From: "Randy H" 

Be careful what you ask for: (from Politech:)

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=2003032
7481001

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.







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"Richard B."  wrote in message
news:lq0h8vs449rv9doe38g0mkhiubc94ckopu{at}4ax.com...
> On Mon, 31 Mar 2003 13:50:01 GMT, Steve Ewing  wrote:
>
>
> >Is Arnett exercising his right to say whatever the hell he
> >wants?  Is he courageous for expressing a view he knew would
> >be unpopular back home (apparently not: "March 31 -- Peter
> >Arnett apologizes for the interview he gave to Iraqi TV,
> >saying he made a 'stupid misjudgement.')?
>
> Judging from what happens to some journalists who even remotely
> criticize the regime, I'd say he's statements of support are what has
> kept him in good grace with the henchmen. I double dare him to make
> some severe negative statements and see what happens. They know how to
> "execute" truth there. Hangings, bullets in heads, shredders, all
> sweet rewards.
>
> - Richard

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