US FBI Probes Conservative Blogger for Opposing GOP Rep.

Last year, Clay Bowler became active in politics. He didn’t support Billy Long, a Republican* running for U.S. Congress in his southwest Missouri district, so he started a website, began attending campaign events, and even started asking the candidate tough questions. But when Long eventually won, Bowler — and his website Long is Wrong — went away.

So when the FBI showed up at his door recently saying he was a perceived threat to the congressman, he was shocked.

“I’m not a threat to Billy Long,” Bowler, who says he’s a conservative, told KSPR on Thursday. “I find the whole thought very funny, because I’m such an advocate for constitutional rights that I would never do anything that would put in jeopardy those constitutional rights like the Second Amendment.”

Bowler admitted he confronted Long in the past, but never threatened him. “I never threatened Billy Long, never,” he said. Bowler showed KSPR the worst of his “confrontations” — a YouTube video showing him walking with Long and asking him questions, more of a journalistic inquiry than a threatening tirade:

But that reportedly didn’t stop FBI agents, accompanied by a local sheriff, from investigating him. But how did they get his name?

The local sheriff told KSPR that Capitol police are actively soliciting the names of possible threats from members of Congress in the wake of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’s assassination attempt. And he admitted there are more names his office is looking into — names that came from Long.

When it came to the actual investigation, Bowler told the news station the FBI was cordial, but it’s still worrisome that somehow he got put on a list and that local and federal law officials showed up at his door. But, he added, he was told he has been cleared and is not a threat.

“The FBI goes, ‘Don’t see anything wrong with that; that’s just part of holding our elected officials responsible and accountable,’” he said.

Long’s office did not return a KSPR request for comment.

(H/T: Andrea Shea King)

*Editor’s note: This story originally incorrectly stated that Billy Long was a Democrat.

Comments (204)

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  • Bic
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 9:32am

    Who is threatened? The Congressman who doesn’t want to answer the questions of a constituent blogger? OR The Constituent Blogger who is visited and questioned with the hanging threat of arrest by armed law enforcement and the FBI?

    Who need protection for who?

    Report Post »  
  • Ruffus
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 9:29am

    THIS IS NOT A KNEE-JERK reaction – this is a planned roll-out, simply waiting for an opportunity. Stop being so REACTIVE yourselves…prepare and understand…….systematic destruction of our constitutions and the rights it protects since 1919. “Baby steps to one-world dictatorship”….

    Report Post »  
  • Skutt
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 9:26am

    It sounds to me like this whole thing is being blown out of proportion. Clay Bowler was investigated by the authorities in the wake of the Tuscon shooting and found to be no threat, end of story. If things go further than they have then it will be time to get excited about losing our constitutional rights.

    Report Post »  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:29am

      I disagree. I’m not saying that there was definitely an abuse of Constitutional rights, but ther are serious procedural irregularities here. Almost all abuses of the Constitution start off well intenioned. We need to be respectful of the poilice and FBI, but also vigilant and nipping a bad development in the bud before it grows too large.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • wash1776
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:52am

      Just try saying something like that guy said and the media getting ahold of it. See how fast the FBI or CIA would be at YOUR door.

      Report Post »  
  • jdog777
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 9:16am

    This isn’t an error on the side of caution. This is intimidation. Before a law enforcement officer confronts a citizen… they need to have evidence a crime took place or in process. This little fiasco is an attack on free speech, no doubt.

    Report Post »  
  • Pyx
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 9:11am

    The democRATs are just maintaining their POLITICAL ENEMIES list.

    Report Post » Pyx  
    • BungalowBillCW
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 9:14am

      Billy Long is a Republican claiming to be Tea Party who created this enemies list. Don’t be fooled by the DeceptiCONS.

      Report Post »  
  • Notorrius
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 9:09am

    Well if the FBI is going to do investigations on bloggers they better go over to CNN and Huffbo and investigate all the people wishing Sarah Palin death wishes.

    The FBI and CIA has nothing to do but investigate citizens then I call for them to really investigate these death threats made about Palin and Bauchman

    Report Post »  
    • wash1776
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:35am

      The FBI and the CIA are working under a DAMOCRATIC, LEFTIST, RADICAL, SOCIALIST, PROGRESSIVE, COMMUNIST clown in the white house. So what makes anyone think they would be allowed to care about us peons while that worm is in office?

      Report Post »  
  • svedka
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 9:04am

    I heard someone on the news call it McCarthyism, can this term be revived to mean the opposite of what it meant, I am so frusterated about the blither, there was a man blithering on Hannity last night about all the hatred and the vitriole at the rallys of the right, didn’t have one hard example and Sean held his feet to the fire but the same guy on lamestream media just rattles on and on like a crazy street person. Knock on our door and you will be so alarmed by the rottweillers you won’t even notice the guns.

    Report Post » svedka  
  • bdwerner5
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 9:04am

    This is our worst nightmare coming true. The lists now are being acted on. Sounds like Nazi Germany to me.

