Some of the folks at the Free Congress Foundation have been longtime subscribers to Politech, so it's a shame to see them toss about the term "treason" so loosely. Treason is a deadly serious crime, and accusations should not be made lightly. The U.S. Constitution says: "Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court." It's not just Free Congress: "'It's almost like treason' not to back troops, vet says" http://miva.jacksonsun.com/miva/cgi-bin/miva?NEWS/news_story.mv+link=20030327481001 0 "Treason in Ithaca" http://frontpagemag.com/articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=6819 At least in 2001, the Free Congress foundation was a close ideological ally of Ashcroft's and worked diligently to ensure Ashcroft's Senate confirmation as attorney general (http://www.freecongress.org/media/2001/010131.asp). Let's hope that Ashcroft's Justice Department doesn't take such a loose view of what kinds of antiwar protests are treasonous. Unfortunately, this doesn't reassure me at all: "Ashcroft likens criticism of DOJ power grab to 'aiding terrorists'" http://www.politechbot.com/p-02900.html -Declan --- Free Congress Foundation's Notable News Now March 28, 2003 The Free Congress Commentary Anti-war Protestors: It's Time YOU Start Imitating Our Troops! By Lisa S. Dean When it comes to supporting freedom of speech, I'm right there fighting with the next guy. But as with anything, there are limits to what freedom of speech can tolerate. In San Francisco last week, protesters rallied carrying a banner reading, "We Support Our Troops Who Shoot Their Officers." Now, moronic slogans such as "Bush is Hitler" and "Uncle Sam is a Terrorist" are tolerated because we, as a nation, support the right for even the dumbest of our citizens to publicly dissent. That's what democracy is all about, or so they say. But that banner isn't expressing dissent and it's not freedom of speech. It's supporting sedition and is downright treasonous. In an attempt to calm the fury of patriots who wanted to rip these protesters in two, an apparently soft-hearted resident of San Francisco rationally explained where these protestors were coming from. He opined that they have fallen on hard times because of the dot.com failures and are lashing out at anything in order to vent their frustration. Nice try but NO SALE! You mean to say that someone can act irresponsibly, even going so far as to put the lives of others at risk, just because you are throwing a temper tantrum over your miserable, sorry life? I don't think so. Look, whatever you may think about this war, remember that these men and women are serving their nation and as a citizen of their nation, they are serving YOU. They are putting their lives at risk FOR YOU. They aren't doing this for publicity, or for some other self-serving reason, they are doing it FOR YOU. And in case you didn't hear me, let me say it again, THEY ARE RISKING THEIR LIVES FOR YOU! So instead of insulting them, why not try imitating them? Skip Starbucks, throw down your protest banners and go help out in a soup kitchen. Go mentor a needy child. Go do something thoughtful for a family who has a loved one in Iraq right now. In other words, go and do something other than sitting around feeling sorry for yourself and taking out your self-pity on a society that you think owes you the comfortable lifestyle to which you have become accustomed. Spend some time contributing something to the country by serving somebody else, just like our troops. Lisa S. Dean is Director of the Center for Technology Policy at the Free Congress Foundation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH evening reception in New York City at 7 pm, April 1, 2003 at CFP: http://www.politechbot.com/events/cfp2003/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH -- Declan McCullagh's politics and technology mailing list You may redistribute this message freely if you include this notice. To subscribe to Politech: http://www.politechbot.com/info/subscribe.html This message is archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ Declan McCullagh's photographs are at http://www.mccullagh.org/ Like Politech? Make a donation here: http://www.politechbot.com/donate/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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