-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
Bernard von NotHaus, 67, was convicted making coins resembling and similar to United States coins; of issuing, passing, selling and possessing Liberty Dollar coins; of issuing and passing Liberty Dollar coins intended for use as current money; and of conspiracy against the United States.
von NotHaus was charged with violation of 18 U.S.C. § 485, conspiracy to possess and sell coins in resemblance or similitude of any foreign gold or silver coin current in the United States or in actual use and circulation as money within the United States.
A coin with the image of Ron Paul is similar to actual U.S. coinage? Well, it is round. Wouldn’t the image on Ron Paul actually make the coin dissimilar to any U.S. coinage?
The FBI, in a press release, has absurdly labeled von NotHaus’s actions “domestic terrorism.”
U.S. Attorney Anne M. Tompkins said:
While these forms of anti-government activities do not involve violence, they are every bit as insidious and represent a clear and present danger to the economic stability of this country.
This kind of hyperbolic nonsense makes a mockery out of the justice system. The economic system is not so fragile as to be threatened by the Liberty Dollar.
It seems to me that the Liberty Dollar is a form of protected political speech. I look forward to the appeal.