    Report Post »  
  • FrankSpeak
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:56am

    This is not a problem yet. But if others start coming out with similar stories, then we must alert the calvary. (Our reps in Congress)

    Report Post » FrankSpeak  
  • 1minuteman
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:54am

    one of the leaders of the tea party in tuscon arizona has been getting death threats regularly from the left since the shooting. how come no one in the fbi is looking into that? probably because obama and eric holder have no problem when someone white is threatened. remember blacl panthers on election day. funny how that went away. where was all the outrage then?

    Report Post » 1minuteman  
  • BungalowBillCW
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:53am

    I am the blogger featured in the story. My blog is at http://bungalowbillscw.blogspot.com

    This is an abuse of power by Congressman Long who claims to be Tea Party. I did nothing but engage in the political process through social media and tried to ask a Congressional candidate questions that tried to expose Mr. Long wasn’t ever Tea Party, but part of the establishment he claimed to be fed up with. For this, I am experiencing the small town cronieism of a Sheriff from a county I don’t even live in assisting this new Congressman possibly deliver anything negative about me they could find in order to justify this Sheriff coming into my county without the permission of Sheriff Joey Kyle to assist the FBI with these trumped up accusations, which videos on YouTube show I am just doing my part by pursuing questions and hoping for answers from another politicians ready to play business as usual in Washington, DC. Billy Long is not a defender of free speech, and has shown by taking advantage of the Gabrielle Giffords case that he is willing to abuse power to silence his critics. This wasn’t the first instance as there were other attempts during the campaign.

    Report Post »  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 9:14am

      Well done. We conservatives and Tea Partiers must police our own and those who falsly claim to be with us.

      Is there a personal relationship between the Green County Sheriff Arnott and Rep. Long? Arnott neeeds to be asked why he was there and why he didn’t infrom Sheriff Kyle. They’re both Republicans, but Kyle looks more conservative in his bio.

      Islesfordian  
    • chickenlittle
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:34am

      I’ve said it before on this site, and it’s getting out of hand if you ask me, JONATHON SEIDL is not an editor or a journalist. He’s does not spell, punctuate, edit, or proofread his stories before they go to print. It appears that he rushes stuff to get online and fill the space… his headlines reflect playing to what he thinks is his audience. He’s obviously the main daytime “assistant” editor for this site and I’m starting to question his credibility… hence, aside from the comments section, when are we going to get a “pure news” site and less “yellow journalism?“ The BLAZE is turning into another ”fluff” blog, where you can’t rely on any accuracy. I also live in MO and can attest to everything Bungalo says.

      If I wanted to trust stories that get corrected and edited by the readers, I’d consider Wikopedia as a prime reference source. As for having Glenn’s name attached to this “news site” I’d hope that there would be MORE, not less, emphasis on literacy and accuracy… come on Mr. Beck, I’m a great fan of yours, but stop in the office once in a while, please.

      Report Post » chickenlittle  
  • wash1776
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:50am

    This is no surprise. Anyone in the congress will run like a rabbit at the first sign they might be in danger. Funny how fast the FBI steps up to protect the lying, cheating congress while the rest of us have to worry about our safety with the open borders and favoritism to so many special interests and groups.

    Report Post »  
  • TexasGranny
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:40am

    The errors have been corrected!!! It now shows Billy Long as a Republican. Thanks Blaze

    Report Post »  
  • constitutionaldirective
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:36am

    Trollbrainer; the average liberal uses 3 news sources a day.. the average conservatives uses ELEVEN!! You can come with us but you’re gonna have to shut up and sit in the back!

    Report Post » constitutionaldirective  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:45am

      You’re making us conservatives look bad when you insult people who merely point out errors.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
  • lel2007
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:31am

    Every conqueror through out time has had a ‘List’ of enemies. At the strategic moment it becomes a list of targets. Silence and disarm the masses, eliminate the opposition, maybe even “punish your enemies”.
    “Our safety, our liberty, depends upon preserving the Constitution of the United States as our fathers made it inviolate. The people of the United States are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.” ~ Abraham Lincoln
    “My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. I hope you’ll join with me, as we try to change it.” ~ Barack Obama
    “A Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.” ~ John Adams

    It took Hitler about 30 days to castrate Germany’s Constitution.

    “Like a sentry at his station, after a time, Man simply falls asleep at his post… and it is then that the fire goes out and the wolves enter the camp.” ~ unknown

    Report Post » lel2007  
  • Lightningbob
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:30am

    Now let’s remember something very important! The FBI didn’t come to his house because he was a precieved threat until someone in Government said, hey” this guy has an opposing view I think he needs to be SILENCED. I’ll leave the rest to the imagination…

    Report Post »  
  • suzy000
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:29am

    Now our constitutional rights are in question because we are exercising our rights? Huh? I’m confusing myself. This government headed by the left in today’s atmosphere is poison. We need to be calm and work hard so in 2012, we can get this country back on track at the ballot box.

    Report Post »  
  • microace
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:24am

    When the Nazis came for the communists,
    I remained silent;
    I was not a communist.

    When they locked up the social democrats,
    I remained silent;
    I was not a social democrat.

