Brandon Raub's Lawyer Talks

A judge has released Brandon Raub, but the full story is chilling.

Lew Rockwell has just completed an important  interview with Brandon Raub's lawyer John Whitehead, here.

Brandon Raub and the Thought Police

A judge has ruled that Brandon Raub should be released, below is a video message from John Whitehead of the Rutherford Institute discussing the Ruab case before news broke that a judge ruled in Raub's favor.

Although it is a relief the judge ruled in Raub's favor, it remains chilling that local police, the FBI, the Secret Service and a magistrate all found no problem with the kidnapping of Raub, when he had committed no crimes and displayed no threat to anyone.

Judge Orders Release of Brandon Raub

Developing...

UPDATE (Via AP)


A judge has ordered the release of Brandon Raub who was detained for psychiatric evaluation after posting  anti-government messages on Facebook.

Prince George County Circuit Judge W. Allan Sharrett said at the end of a one-hour hearing that the involuntary commitment order issued by a magistrate against Raub was invalid because it contained no allegation or basis to hold him, according to the head of a civil liberties organization that represented the 26-year-old veteran.

Oath Keepers to Rally in Support of Brandon Raub

From Stewart Rhodes, Founder of Oath Keepers:

Oath Keepers is coming to the aid of this young Marine veteran and our rallying cry will be “CHARGE HIM, OR RELEASE HIM.”  We cannot allow “mental illness” designations to be used as a weapon against political dissidents in America.... this is exactly what the Soviet Union did to dissidents who dared to criticize the communist regime - they were labeled “insane” and carted off to mental wards.  Now it has begun here in America.  This is a blatant circumvention of constitutional criminal due process which is every bit as dangerous as being designated an “unlawful combatant” under the NDAA and taken away to a military brig for detention without charges.  How is this any different?  Mental health detention can be used in exactly the same way.This is an incredibly dangerous crossing of a critical line in the sand - the politicization of the mental health system, using it as a weapon against dissidents to punish them for their constitutionally protected political speech.  This case is the camel’s nose under the tent, and we need to stomp on it HARD, right now. And we will.

Rhodes also  interviewed Cathleen Thomas about her son’s ordeal.  Also on the interview was Oath Keepers Eastern U.S. Vice President Rand Cardwell (a Marine Scout-sniper veteran).  You can listen to that interview here.

BTW: Here is a report from Taylor Conant on the Oath Keepers.

HOT: Brandon Raub Being Transferred to Veterans Hospital Psych Ward

Special Justice Walter Douglass Stokes for the General District Court for the City of Hopewell, Va., has denied an emergency motion filed by attorneys for The Rutherford Institute to stop former Marine Brandon Raub from being forcibly transferred to a psychiatric facility more than three hours away from his family, friends and legal team.

Raub, who was arrested, detained indefinitely in a psych ward and forced to undergo psychological evaluations based solely on the controversial nature of lines from song lyrics, political messages and virtual card games which he posted to his private Facebook page, is being transferred from John Randolph Psychiatric Medical Hospital in Hopewell to the Veterans Hospital in Salem, Va., on the other side of the state.

“This is not how justice in America is supposed to work—with Americans being arrested for doing nothing more than exercising their First Amendment rights, forced to undergo psychological evaluations, detained against their will and isolated from their family, friends and attorneys. This is a scary new chapter in our history,” said John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute. “Brandon Raub is no different from the majority of Americans who use their private Facebook pages to post a variety of content, ranging from song lyrics and political hyperbole to trash talking their neighbors, friends and government leaders.”

In a hearing before Special Justice Walter Douglass Stokes on August 20, government officials again pointed to Raub’s Facebook posts as the sole reason for their concern and for his continued incarceration. Ignoring Raub’s explanations about the fact that the FB posts were being read out of context and his attorney’s First Amendment defense, Stokes sentenced the former Marine to up to 30 days’ further confinement in a psych ward and signed a court order for Raub’s involuntary admission to the Veterans Hospital in Salem. Rutherford Institute attorneys are in the process of filing various emergency motions and procedural appeals to challenge Raub’s detention.

Adam Kokesh Interviews Brandon Raub from the Psych Ward

Beyond the Grabbing of Brandon Raub

The grabbing of Brandon Raub appears not to be an isolated incident. Thanks to a commenter who left a link to this chilling story.

Welcome to the United Soviet States of America

A day more significant than 9-11-01 should be marked in the history books: 8-16-12. On that day an American, minding his own business, outside of ranting on his Facebook page, was forcibly taken without charge from his home.

The muscle used to grab Brandon Raub was local Chesterfield County, VA police. Also present during the grab were agents of the FBI and of the Secret Service.

