The Truth about the "Truth Squads" in Missouri

A lot of tears have been shed, apparently, in anguish and fear over the "Truth Squads" in Missouri. Why so scared? The CBS affiliate who ran the story, opened by saying ""The Obama campaign is asking Missouri law enforcement to target anyone who lies or runs a misleading TV ad." That is false.

The factually challenged Michael Barone, as well as Drudge and Limbaugh (and consequently right wing blogs) reported that ""[St Louis Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch and St. Louis Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce] are threatening to bring criminal libel charges against anyone who levels what turns out to be false criticisms of their chosen candidate for president." Setting aside the fact that what they say is totally false, "criminal libel"? There is no "criminal libel" in Missouri.

The story being pushed is that Bob McCulloch and Jennifer Joyce have threatened to silence criticism of Obama with threats of criminal prosecution. That is completely false.

Soon-to-be-ex-Governor Matt Blunt whined that ""What Obama and his helpers are doing is ... abusing the justice system and offices of public trust to silence political criticism with threats of prosecution and criminal punishment." Totally untrue.

What Bob McCulloch actually said was " "... if they're not going to tell the truth then somebody's got to step up and say, 'wait a minute that's not true' ..."

That's it. Wow. Imagine that - pointing out lies and correcting the record. What a threat to the first amendment, eh?

So, hopefully this will allow all of those who are "terrified" by the continuous lies Limbaugh and company spoon feed their so-willing-to-believe-anything audience to sleep a bit easier tonight. Unclench your hands. Take a deep breath. Hug your ferret and rest easy.

And seriously, aren't you tired of your overlords scaring you all the time?