    When they came for the trade unionists,
    I did not speak out;
    I was not a trade unionist.

    When they came for the Jews,
    I remained silent;
    I wasn’t a Jew.

    When they came for me,
    there was no one left to speak out.

    Report Post »  
  • numbers
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:23am

    Divide and conquer. If you single out average citizens you can quietly and slowly intimidate, embarrass, or otherwise squelch opposition.

    Report Post »  
  • martnee777
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:22am

    The administrations 2010 National Security Strategy of home grown terrorists. It was a solution in search of a problem. Now a lone mad man has provided the problem. The silencing of conservative dissent will continue under the guise of national security. As I predicted, a win by Republicans in Congress to provide the illusion of equal representation. Then some sort of national emergency, to allow the investigation of dissenting voices. After all who would want to speak out and then have the FBI show up at your door. The tragedy in Tuson had NOTHING to do will political rhetoric, but is still being characterized and pursued as such. Welcome to the new world order.

    Report Post » martnee777  
  • BlueCollared
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:19am

    I bet if he went and bought a gun any time soon he’d get another visit.

    Report Post »  
  • darlenekay
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:16am

    Right on, emertz8413

    Report Post »  
  • Sledgehammer
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:15am

    First, I support all law enforcement, from what I‘ve seen there’s nothing here. They werre following a complaint(?), from a (man) to small for the shoes he’s in. But we should never expect all law enforcers to be honorable and true, (i.e. the idiot in AZ) Also being from CT. I have had visit(s) from both local and federal law enforcerment, even had coffee with them! Nice guys & gals!

    Report Post » Sledgehammer  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:15am

    This if frightening and is only the first step. Criticize a politician and he can turn your name into the FBI to be investigated for being a “perceived” threat? And who decides whether or not it is a “perceived” threat? Why, the politician of course. If this doesn‘t put a damper on free political speech I don’t know what does, and I can see just how attractive it would look to ANY politician. It just so happens that at this time the prime targets may be conservatives, but how quickly can that change. Will the Liberals and Democrats wait until it starts happening to him before they start complaining? Every citizen should be very concerned about a politician being able to have a citizen investigated for disagreeing with them. We all should be.

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
  • trolltrainer
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:12am

    Islesfordian is right:

    http://billylongforcongress.com/

    Blaze: You have a serious responsibility here. You post pieces selected to get conservatives stirred up. You can deny this but it is obvious, just look at all the articles on the left attacking the right in the wake of the Loughner shooting. Anyone that gets their news solely from this site should back up, take a deep breath, and turn on FNC for an hour or two a day… That said, this site is not necessarily a bad thing when kept in perspective. But this site has a grave responsibility to make sure the story is correct before getting everyone all stirred up.

    In this case, no matter which party Long is in, this seems to be quite the overreach on the part of the FBI. When we get to the point where we cannot question and oppose our ELECTED representative then we are finished. People on ALL sides should be VERY concerned about this!

    Report Post »  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:30am

      I’m not sure I would criticize the FBI here. It looks like they were going on information supplied by the Congressman. What is an important story is that the Congressman would turn over Bowler’s name as a possible threat when there was no evidence of anything threatening. And Long is new to Congress and already he seems to be getting a wee bit paranoid.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:37am

      “Arnott said U.S. Capitol police canvassed members of Congress to come up with a list of people across the country who might be considered potential threats to members of Congress. It’s up to local law enforcement to protect members of Congress when they return to their home districts.”

      This is the real story. How did the FBI get the names from the Capitol police? And why was Sheriff Arnott with the FBI at Bowler’s home when Bowler lives in another jurisdiction? Procedural rules seem to have been violated on a number of fronts here.

      This needs to be investigated.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • BeckIsNuts
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:39am

      TrollTrainer, you are right on target with your observations. You echo my sentiments exactly. I have said time and again here that this website is used as a tool to keep Glenn’s audience riled up. I must say, there are some real wide awake thinkers emerging from the usual suspects here on The Blaze lately. I wish more would join us here in public. Not to say that I don‘t appreciate all the kind and supporting messages I’ve received via email from Blazers, but I hope they also would have the courage to speak up here in this public forum as well. Glenn has quite an operation going and it is not helping the conservative cause, contrary to what some here think.

      Report Post »  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 11:17am

      Do not include me in your paranoid delusions of Beck! I will admit that The Blaze does indeed seem to have an agenda to showcase the most volatile stories of left wing hate and corruption, but I also understand that this is needed. Liberal attacks need to be met head on and awareness of liberal hate needs to be shown to the public.

      Beckisnuts, you are one sick puppy. Initially I felt you just have an irrational hatred of Beck and I can accept that. But the more you post the more you show us how mentally ill you really are. You not only watch Beck every day but you also listen to his radio show! You are on a crusade to destroy him. Your hatred of Beck consumes you to the point where you spend your days immersed in everything Beck. Dude, go take a walk, find a hobby! Beck is just this guy, you know…Just walk away from him…Just walk away from us…Please seek help…

      Report Post »  
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