business and demanded to see all their records (something about lead paint in the business owner’s properties). They refused to show identification so the owner refused to let them in. They were so aggressive and arrogant that they probably were genuine EPA and not scammers.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Rusty-Shackleford/100000025861897 Rusty Shackleford

      In a situation like that, I would have contacted 911 and reported two people who you believe are impersonating Federal Agents trying to gain access to your home/facility. I know for a fact the EPA trains their people to carry and produce photo ID as an Agency Policy.

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  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NMAV4KIBOJWHB6VGWJ6CGT77H4 Randall

    this ain’t my America
    live free or die

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  • Joel

    Forgetting about the e-mail might be construed to lying the EPA. If you lie to the FBI, you go to jail. Think of Scooter Libby.

    Why the heck does the EPA have special agents who investigate potential personal threats?

    We need a big down sizing of this government.

    • matism

      We need dead pigs. And soon. VERY soon…

      • ChurchSox

        This kind of talk causes unrest. We have a problem with over-policing, but the solution is way short of what you’re implying, IMO. These guys just need to be re-tasked — cleaning up contaminated property, walking Eagle Scout candidates through conservation projects, etc. It’s not especially hard to do. Remember how quickly Bush Sr. downsized the army after Desert Storm?

    • http://twitter.com/johneastborough John Eastborough

      For an answer as to why the EPA needs special agents, I recommend you check out an excellent book by John Ross called “Unintended Consequences”. It’s out of print but PDF’s are all over the Interwebs.

    • Afoceanlady

      Joel, You are so very right, we absolutely MUST down size our federal government.

  • OccupiedTerritory

    Interesting story, but something’s not adding up: “Their visit was a total surprise as we had not received any communications requesting an appointment.” followed by “Keller asked the agents for business cards that they had previously promised him and they were miraculously out of business cards.” Well, was it a total surprise or not?

    • Bertibus

      Presumably he asked for their cards when they arrived – hope that’s not too difficult for you

      • OccupiedTerritory

        “Presumably.” Ass.

        • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_V2SKLBPNZVT3CJOJCQZSKPJWAM Donald

          I caught that too but guessed that he asked them at the door.

        • LouAnnWatson

          My, you are a sensitive little narcissist, aren’t you?

    • http://www.pohdiaries.com/ TWB

      Yes, the way I understood it from listening to Mr. Keller he was promised business cards at the door by the agents. They told him he could have them when they were finished with their “investigation”, once he began to get irritated and send them packing, their business card inventory suddenly became zero.

  • RobertCarl

    It’s the Chicago Way!

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jim-Warren/100001363052138 Jim Warren

    Within the heart of every man beats that little part that is willing to break down another man’s door and drag him away in the middle of the night.

    All that the Totalitarian has to do is to convince him that he is doing it for the greater good.

    These EPA guys are almost there.

    • Windy Wilson

      Good point, Jim. It is the effort to retain anonymity by these agents that puts this encounter so close to “Ausweis, bitte” and protective custody.
      The way to Hell is paved with good intentions, and as the actor, Will Smith pointed out , even Hitler thought he was acting for the greater good. The press, incapable of comprehending English, and valuing intentions over results, accused him of praising Hitler.

  • Mark

    I suggest everyone interested should email Mr Grey with the same request that Larry Keller made, in the same words. That ought to keep these EPA idiots busy. And the next person they visit, take a better look when they show their badges.

    • matism

      Or just blow their frigging heads off…

  • matism

    When is it time for dead pigs? Or do you REALLY think these bastards would be able to do this without the full support of “Law Enforcement”? May every one of those maggots rot in hell for what they have done to this country.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_46KPMRBMCPOOVN7ZX2LXSGPGJE ReluctantO

    Even the worst reading of this is that the agents asked if he would speak to them, which he agreed to, and then left when he asked them to. Seriously, everything else is hyperbole. My understanding is the EPA has OIG agents like all agencies under the Inspector General Act and I have to wonder if that is all the email said. Just being devil’s advocate really, but things like him knowing for a fact that the police officer was 6’6″ is a little suspect. Finally law enforcement often makes “cold calls” on people without appointments. There are legitimate reasons for that and again, all you have to do is simply not talk to them. It’s amazing how that works, really.

    • JPL17

      “Finally law enforcement often makes ‘cold calls’ on people without appointments.”

      Really? What country do YOU live in?

      • Windy Wilson

        Why is it so odd that he should estimate that the police officer be 6 foot 6? If you stand in MY doorway, I can estimate your height compared to the known height of the doorway. The next time you leave a bank look at the door jambs. Those marks are for estimating the height of someone who has just made an extralegal withdrawal from the bank.
        The agents came, and they left. “[E]verything else is hyperbole.”
        No, everything else is detail, and as we all know, the devil is in the details. It is the anonymous nature of the contact that should give you pause, not the peaceful way it ended. The initiating fault, as it were, was the reaction of the government employee to the request for contact information. Mr. Armendarez doubtless had a government-provided e-mail address which would be contact information enough. Just because someone asks doesn’t mean you have to give the home address.

    • JPL17

      “Finally law enforcement often makes ‘cold calls’ on people without appointments.”

      Really? What country do YOU live in?

    • LouAnnWatson

      Are you one of these “government agents”?

