As a New Yorker, I feel obliged to make fun of states like Oklahoma. With that in mind, did it occur to Pittsburg County District Attorney Jim Bob Miller that the reason Okies post anonymously is that they can’t remember their names? Okay, enough fun. Except . . . “Jim Bob?” Please. Okay, now I’m done. This is serious.
Tulsa criminal defense lawyer Glen Graham sent me a link to Tulsa World (as if I don’t read it on my own religiously) about the plight of Harold King, who runs a website called the McAlester Watercooler. This is a place where the citizens of McAlester (and for those of you who are just plain ignorant, McAlester is in Pittsburg County. Duh.) can talk about local issues, including how much they hate DA Jim Bob. Now King and Jim Bob have a history. Mike at C and Kipesquire post about this (who knew that Oklahoma nastiness was on so many people’s minds these days?).
It seems that Kings website has a bunch of comments from Okies who prefer to post anonymously rather than risk the wrath of Jim Bob. Jim Bob is pissed about this. After all, he’s a very important fellow. Plus, he’s the District Attorney, and that means that he’s got some clout to smack the crap out of these cowardly, lying Okie malcontents.
So Jim Bob has some of his cops serve a subpoena on King for the identity of these nasty anonymous Okies. Don’t be too concerned about the fact that the cops were busy serving a subpoena rather than patrolling the streets for hardened criminals. The only serious crime they have in McAlester is criminal libel, and Jim Bob’s right on top of that.
So Jim Bob, just doing his job eradicating the plague of criminal libel in McAlester, goes after his old enemy King for the names of his anonymous enemies.
King said he researched posts under those pseudonyms and found one common denominator: All had written critically about Pittsburg County District Attorney Jim Miller.
Miller said by telephone: “I can’t comment on any investigation, and whether one’s going on or not.”
An advocate of open government said he’s concerned the subpoena could have “a chilling effect.”
These Okies are a shifty bunch. So if Jim Bob can’t comment on an investigation (say Jim Bob, why is that?), can he comment on the abuse of his authority to issue a subpoena to get the names of his political enemies? It’s a different question, you know.
Kip does a great job discussing the 1st Amendment issue of anonymous political criticism. Most of us view this as a sort of bedrock thing, that people can express criticism of public officials without fear of prosecution. Would the disclosure of the anonymous posters have “a chilling effect.” Why yes, it might indeed. And Harold King isn’t going to let that happen.
But Jim Bob, the powerful guy, isn’t going to let King get away with that either, and so he’s now filed a criminal libel complaint against King.
The offense description in the report cites a state statute and follows with a description of the offense as a communication “to any person of a false rumor or report of a slanderous nature, slander.”
A narrative report states “Victim said the suspect is criminally libel for his comments and other people’s comments on the ‘mccooler.’”
Except for the fact that all of this is actually happening in McAlester, Oklahoma, the monumental stupidity of Jim Bob’s actions would make for a very funny story. I’m sure it’s no joke to Harold King or the 35 anonymous posters at the McAlester Watercooler. And now that the real world knows about how Jim Bob Miller handles his position as Pittsburg County District Attorney, perhaps he will get that hard smack he so well deserves.
Who knew that there was such drama to be found in McAlester?
Update: Lest my use of the name “Jim Bob” repeatedly raise any more temperatures than necessary, it’s nothing compared with one of the singular most peculiar names around. This honor belongs to the gentlemen from the Sovereign Nation of Texas, Jew Don Boney, Jr.
Funny, he doesn’t look Jewish.
H/t Eugene, who knows of whence he speaks.
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Thank you for helping shine the light this story. The entire nation is taking a look not only at Jim Bob and his antics right now, but the antics of many elected officials across that state.
One of the greatest benefits of the internet, and the blawgosphere in particular, is the ability to shine a very bright light into corners that were previously too small or local to garner much attention. Jim Bob’s, and other’s, antics will no longer be hidden from view.
Being an Okie who lives in McAlester, I was at first a bit pissed off at your “comical points” regarding my state, but the more I thought, and the more I read, the more I began to think, “My God, he’s right!” You are correct that the names around here are freakin’ hilarious. And you are correct that there are lots of political happenings around here. But at least we’re comical, huh? 🙂
Being sarcastic is just my way. But what ol’ Jim Bob is doing isn’t funny at all. It’s fun to have different ways around the country, but it’s just the lead in to some very serious business that is worthy of notice, whether it happens in OK or NY. Thanks SS.
Please leave other Oklahomans out of this issue. I am a citizen of this great state, In my opinion is the heart of America. You have no idea of the issue of King and Stipe it is a personal war. Jim B Miller has his faults but who does not.The comments made by posters should be free comments. I agree. I have posted on the blog. But I am not ashamed to tell anyone who I am or that I said it. Every official elected or not. Every person with substansial income or anyone with enough guts to say what they want to say will be criticized. It goes both ways. I love McAlester, Pittsburg County Oklahoma
I’m not huge fan of anonymous posters either, but that doesn’t mean that a DA with subpoena power should use it to identify his critics. This is about Jim Bob’s abuse of power. As for other Oklahomans, I’m with you.
As for your pride in your state, county and city, it’s very honorable.
i understand if you lived in new york you would not understand oklahoma politics.
small town politics will get you killed. people who are in politics in a small town think they are a big duck but the pond is small. they think they are above the law.
it goes back to someone named gene stipe. for over 50 years he ran the law. who he wanted for district attorney got the job.
by the way 9-30-11 jim bob miller has been indicted along with a pittsburg county judge for committing perjury about a drug court.