Both the FBI and the Secret Service claim that they were only observing and not participating in the grab. The Chesterfield County police initially stated that they were only carrying out a request from the federal agencies.

The police also claim Raub is not under arrest, even though he was led away in handcuffs and is not permitted to leave the psychiatric ward of a hospital---even though it appears that Raub is not in  any way in need of psychological care.

I note this happened in the United States of America, with local police, FBI agents and Secret Service taking part.

This is extremely chilling. The presence of the FBI and Secret Service certainly implies a significant degree of planning in this effort at a very high level.

I wouldn't doubt there are tens of thousands of people who have written comments on Facebook similar to those written by Raub. Never before would any of those people feared a knock on the door from local police and federal agents.  That has changed.

Let's see if America cares, and what uproar the Raub Grab causes. If it doesn't cause major uproar amongst the people, government has won a major battle against its citizens. I have written before that as long as we have free speech, we have a great amount of freedom in this country, but once freedom of speech is gone, it's all down hill from there. Fearing a knock on your door because of what you might write changes this country big time.

We are at the edge, if there is no uproar with the government backing down, this country is no better than the  old Soviet Union.

My guess is that we will lose.  There aren't enough people who care. From here on out, watch what you say and what you write, even on Facebook.

HOT: Statement from Brandon Raub's Attorneys

The Rutherford Institute has come to the defense of a former Marine, 26-year-old Brandon Raub, who was arrested, detained indefinitely in a psych ward and forced to undergo psychological evaluations based solely on the controversial nature of lines from song lyrics, political messages and virtual card games which he posted to his private Facebook page. Although the FBI and Chesterfield County police have not charged Brandon Raub, a resident of Chesterfield County, Va., with committing any crime, they arrested Raub on Thursday, August 16, 2012, and transported him to John Randolph Medical Center, where he was held against his will due to alleged concerns that his Facebook (FB) posts were controversial and “terrorist in nature.” In a hearing held at the hospital, government officials disregarded Raub’s explanation that the Facebook posts were being interpreted out of context, sentencing him up to 30 days’ further confinement in a VA psych ward. In coming to Raub’s defense, Rutherford Institute attorneys are challenging Raub’s arrest and forcible detention, as well as the government’s overt Facebook surveillance and violation of Raub’s First Amendment rights.

 “For government officials to not only arrest Brandon Raub for doing nothing more than exercising his First Amendment rights but to actually force him to undergo psychological evaluations and detain him against his will goes against every constitutional principle this country was founded upon. This should be a wake-up call to Americans that the police state is here,” said John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute. “Brandon Raub is no different from the majority of Americans who use their private Facebook pages to post a variety of content, ranging from song lyrics and political hyperbole to trash talking their neighbors, friends and government leaders.”

Brandon Raub, a former Marine who has served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, was detained by FBI agents and police officers at his home in Chesterfield County based upon the nature of content posted to his Facebook page in recent months. Like many Facebook users, Raub uses his FB page to post songs lyrics and air his political opinions, as well as engage in virtual online games with other users. On Thursday, August 16, police and FBI agents arrived at Raub’s home, asking to speak with him about his Facebook posts. They did not provide Raub with a search warrant. Raub was cooperative and agreed to speak with them. Without providing any explanation, levying any charges against Raub or reading him his rights, law enforcement officials then handcuffed Raub and transported him first to the police headquarters, then to John Randolph Medical Center, where he was held against his will. Outraged onlookers filmed the arrest and posted the footage to YouTube. Law enforcement officials have stated in press reports that Raub was not arrested. However, as attorney John Whitehead points out, if the police have put handcuffs on you and you’re being held against your will, that qualifies as an arrest. In a hearing before a judge on August 20, government officials again pointed to Raub’s Facebook posts as the sole reason for their concern and for his continued incarceration. Ignoring Raub’s explanations about the fact that the FB posts were being read out of context and his attorney’s First Amendment defense, the judge agreed that Raub should be incarcerated at a VA hospital for up to 30 more days. Rutherford Institute attorneys are working to challenge Raub’s detention and the highly unconstitutional nature of the government’s actions.
The Rutherford Institute, a nonprofit civil liberties organization, provides legal assistance at no charge to individuals whose constitutional rights have been threatened or violated.

HOT: Raub Will Be Detained Indefinitely in Psych Ward

Developing...

Statement from Raub's attorney's is here. Apparently he will be held for at least 30 days in the psychiatric ward of John Randolph Medical Center.

Brandon Raub to Remain Detained over Facebook Posts

It appears no charges have been filed against Raub, however, he will be detained against his will  in the psych ward of the John Randolph Medical Center.

Developing...

Under What Grounds was Brandon Raub Pulled from His House and Taken to a Psychiatric Hospital?

