Is Free Speech Dead? She Was Arrested For Saying Three Words

Free speech rights are supposed to protect Americans, but if you criticize a healthcare company, you could go to prison like this woman.

Thom Hartmann explains.

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VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Brianna Boston is a little old lady down in Florida who had a claim with UnitedHealthcare. Actually, I'm pretty sure it was UnitedHealthcare—though I might be wrong—but she had a claim with her insurance company. She called, and it was denied. So, she tried to appeal it, but they basically said, "Screw you. We're going to deny your claim. Tough luck. You're going to have to pay it, not us."

Her response was, and I quote: "Delay, deny, depose. Healthcare companies play games and deserve karma from the world because they are evil." She went on to say that she used the phrase because that's what's in the news right now.

The Lakeland Police Chief, Sam Taylor, arrested her. She is being held on $100,000 bail for terroristic threats. I'm looking at Qasim Rashid's newsletter, Let's Address This. It's over on Substack; if you go to Substack and search for "Let's Address This," it'll come right up.

In his newsletter, Rashid says: "What actual threat did she make?" He adds, "As an attorney who represents women who are survivors of domestic violence, I cannot count how many times a survivor sought a restraining order against an abusive partner and could not obtain one, despite past abuse and despite new threats like, 'I'm going to bash your face in.' That phrase was considered too vague and unclear. What makes Blue Cross—and oh, it was Blue Cross Blue Shield she was talking about—so special that they can deny a woman's healthcare claim and then get her arrested for terrorism because she peacefully and verbally expressed her frustration?"

He continues: "Likewise, as a human rights lawyer who has also literally survived violent death threats made against me, and even testified in federal court against the men who threatened to kill me, I have to ask: What about her statement was a threat? 'Delay, deny, depose' is a common insurance statement. Brilliant, brilliant."

Meanwhile, 62% of Americans—according to a survey recently conducted by Gallup in the wake of the assassination of Brian Thompson—now believe the government should make sure all Americans have healthcare coverage. We're getting there, slowly.

There will be significant setbacks over the next two years. It's going to be a really rough time; America is likely to descend into darkness. There's no doubt about that. It's all around us—they're crowing about it, they're bragging about it. But that said, you know me—I've always been an optimist. I think we're going to bounce back from this, and I think we'll bounce back well.

I really believe the Fourth Turning is here. If not for Elon Musk and Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump would not be coming into the White House, and we would be seeing a new, progressive administration. But we'll have to wait four years for that. We'll all be a little older by then, but hopefully, we'll still be around.

[JohnGamerlTHEROYALBAVARIAN]

Delay. Deny. Depose. WE WILL RESIST. !

[louis_the_hedgehog]

"Want to know who rules over you? Find out who you can't criticize."
~Voltaire

[sallyrucker]

She is in her 40’s. She is a mother and wife. She is being used as a pawn by the legal system to show us what we have coming if we should question anything these Healthcare providers should choose to do.

[hunnybunnyu]

Well, it’s the hypocrisy. Free speech isn’t dead for 45. He can spew 24-7 his threats.

[guztavomartinez]

The Civil Liberties Union needs to get involved,
Please!!

[youngishturnipboone]

wow, free speech may be dead, she should sue the judge

[Gerryjournal]

Americans do bang on and on about their freedoms, but let's be honest, America doesn't even make the top 20 list of most free countries

[Cylus]

That is not a threat, and she must sue them for wrongful incarceration

[JugglinJellyTake]

Judge should have investigated the grounds for Blue Cross's rejection of her claim.

[waltgodsoe]

I went to see a cardiologist for a 2nd opinion, in Lakeland. I was asked by the nurse, if I had suicidal thoughts as part of new patient intake. I answered honestly and said yes, but I was under care at the VA for PTSD. Next thing I know I'm arrested and placed in some mental health lockup with a bunch of teenage kids. I'm over 70. They held me for 24 hours and had the audacity to bill me. Lakeland Florida locks you up for the fines and fees they collect. I turned to lawyers, they declined . Civil rights mean nothing here. I make it point to step out as little as possible.

[AffiliateWealth]

She will get off and then she can sue the hell out of that Police department

[mikethespike]

"62% of Americans now believe the government should make sure all Americans have healthcare coverage." Sure, and then they go and vote for politicians who are in the pockets of the health insurance industry. You simply can't make this stuff up...

[asbeautifulasasunset]

A mother of three, 42 years old, no weapons, no criminal history, no evidence of a plan to carry out violence is now being held in maximum security. $100K bail. Her first court date January 14, 2025.

[SaidAhmad]

What do you wanna bet we won’t be hearing about this from CNN?

[vivalaleta]

Unbelievable!! When do we go out in the street all together?

[stevejette]

The sheriff is hoping to get a MAJOR donation from Blue DoubleCross/ Blue Shield to his next election.

[scottjackson]

That old lady should be released. The police chief, needs at internal affairs investigation. The Insurance company should by fined $10, 000 per day, that her claim is denied. Retroactive to the initial denied claim date.

[thdudeabides]

It's over on appeal. If 3 words delay, deny, depose can constitute a life threatening violation of the law, then words and law no longer matter as any word can then be deemed threatening.

[marilynaicardi]

“America is going to descend into darkness “… Truer were never spoken, Thom. I am terrified about the next few years. I’m 82 years old, and I haven’t been this afraid about our country since the racial upheavals in the 1960’s … but I think this is worse! 😢😢😢

[johnnyfreedom]

I was forced to use the healthcare industry throughout my working career. I was even suckered into Medicare Plus for a couple of years but I am back to the government now! 50% of our Healthcare money funds the healthcare industry! We need universal healthcare and save 50%!