It’s Time to Bring Back the Sedition Act: Newsweek Fabricates a Story about our Military.

nbeaujon.com ^ | May 19, 2004 | N. Beaujon

[WJHII]

It’s Time to Bring Back the Sedition Act Ratheresque in Proportion, Newsweek Fabricates a Story about our Military.

By N. Beaujon May 19, 2005

Last week Newsweek magazine printed a story alleging that soldiers at Guantamamo Bay routinely dropped their enemy captives' Holy Koran in the toilet during interrogations. The story, not surprisingly, set the Muslim world ablaze with rioting, violence and anti-American sentiment. Sixteen people died, one hundred were injured and “holy” Mullahs everywhere were calling for yet another jihad against the United States (a.k.a. - “The Great Satan”). What else is new?

The story, as it turned out, was an unsourced fabrication, a slander, a lie, rushed into print with Dan Rather-like zeal in an effort to humiliate, demoralize, and ultimately, endanger our military and Americans everywhere. Making U.S. soldiers’ job harder, more dangerous? Sure. U.S. establishment media “reporting for duty”. It’s time to bring back the Sedition Acts.

Early in our country’s founding, yes this was done by our founding fathers; there were a series of laws passed in anticipation of a possible war with France. The founders knew what problems big mouthed media traitors could cause during wartime and, in response, passed the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 which made it illegal for any person to "print, utter, or publish ... any false, scandalous, and malicious writing" against the government. [1]Plenty of journalists were tried for seditious libel, sadly, none of them were hanged but Congress didn’t stop there. The founding fathers, in their infinite wisdom passed the Alien and Naturalization part of the law which authorized the president to deport any alien considered dangerous, even in a peace time. (The remainder of this article can be read at http://nbeaujon.com/sedition_newsweek.htm )

[Jeffery T.]

Sounds like a good idea; and thanks for the history lesson.

[Mr. Jeeves]

The founders knew what problems big mouthed media traitors could cause during wartime and, in response, passed the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 which made it illegal for any person to "print, utter, or publish ... any false, scandalous, and malicious writing" against the government.

Putin is trying this tactic today. ;)

We don't need the Alien and Sedition Acts to come back - what we do need is honest media criticism by other media outlets. Since the MSM has refused to police itself, the blogsphere is taking up the slack. Within a few years, no one will ever trust an MSM story without logging on to find out what really happened...and when faced with irrelevance, the MSM will finally start (too late) to reform itslef.

[theDentist]

Hey! If it happened we should replace each copy of the Koran (which we originally provided by the way) with a new pig-skin bound one. :)

[JesseJane]

Should be ammended.

[jeffcassity]

I'm new to this site, but I have to say that your comment is out of line. It contributes nothing to the debate. It is only a tasteless and disrespectful remark.

[theDentist]

Life is rough. Deal with it.

[xJones]

We don't need the Alien and Sedition Acts to come back - what we do need is honest media criticism by other media outlets. Since the MSM has refused to police itself, the blogsphere is taking up the slack.

You're right, Jeeves. The MSM didn't have an effective checking system for decades. What Cronkite and others said was "the way it was", and there were no outlets for effective rebuttal. There was no Fox News, talk radio, and that most irritating internet!:)

One of the happiest things these days is how much so many of the MSM hate & despise those 'iggorant' pajama people that keep holding their feet to the fire. It's not supposed to be that way!:)

[xJones]

Welcome to FR, and please understand that a website of this size will get posts that may offend your sensibilities occasionally. If it's too bad, hit the abuse button.

Do this, look around for the posters whose opinions, interests, and wit are closest to yours. There are a great many people here that you can probably find enjoyable. Make friends with the ones you admire, and reasonably debate with the others; it's that simple.

Best regards

[Jeffery T.]

Mr. Jeeves, I beg to differ. The Sedition Act would only be applied in times of war, so that America and American troops are not harmed by media stories which compromise battle strategy or tactics or that can do general harm to American forces. During times of peace, the Sedition Act would not be enforced. Putin muzzles his media whether in peace time or in war time. There is a difference. Also the MSM will never police themselves because their bloated heads have them thinking that they are beyond reproach. Their figurative death is near if they do not change their tactics or approach to reporting the news.

[bilhosty]

I think it would be easier for the relatives of the victims to sue Newsweek for 100's of millions (a piece) in a wrongful death suit. We probably would need more Republican Judges though. But then again you can wait a few years and we will have that.

[conserv13]

Sometimes you need to leave your feelings at the door coming into this site. Welcome to FR.

[conserv13]

The Sedition Act would only be applied in times of war

War by whose definition? The 'War on Terror' can and probably will go on indefinately.

[Jeffery T.]

There will probably be a deesculation in the War on Terror, especially when Iraq writes its own constitution and is able to maintain its own military then American troops can begin withdrawing from Iraq. Also when American troops begin leaving Afghanistan in substantial numbers then we can say the War on Terror has ended; although, we are still going to have to be vigilant. During this time after significant troop withdrawal, then the Sedition Act can be revoked until the next war.

[JeffAtlanta]

War by whose definition? The 'War on Terror' can and probably will go on indefinately.

The same with the "War on Drugs". If anyone criticized the DEA, they could conceivably be guilty of sedition.

[N. Beaujon]

I often write with hyperbole to prove a point. The MSM has had a free romp for decades denegrating our troops and undermining our country. God forbid we had a law on the books to remind them that with along every right comes a duty.

These spoiled, imbecile brats who parade as journalists today got this way because they have absolutely no accountability. That is never a good thing; especially given they are virtually the 4th branch of government.

[paul_fromatlanta]

All the legal approaches to the Newsweek situation have the same problem -

Newsweek gave the Army the story in advance to review and made the only change the army asked for.

How than you then take legal action against Newsweek?

[processing please hold]

Hey! If it happened we should replace each copy of the Koran (which we originally provided by the way) with a new pig-skin bound one. :

I like the way you think.