When Does Politics Become Treason?

Insight Mag ^ | 10 December 2003 | J. Michael Waller

[flamefront]

Its about time people address the treason issue to its full extent in a period where many are just too complacent or politically correct to get upset.

[anniegetyourgun]

Amen. I also appreciate his addressing the memo designed to use this bi-partisan committee (which should be concerned only with what is in the best interest of the country) for political purposes.

Todays lib/dems are despicable.

[funkywbr]

Senate Reps are P______.

[MegaSilver]

Todays lib/dems are despicable.

And the Repubs won't stand up to them. That's the problem.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

I'd say anyone who attacks, say the bill of rights, when they are sworn to uphold it, is a traitor.

Plenty of that in DC.

[international american]

We have watered down the meaning of treason to the point where, if you do not blow up the WTC, you are merely a hothead.

[rudypoot]

It's breathtaking. A rat gets caught red-handed being a traitor. Instead of the rat being investigated, he demands an investigation on how he got caught. AND HE GETS HIS WAY. This fall totally on the fault of the 'spinally challenged' republican party.

[malia]

bump

[BenLurkin]

"Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled or hanged"

For some reason this brings a certain Senator's recent comments to mind. . .

[MrConfettiMan]

read later

[arete]

Simple -- anyone who voted for or signed the Patrot Act has committed Treason in my opinion.

Richard W.

[UCANSEE2]

It is against the law to assasinate the President.

What the memo states is a desire by the Democrats to assasinate the President. They should be arrested and tried.

If you think I am wrong, read the memo.

Tell me it doesn't say "PULL THE TRIGGER".

Just because the assasination is one of a political nature, instead of a mortal nature, makes no difference in my book. It also is pre-meditated.

[arasina]

Pinging you to a good read!

[Ancesthntr]

"Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled or hanged" - that's what President Abraham Lincoln said during the War Between the States. While none have suggested such extreme measures in the midst of the war on terrorism...

Wrong: I suggest that any of those would be quite good reactions to what is being done. Such actions would both punish the perpetrator and deter others of like mind from aiding and abetting the enemy.

[John Beresford Tipton]

The Constitution, Article III, Section 3 specifically defines "Treason." The founding fathers took that special step because they were aware that in England "treason" was basically anything that pissed off the King:

"Section 3. 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."

[Interesting Times]

Terrific article. Thanks...

See IntelMemo.com for more articles and information on this scandal.

[Publius6961]

This article is getting way ahead of the main point.
The more relevant question is:

Does the concept of "treason" still exist? At least in the form where punishment of some sort was the certain consequence?

If it doesn't exist, discussions like this one are a curious boring academic exercise.

[jmstein7]

BUMP!

[CanadianLibertarian]

We have to place some blame on the Republicans. Why are they doing nothing? By now several Democrat lawmakers should have been arrested, condemned and excuted by the military.

[tcuoohjohn]

Treason is well defined by the constitution and SCOTUS cases. The problem here is you are using some subjective, impressionistic version of " treason" that bears no resemblance to legal reality.

There have been 31 federal treason prosecutions in the history of the entire republic. All of them but one occurred in a specific set of circumstances. The one that didn't was the Aaron Burr prosecution. It was thrown out by Chief Justice Marshall.

Now..can you tell me what the specific circumstances are?

No?

Go read.