The more details emerge about the government grab of Brandon Raub for his comments on his Facebook page, the more this resembles an old Soviet style grab of a dissident. Reports seem to indicate that Brandon Raub, who was taken by Chestrerfield County, Virginia police, was not arrested.

According to Richmond FBI spokeswoman Dee Rybiski, the agency did not arrest Raub, but took him to John Randolph Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation.

It is difficult to understand under what grounds an American can be grabbed by government agents and taken to a psychiatric medical center. This is not your grandfather's America.


UPDATE The latest via the Richmond Times Dispatch:

A Chesterfield County man and Marine veteran is in a local hospital after being picked up by federal and local law enforcement officials concerned about threatening Internet postings.

Brandon J. Raub, 26, was in Hopewell's John Randolph Medical Center on Saturday.

"I'm currently in John Randolph in the psychiatric ward being held against my will," Raub said in a telephone interview...

Raub said Secret Service, FBI and Chesterfield police officers came to his home Thursday. "They were concerned about me calling for the arrest of government officials," he said.

He was taken to the Chesterfield police station and then to the hospital, he said.

"I talked to a Secret Service gentleman for 20, 30 minutes," Raub said. "I was very cooperative and answered everything honestly.

"I really love America, and I think that idea that you can be detained and sent somewhere without due process and a lawyer … is crazy."

Raub said he has been raising questions about 9/11 and signed a petition to reopen investigation of the terrorist attacks...

"Our office had received a complaint about threatening posts," said Dee Rybiski, spokeswoman for the Richmond FBI office. "As we would do in any circumstance such as this, our office along with Chesterfield Police (Department) officers went to interview Mr. Raub.

"The FBI did not arrest him," Rybiski said. "We are not commenting any further."

Chesterfield police Lt. Rich McCullough said Saturday, "We were assisting the FBI in a matter. All we did was transport" him to John Randolph for medical evaluation.

According to Secret Service spokesman Max Milien in Washington, "That subject was not arrested by us on any charges."

Facebook is the Department of PreCrime

There is a very important article over at LRC by Paul Rosenberg on the recent  pre-crime arrest of Brandon Raub based on what he wrote on his Facebook page.

The article identifies the sentences that Raub wrote that mostly likely got the Secret Service and FBI all up in a  lather. They most are centered with "revolution". The Rosenberg article is must reading.

Once you finish that, head on over to an article Murray Rothbard wrote in 1969, The Meaning of Revolution. As always Murray's thinking was decades ahead of most.

Brandon Raub Article

Below is an article by  Brandon Raub, who was grabbed by Chesterfield County, Virginia police on Friday. These writings come via The Jeeny Us Corner. I have no idea of how reflective this is of Raub's overall writings. Raub's Facebook page is open only to friends.

November 11, 2011

America has lost itself.  We have lost who we truly are.  This is the land of the free and the home of the brave.  This is the land of Thomas Jefferson.  This is the land of Benjamin Franklin.  This is the land of Fredrick Douglas.  This is the land of Smedley Butler.  This is the land John F. Kennedy.  This is the land of Martin Luther King.  This is the land where the cowboy wins.  This is the land where you can start from the bottom and get to the top.  This is the land where regardless of you race and ethnicity you can succeed and build a better life for you and your family.  This is the land where every race coexists peacefully.  This is the land where justice wins.  This is the land where liberty dwells. This is the land where freedom reigns.  This is the land where we help the poor, and people help each other.  This is land where people beat racism.

The federal reserve is wrong.  They have designed a system based off of greed and fear.  They designed a system to crush the middle class between taxes and inflation.  This is wrong, and it is unjust.  It is wrong.

We have allowed ourselves to be deceive and seduced by the powers of the printing press.  It is not a good system.  It discourages saving: the foundation for all stable economic activity.  The federal reserve is artificially manipulating interests rates and creating phony economic data.  This thing has deceived our entire nation.

They created it 1913.  They also created the income tax in 1913.  They encouraged the growth of debt so they can tax you on it.  There is interest on the debt.  Your government is in bed with these people.  They want to enslave you to the government so that they can control every aspect of your lives.  It is an empire based on lies.  They operate of greed and fear.

There is a better way.  It’s called freedom.  Freedom is called a lot of things.  But there is a true meaning.  It means very simply that you have the right to do whatever you want as long as you are not infringing on the freedoms of other people.

I firmly believe that God set America apart from the other nations of the world.  He saved a place where people could come to  escape bad systems of government.  This system we have created works.  It really works.

There is evil going on all around the world.  The United States was meant to lead the charge against injustice, but through our example not our force.  People do not respond to having liberty and freedom forced on them.

Men and Women follow courage.  They follow leadership, and courage.  Our example has paved the way for people all around the world to change their forms of government.

