"They locked up sherman because he ran a website who's stated intent is to combat the government." That's incorrect. Sherman linked to a site, which he was hosting but was not affiliated with nor did he author. This was the web site that contained the "bomb making info". The information on this site was put up for the IMF world bank meetings. Again, Sherman didn't author any bit of this site. Now, if Sherman is being locked up because his intent was to combat the government, then how come the person who created and authored the site which the bomb making info was on, encouraging people to use it at IMF world bank protests, wasn't even touched?! The fact of the matter is if the point was to catch criminals ,or "intent", than the person who had the original site would be in jail, not Sherman. The issue was clearly not about what was posted; it was about taking Sherman and raisethefist down. It was about destroying something that was promoting free thought and expression. Here are the facts of the case:

1) The "explosives information" was on a separate web site that Sherman was not affiliated with.

2) Sherman did not author nor did he create this web site or the "explosives information".

3) The FBI knows Sherman did not author , nor did he create or implement the pages that dealt with explosives because they've already interviewed the kid who created the site and authored the explosives info. However, they continue to state Sherman implemented, authored, and created these pages on explosives.

4) Sherman merely posted a link on his web site to this separate web site. This is something internet users do every day. This is not unique, this is not a crime (or is it when they decide it is).

5) The FBI used the "explosives information" as an excuse to come after Sherman. The FBI didn't care about information on explosives being made available over the internet. There is detailed information on pipe bombs, grenades, napalm, TNT, dynamite, nuclear bombs, etc. readily available all over the internet. If someone were to build an explosive for illegal purposes they would not rely on raisethefist.com. You can go to Howthingswork.com and enter the word "explosives" to find detailed instructions on how to make a variety of incendiary devices.

6) Sherman is being used by the government to set an example.

Sherman Austin should have demanded a trial rather than capitulate to the government and plead guilty. Had he used some of the same arguments mentioned here, the odds are good he would have won his case. I know Austin was afraid of the "terrorism enhancement" charge, but all prosecutors do this to scare defendants into pleading guilty. Had this case gone to trial, I think the odds are good that the U.S. Government might have lost. I'm not going to condemn Austin for the decision he made, however. He did what he felt was best for him given the circumstances. But I think those of us who are supporters of free speech need to be more aggressive in the future at offering support to others whom the feds go after because they espouse unpopular political views. Afterall, we could be next ....

Using the same logic, Ned Lyle, owner of Computers NLA of Harbor City, California, should go to jail for the death threat, harrassment, and hate campaign waged by the website kobehq.

Sherman's lawyers should question why it is that a right wing terrorist website is ignored while a legitimate political website (such as raisethefist) is targeted.

Speaking of Shermie:

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With regard to danger to the community, Your Honor, one, there's no question this is a case about a crime of violence. This is a case about the defendant's possession of destructive devices and the posting of instructions about how to make bombs, very specific types of bombs, fuel bombs, fertilizer bombs, pipe bombs, and Molotov cocktails, on the defendant's web site, which he has admitted to operating from his home.

There's no question under the Bail Reform Act, Your Honor, that those crimes constitute crimes of violence, and therefore the Government's obviously entitled to a bail hearing on that determination.
The Second Circuit has long held that items, destructive devices such as Molotov cocktails, simply have no legitimate purpose. They are, by definition, tools of violence. In this case, the defendant possessed Molotov cocktails. Pursuant to a search warrant which was authorized in the Central District of California on or about January 24th, the FBI searched the defendant's home. What did they find there? They found explosives. They found M-80s. They found remote control detonating devices. Again, these are items that have no legitimate purpose. They found bottles, over sixty bottles. They found the Molotov cocktails I mentioned.

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The defendant's own words on the web site, Your 18 Honor, I believe speak for themselves:

"Yeah, motherfucker, I'm a terrorist to the United States Government. I'm a terrorist to capitalism."

In another segment, he said:

"We don't gather weapons, plan extreme operation, and risk our lives for nothing. This is real."

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In addition, the affidavit submitted in connection with the Rule 40 affidavit established probable cause to believe that the defendant operated a web site which shows if it pans out and is proven, which suggests that defendant does not -- let me rephrase that -- which gives me no confidence -- the statements in the web site give me no confidence that the defendant would comply with an order of his Court.

I'm looking at the February 4, 2002 affidavit Special Agent Pie or Pi, in which he says that defendant's web site contained, among other things, the following comment quote:

"Yeah, motherfucker, I'm a terrorist to the U.S. Government. I'm a terrorist to capitalism, not to innocent people. I'm a terrorist to the evil system that's terrorizing all of us. Fuck the Government.

I hope they burn in fucking hell right back where they came from, motherfuckers. You can't fool all the people. We know your fucking style."

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What did the FBI do after it presumably let Mr. Austin go? They put a watch out, and they notified officials in New York City, indicating -- warning agents of the secret service. Why did they warn agents of the secret service? Because the defendant made threats against the president inside a web site. He had a picture of the president of the United States with a target symbol on his head, and said wanted, dead or alive.