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  • MacM

    If law enforcement agents show up on your property, here is what you do (I spent nine years total on staff of a federal LE agency and a county sheriff’s dept):

    1. Do not answer any questions at all; demand to see their LE credentials. You have the right to examine them closely. Do so.

    2. Ask them if they have a warrant to be on your property. If they do, you have the right to examine it, but if it is a valid warrant, they do not have to wait while you do so. If they have a warrant shut up and do not hinder them from doing what the warrant authorizes.

    3. If they do not have a warrant, tell them you are (a) not going to answer any questions and (b) do not give consent to search any part of your property. Every time they ask you anything else, just keep saying that. Do NOT say anything else.

    4. Remember that the courts have ruled that consent to search or enter does not have to be verbally given. If a cop or detective asks whether he can come inside to speak with you and you open the door for him, you have just consented.

    5. ALWAYS your answer to requests, no matter how harshly given, to enter your property or “mind if we look around?” is “Do you have a warrant and if so, please let me see it.” But if they had a warrant, they would not be much asking.

    6. If you have your cell phone with you, turn on the movie camera or sound recorder as soon as you can.

    Importantly, do not freak out, do not become oppositional, always stay focused and always stand on your rights calmly and unemotionally. But stand on them.

    • MannieP

      Excellent Advice.

      Meet with them on your porch or in the hall. Lock your door behind you as you exit.

      Land of the Free, eh?

      • Bill

        Well if they are at your door they are alredy on your property kindly ask to go to the curb side and conduct talks there so you draw in on lookers. Be smart about it and dont seem like a threat. Or just start walking while talking and lock your door behind you. If they are phony cops or phony agents just push the panic button on your home security system and the local cops will be dispatched. Then you have a crowd. Remnd them you dont want your rights violated.

  • teapartydoc

    If Stalin–excuse me–I hiccuped when I typed that, don’t know how it came out that way–I mean Obama–gets re-elected, the dude just disappears.

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  • rokemronnie

    There’s got to be some kind of report filed by the local police officer which will most likely have the names of the EPA agents. That report is most likely subject to some kind of Freedom of Information or Open Public Records legislation. File a FOIA/OPRA request with your local police department.

  • wolfie773

    I thought Obama would represent a return of the Carter administration. This looks like a return of the Wilson administration.

    • WyomingCowboy

      Actually, it’s more like a return to the stalin (lower case intentionsl) administration.

      • wolfie773

        Wilson wasn’t that far off from Stalin.

  • Anonymous

    Wait until they unleash their actual equivalent of the Sturm Abteilung (Stormtroopers)….

  • Abiss

    Alrighty…I think that’s just about enough of this shit.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/John-West/100000403288778 John West

    Never open your door unless you know who is on the other side. Yes, this is America we live in today ….thanks to the thuggery and barbarism of the left.

  • Lkeller

    This is Larry Keller and thank you for your comments. I have no fear of this government thus I allowed them in my house. When the questioning turned into inferences about why I sent the email, my demeanor changed. The lead agent could no longer look me in the eye and their non-verbal signs spoke volumes. Richard Burr’s office has jumped all over this story I will succeed in getting to answers of why me and their procedures which were one step below inspector Cluseau.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1092612597 Neil Rowland

    Trying to turn America into Chicago. They won’t succeed, but oh, the damage they’re doing in the attempt.

  • https://me.yahoo.com/a/69QP2LRiopBvmoF7BwhJDNWL4Giu0F.HMxG5G1Lhyw--#1cd46 LibsRlosers

    Yes, this is the America we live in. Just try to ride your Mtn Bike at Henry Coe Park without a Helmet or walk your dog without a leash and tell me we dont live in an out of control Police State.

    • Windy Wilson

      You know, I haven’t heard anyone say “It’s a free country” for about 40 years now.

  • http://twitter.com/rbeccah rbeccah

    In answer to your question, yes, this is the America we live in now. And if we don’t get control of this rogue government, it will only get worse.

  • Lkeller

    I saw their badges and got their names. More importantly I am up to the OIG level

    • TWB

      Thanks for the update Larry. You’re not alone.

    • aGrimm

      Sweet! Go get them! You have really played this smart. Be sure to look at the 40 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations), particularly the first few sections that discuss the authority and administrative procedures of the EPA. Having that at hand can be helpful. It has been awhile since I have had to review those sections, but I sure do not remember the EPA having any authority to do what they did to you. Hopefully the OIG will take this seriously and go after these clowns. More importantly, I hope the OIG will pursue who gave them the orders to do this. Best of luck. There would be others out there who could give you better advice re 40 CFR, but if you think I could be useful, I hereby give this blog operator permission to release my email address to you.

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  • Guest

    What about the local LE. Has anyone contacted them for an explanation why they escorted the 2 goons to his house? EPA agents? HHS agents? IRS agents? How many agents are there?
    The little guy that is not in a “protected” group has very little to defend themselves. Complaining to a Senator!! What can he do but introduce a resolution. I was outraged and called a press conference. No one showed up. Geeez!

  • WyomingCowboy

    Zo, you have opinions zhat border on THOUGHT KRIME, KOMRADE?! Und vhere ist your familee, hmm? Do you know vhere zhey are? VEE DO! YOUR PAPERS, PLEEZE!! Welkommen zu das Amerikanisch 1939 Deutsche Reisch! And people don’t believe in reincarnation!

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