Force is not the way because liberty is a powerful concept.  The idea that men can govern themselves is the basis for every just form of government.

We can govern ourselves.  We do not need to be governed by men who want to install a one world banking system.  These men have machine hearts.  Machine and unnatural hearts.  They have blocked out the possibility of a better world.  They fear human progress.  They have monopolies on everything.

This life can be free and beautiful.  There are enough resources on this earth to support the world’s population.  There are enough resources on this earth to feed everyone.  There is enough land for everyone to own their own land and farm, and produce their own energy.

These people have been hiding technology.  There are ways to create power easily.  There is technology that can provide free cheap power for everyone.  There are farming techniques that can feed the entire world.

They are controlling your media.  They have dumbed you down through your school systems.  They have systematically dismantled the constitution.  It is in rags.

The bill of rights is being systematically dismantled.  Men have spilled their blood for those rights.

Your sons and daughters, your brothers and sisters, and Americas best young men and women are loosing their limbs.  They are loosing their lives.  They are losing the hearts.  They do not know why they are fighting.  They are killing.  And they do not know why.

They have done some extraordinary acts.  Their deeds go before them.  But these wars are lies.  They are lies.  They deceived our entire nation with terrorism.  They have gotten us to hand them our rights.  Our Rights!  Men died for those rights!

September Eleventh was an inside job.  They blew up a third building in broad daylight.  Building 7.

Your leaders betrayed you.

You elected an aristocracy.  They are beholden to special interests.  They were brainwashed through the Council on Foreign Relations.  Your leaders are planning to merge the United States into a one world banking system.  They want to put computer chips in you.

These men have evil hearts.  They have tricked you into supporting corporate fascism.  We gave them the keys to our country.  We were not vigilant with our republic.

There is hope.  BUT WE MUST TAKE OUR REPUBLIC BACK.

HOT: Mother of Brandon Raub Talks

Brandon Raub, who was grabbed by Chesterfield County, Virginia police on Friday, appears to have been arrested by the police for resisting arrest, although it is not clear what he was arrested for in the first place. Secret Sevice and FBI agents were apparently at the scene of the arrest.

HOT: Ron Paul Supporter Grabbed by Police

On Friday, a man, who lists Ron Paul Liberty as a friend on his Facebook page, has been grabbed by Chesterfield, Virginia Police.

It is unclear if there are any charges against him or what charges, if any, could be made against him. . Here's the report from the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

A Chesterfield County man and Marine veteran is in a local hospital after being picked up by federal and local law enforcement officials concerned about threatening Internet postings.

Brandon J. Raub, 26, was in Hopewell's John Randolph Medical Center on Saturday.

"I'm currently in John Randolph in the psychiatric ward being held against my will," Raub said in a telephone interview.

Reports of his detention Thursday have gone viral on the Internet.

Raub said Secret Service, FBI and Chesterfield police officers came to his home Thursday. "They were concerned about me calling for the arrest of government officials," he said.

He was taken to the Chesterfield police station and then to the hospital, he said.

"I talked to a Secret Service gentleman for 20, 30 minutes," Raub said. "I was very cooperative and answered everything honestly.

"I really love America, and I think that idea that you can be detained and sent somewhere without due process and a lawyer … is crazy."

Raub said he has been raising questions about 9/11 and signed a petition to reopen investigation of the terrorist attacks.

On Wednesday, Raub posted on his Facebook page, "The Revolution is here. And I will lead it."

On Aug. 11, he posted: "I know many of you think I'm going crazy, and are wondering just why I have been posting the things I have been posting. I don't have the energy to explain. Just know that a new beginning is coming."

An Aug. 5 post said, "If you are unaware of the great amount of evil perpetrated by the American Government I suggest you take … your head out of the sand. The day of reckoning is almost at hand."

And on Aug. 4, he posted, "I am standing against a great evil. I will do it all by myself if I have to."

"Our office had received a complaint about threatening posts," said Dee Rybiski, spokeswoman for the Richmond FBI office. "As we would do in any circumstance such as this, our office along with Chesterfield Police (Department) officers went to interview Mr. Raub.

"The FBI did not arrest him," Rybiski said. "We are not commenting any further."

Chesterfield police Lt. Rich McCullough said Saturday, "We were assisting the FBI in a matter. All we did was transport" him to John Randolph for medical evaluation.

According to Secret Service spokesman Max Milien in Washington, "That subject was not arrested by us on any charges."

Raub said he served in the Marine Corps from 2005 to 2011 and was a combat engineer sergeant with service in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has a home silver numismatic-coin business.

Raub said he does not own a gun.

Below is video of the police grab. Note the number of what appear to be civilian dressed agents in the video.