...hmm, if you take into account that there WERE no destructive devices, and no evidence other than empty allegations, then the whole prosecution's case falls apart. It is obvious that this guy was singled out not because he was a threat...the FBI had to practically lie to create that impression...but because of his politics.

You facist Republicans should be careful what precedents you support....the gate could just as easily swing the other way.....

WHY SHOULD YOU PAY TAXES TO PAY FOR AN OIL WAR?
Your not getting your gas any cheaper.
Bush --largest deficit EVER!!!

Your such a fool

Jesus KOBE S&M, I think that qualifies for you most incoherent babbling yet...and when it comes to incoherence, you are a tough act to follow...

...and who do you think you're kidding? 5th graders aren't allowed to drive..and daddies car is not "yours"....

It does miracles for the kind of mental constipation you seem to suffer from.

Sherman did question, but his defense was not willing to challenge, and insisted he sign--the pressure from the government and the defense was the main reason why Sherman signed the plea. He did not receive fair and non-biased counsel. The intent was for a conviction from the beginning. The law, posting with intent, has never been tried before. The government needed a conviction to set a precedence, and Sherman’s defense allowed this to happen. Remember this young man was 18 when this happened. Don't think for one minute that the government didn't have an agenda from the beginning. They were pulling the strings of Sherman’s defense, and Sherman's defense submitted to their intimidation tactics. Not only was the defense technologically incompetent, but they were ignorant of the law as well. This law, posting with intent, should have been challenged in court. This case sets precedence for future cases. Sherman, my advice to you is to get a good criminal attorney with the courage to challenge the law, withdraw your plea, and declare the law unconstitutional.

I challenge the legal community to come forward in this young man's defense--where are you attorneys? This young man needs help--and so will you if you don't fight this law. You could be next on their list--be careful what you say in cyberspace. The fact remains that if the information in question had been published on paper and handed out in the streets, Sherman would not be facing these charges. This was a young immature kid who wasn't aware of the law. Wake up America and understand that you could be next. Read the transcripts and documents regarding this case….railroad…railroad…railroad!!!!!!!!

Check you facts--they did not find molotov cocktails at sherman's house NOR did they ever prove that he was the man behind the quotes that you so freely post without any knowlege of their origin. The government documents clearly state that SHerman had in his possesion the components of a MOlotov cocktail--we all have the components of a Molotov cocktail or Check you facts--they did not find Molotov cocktails at Sherman’s house NOR did they ever prove that he was the man behind the quotes that you so freely post without any knowledge of their origin. The government documents clearly state that Sherman had in his possession the components of a Molotov cocktail--we all have the components of a Molotov cocktail or explosives in our homes (bleach, gasoline, cleaning fluids……). The question is, do we have the intent to assemble these components into an explosive? You obviously have not read the details of the case, perhaps there are documents missing from your resource. I urge you to research the case further before you post unsubstantiated so called evidence as facts on a web site. I suggest that you remain conscious of your words while you speak and get the facts before you share your uninformed opinion with the public.

I forgot to mention that the content of Special Agent Pi's warrant, which followed Sherman throughout this case, are ALLEGED VIOLATIONS and a product of John Pi's fantasy. The ALLEGED VIOLATIONS are the beginning of a good sci fi novel. Anyone who knows this kid can attest to the fact that he would never NOR did he ever commit such crimes. Again--GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT

***WHERE'S NICK---NICK AUTHORED AND POSTED THE RECLAIM GUIDE******WHERE'S NICK---NICK AUTHORED AND POSTED THE RECLAIM GUIDE******WHERE'S NICK---NICK AUTHORED AND POSTED THE RECLAIM GUIDE******WHERE'S NICK---NICK AUTHORED AND POSTED THE RECLAIM GUIDE******WHERE'S NICK---NICK AUTHORED AND POSTED THE RECLAIM GUIDE******WHERE'S NICK---NICK AUTHORED AND POSTED THE RECLAIM GUIDE******WHERE'S NICK---NICK AUTHORED AND POSTED THE RECLAIM GUIDE******WHERE'S NICK---NICK AUTHORED AND POSTED THE RECLAIM GUIDE******WHERE'S NICK---NICK AUTHORED AND POSTED THE RECLAIM GUIDE***

Sherman did not post the Reclaim Guide. A 15 year old RICH white child who lives in Orange County with his parents, authored and posted the Reclaim Guide on a piece of donated server space that lived on Sherman's server. Sherman partitioned a piece of his drive for donated space. Nick probably didn't understand the law or the seriousness of his actions (he was just another naive kid who should not be prosecuted). Nick was interviewed by John I. Pi, the special agent assigned to this case. During the interview Nick admitted to the crime. Special Agent Pi stated that posting the information was not a crime, but the fact that Sherman had maps to the protests in NYC linked to his web site proved intent. The links to maps and the link to the Reclaim Guide lived on two different web pages that were not related and were authored by two different people (Nick and Sherman). This kid, Nick, ran a web site for his mother's business along with a political site where he attempted to organize others. Nick, uploaded the Reclaim Guide to Nick's web site which lived on Sherman's server, and Sherman, without reading the entire contents of the Reclaim Guide, scripted a link from raisethefist.com to Nick’s web page--the link to the Reclaim Guide lived on Nicks web page. The defense, prosecutor, and judge did not understand the terminology of the case. This case should have been fought in court--not plea bargained. Sherman will be serving time for a crime that NICK committed.

