September 28, 2009 3:13 PM

Facebook Poll Asks if Obama Should be Killed

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
In The News
(AP / CBS)
Updated 4:14 p.m. ET

A poll posted on the social networking site Facebook asking if President Obama should be assassinated has prompted a Secret Service investigation.

The Huffington Post has a screen shot of the poll. It asks, "should obama be killed?" The possible answers are "yes," "maybe," "if he cuts my health care" and "no."

"We are aware of it and we will take the appropriate investigative steps," Secret Service Darrin Blackford told the Associated Press. "We take of these things seriously."

At least 730 people took the user-generated poll before it was removed by Facebook upon officials learning of its existence. Results of the survey were not available because the application was disabled. The company said the person who created the poll has been suspended from using the site.

"The third-party application that enabled an individual user to create the offensive poll was brought to our attention this morning," said Barry Schnitt, Director of Policy Communications for Facebook. "The application was immediately suspended while the inappropriate content could be removed by the developer and until such time as the developer institutes better procedures to monitor their user-generated content."

"We're working with the US Secret Service but they'll need to provide any details of their investigation," he added.

Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan confirmed to CBS News that the Secret Service and Facebook are working together on the issue.

The Huffington Post notes that another user quickly created a poll asking "Should the creator of 'should Obama be killed' be arrested?"

Add a Comment See all 169 Comments
by Tristan_Benz October 1, 2009 12:24 AM EDT
People who condone anti-semitism or anti-christianism or any other shameful behavior born of an "ism" would do well to go listen to "There are too many saviors on my cross" by Richard Harris (the album was "Slides" - google it, I'm sure the words will come up) - in it he says, "There is no issue stronger than the tissue of love, no need as holy as the palm outstretched in the run of generosity, no monstrosity greater than the anger you inflict..."

Have we truly grown so small that we can only see through a lens of propagandized group think? That we, without even a second thought, can wrap one another up in hate on a daily basis, smearing entire groups with labels undeserved by all but perhaps a few on the fringe?

When, exactly, did we all forget that we each, ALONE, know better - better than the children who beat an honor student senseless with a railroad tie this week; better than to allow even a thin line to be crossed, as it has with such a poll as this?

I'm sorry - but ALL of the religious among us who cherish life ARE RIGHT in their reverence. That any one of us could possibly EVER feel good about slapping a label of hatred - "extremist" - on what we individually KNOW truly are decent human beings in our culture, is, in my view, as sick as this poll and those who participated.

It is one thing to despise a policy and to rant over issues; it is quite another to allow ANY of those among us to become what we despise most - a crucible for hate. Who stood up, after all those responses? Who spoke out - I'd love to know - because THEY deserve our praise!

It is not just the pollster who is to be reminded that this behavior has no place in America - it is EVERY person who participated without speaking out against it (much like the BYSTANDING camera man and spectators in the senseless beating that occurred this week). Indeed, every person who, rather than attack an issue, makes it their goal to turn things "personal," is, in truth, actively condoning divisions, rooted in hatred and fear.

What upsets me is that people do this on a daily basis, fail to realize that, as Lillian Hellman once said, "how we spend our days is how we live our lives." It's easy to stand in outrage on this one - but, what about the daily personal attacks and polarizations that we EACH allow (right, left and center!); what about all the "little things" that no longer seem to phase us anymore?

To declare conservatives / Christians "right wing" or "Obama haters" - is CONDONE hatred itself. We ALL ought to condemn anyone who engages in anti-Christianism in America, as we do with other "isms" and just as we now condemn the hateful content of this poll.

I agree with this feature - our prayers must be for the safety and sanctity of Obama's and EVERY OTHER human life in this great nation. Plainly, the sorry thought that vacuum seals my heart at the moment is... if only so many had been this eager to step up in defense of the honor student beaten to death this week, then we could all TRULY be proud, united under a worthwhile banner, beyond that of hatred.
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by tbonejackweed September 30, 2009 9:18 PM EDT
Why all this contrived emotion over this silly and inocuous poll. It?s obvious the pole was not to be taken seriously. It?s just a poll like any other. And heck, it?s actually kind of funny. You should be celebrating the fact that you live in a county that allows you such freedoms. Allah says move on!
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by ladyang September 29, 2009 5:12 PM EDT
What make the re-pugs thinks they will get away with doing anything to OUR PRESIDENT?
They all talk about how they love this country, but they have no idea what this country will turn into if OUR PRESIDENT were hurt.
Also, under what grounds are your proposing to impreach OUR PRESIDENT?
Get a life and buy a clue. PRESIDENT OBAMA will win again!
See ya in 2012, numb nuts!!!
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by areuforreal September 29, 2009 5:06 PM EDT
I find it to be truly enlightening that the same people who profess to be REAL AMERICANS have no problem with antics such as this. The same people who talk about taking back america condone such behavior. Is this truly the america you want where extremists can throw out veiled threats to our leaders simply because they lost an election and don't like the results. I submit that it is not what the founding fathers had in mind. There have been many movies that have assassinations, terroristic plots and conspiracy, as plot twists. Does that compare to this anonymous poll? I think not, this is reprehensible no matter what your political affiliation may be. There were many people who did not vote for Bush Yet You did not hear all this crap then. There are always a few crazy jerks, but they seem to have increased tenfold in the last year or so.
Before those who disagree attack, I am a Moderate,not a dyed in the wool democrat, I would have found this offensive had it been done to Bush
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by noloyalisti September 29, 2009 4:41 PM EDT
This is a very sick and uneducated third world country America. And the sickest of all are being egged on by extremists on the radio and TV (mostly Fox and CNN) and the wacko, violent Republican party of death.
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by NyStateisPoor September 29, 2009 3:30 PM EDT
Thank god for the freedom of speech. Good show.
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by hockeymom441 September 29, 2009 2:50 PM EDT
I continue to be amazed at how pathetic some Republicans are.

They are so blinded by their hate and bigotry, they care nothing for how this poll makes them seem like a sociopath and embarasses our country.

If the author was/were Muslim, he'd already be in jail and through a few rounds of waterboarding. Why we tolerate domestic terrorism is beyond me!
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by rondivoo September 29, 2009 2:26 PM EDT
I hope whoever put this survey on facebook is arrested and has to serve time in prison. I hope they make his name public, too. People who even think about this kind of astrosity or advocate it in any way are totally un-American and altogether evil.
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by Turbidite September 29, 2009 1:52 PM EDT
It seems that the KKK has become the liberal side of the Republican Party.
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by kristen2051 September 29, 2009 1:12 PM EDT
I think it's a disgrace to the Nation what the likes of Glenn Beck & Rush Limbaugh are doing. Do they not know that with their hate mongering against the President on a daily basis is bringing on all these crazies? Or is that what they are truly trying to accomplish without having to do it themselves? Think about that question. I know they talk b.s. for a living, but is it worth this? I wonder if they know the chain of events that will be set off if something happens to President Obama
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