I recently had the privillege to meet Sherman lastweek as well as listen to him speak. I must say, Sherman is an incredibly sweet, caring, and amazing person. He has only good intentions. He is very inspiring, a direct threat to our fascist government. It breaks my heart that this wonderful human who has so much desire to change things for the good of us all is being sent to prison while there is an idiot, rasict, fascist, power hungery, born again monster running our country and trying to run the world into Bush hell.

After he's done his time.

Until then, he can sit in jail and contemplate what he did wrong.

Sam. Are you 13 years old or what? Do you have any idea at all what fascism really is? Or do you, like most of the imbeciles on this board, just think it sounds reqally cool.

You obviously have no idea how utterly silly and stupid you make yourself out to be when you use it incorrectly multiple times in a post.

Here's a good rule of thumb...if the word fascism or any of it's derivatives is used anywhere farther than, oh, say, about 7 words before or after the words Hitler, Mussolini or Berkeley, it's a good bet that it's being misused.

There you go. You're welcome.

I'll tell you what it is Fresca. Facisim is simply corporate control of the very rich over the masses by use of an oppressive police state and propoganda. Sound familiar, It's pretty much the model the Bush Administration uses. In fact if I'm not mistaken Good old Prescot Bush, (W's granddad) was stripped of assests for trading with the Nazies. In fact US corporate elite like Henry Ford and Randolf Hirst admired the corporate facisim models of Germany and Italy . Especialy the oppresion of unions and the use of slave labor.
Quit picking on the kids bitch, I got your number.

Okay, I the whole 'I'm angry at my govt' thing that you all have but..... get a life. I think that if everyday, someone in your family rode a plane into a building becuase of some Muslim mook, you would get pissed off. There off my soapbox. Now to the real issue. It seems that Sherman has built up this site to Anarchy. I hate to burst your bubble, but Anarchy doesn't work. Bitch and moan all you want. But it doesn't change anything. All anarchy will do, is create nepotism and eventually bleed down to a feudal system. Okay, now you want to start talking about 'true' anarchy...... well in out world, the strong must protect the weak. That is the key issue here not throwing off some big government. The strong must protect the weak. Without this sort of dogma, half of you blazoned idiots wouldn't be here. Lets face it, half of are skinny or fat pieces of no-good- consumptive goo. All you do is sit around and do nothing but preach about anarchy. In the first few days of anarchy, most of you would die. You are weak. You are not physically weak, but your mind is weak. To believe in something so stupid as anarchy..... something isn't ticking right. This Sherman, isn't being charged just with the bomb thing, he is being charged with computer fraud. Take that where you want to go with it. He should be locked up. He commited a crime, in fact several. I don't mean to be patronizing. But you foret yourselves. This country was founded under freedom, and it is people like Joe Lieberman, John Kerry, George Bush, and John Mc Cain, that make our country what it is. It was people like Roosevelt, and Wilson that made our country what it is. They have made this environment where you mooks can preach about stupidity, that is your right. But when you talk about violently overthrowing the government, that makes me sick. If you were silenced somehow, i think that it would make this country a better place. Sherman should rot, just like any other criminal. Sherman.... is an a-hole.

"oppressive police state and propoganda."

Your description of US fascism sounds good and scary there wavemaster. Too bad it doesn't hold water.
Wher eis this "police oppression" you speak of? Is it exemplified when a cop gets fired and tried for assault when he slaps a kid trying to assault HIM?

You spew all this fascism nonsense and use all the proper buzzwords, but your stil coming off like a teenage idiot.

Fascism is a very definite ideology. One which has never even come close to appearing here.

But please continue with your crying and moaning and the rest of us will keep laughing at you chasing shadows.

who was the original author and is S/He getting any jail time as well. Why or why not?
Thanks

original author

No. Sherman is the FIRST PERSON to be witch-hunted in this manner. Amazon books and many MANY other websites have far more "dangerous information" than what Sherman only linked to.

There was clearly an agenda behind this "example".

If you read the documentation (all of it) you'll see this.

They decided to go after him
1.) because he was an easy target
2.) to make an example out of him

Because I, for one, am tired of seeing his ugly dreadlocked puss every day.

Well then "glinnes" if you're so tired then the answer is simple - GO AWAY

But then, who would keep an eye on you shitbird leftists?

Way to go, G. Whenever we asinine conservatives have nothing intelligent to say (which is 99.9% of the time), we can always just sit there and make up idiotic names like "shitbird." It really helps demonstrate how juvenile we really are. Great job!

I knew YOU'D appreciate it.

You're welcome, asswipe.