Former GOP congressman predicts new Sedition Act

[IDemo]

By David Edwards
Monday, December 27th, 2010 -- 10:31 am


Desire to stop secrets outlet WikiLeaks from disclosing more US documents could lead to a new Sedition Act, according to former Rep. Bob Barr (R-GA).

Try as they might, US officials will not be able to convict WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange under current laws and will resort to passing new draconian measures, Barr explained in a recent column.

Signed into law in 1798 by President John Adams, the Sedition Act made it a crime to publish "false, scandalous, and malicious writing" against the government.

Of the 25 people charged with violating the Sedition Act, most were newspaper editors. The law expired in 1801 and those convicted were pardoned by President Thomas Jefferson.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/12/gop-congressman-predicts-sedition-act/

[Bragi]

1. C'mon Bob, be honest

You were in favour of ending First Amendment rights long before Wikileaks showed up.

This is just the most recent excuse to do this.

[HereSince1628]

2. Although Barr was a GOP congressman he is also a defender

of the Bill of Rights and he has been involved in a number of collaborative efforts with the ACLU.

He did author the Defense of Marriage Act.

His support of a new Sedition act would complicate him further.

[salin]

4. he is true to his post-congressional stance - see below quote from article:

"Jefferson was, of course, right in his view of this law (which expired before its constitutionality could be determined by the Supreme Court)," Barr wrote. "His wisdom is well-needed today to quell the blood thirst of those clamoring for Assange’s head because of WikiLeaks’ release of cables and e-mails critical of and embarrassing to, the government."

and he concludes: "We can only hope Jefferson’s wisdom and understanding will speak from across the ages to shine the bright light of constitutional truth on such dark plans," he concluded.


as a political figure... Barr has become one interesting guy since he left the rw noise machine.

[toddaa]

7. Predict is not the same as support

Sadly, I think Barr may be right on this. The reaction against Wikileaks and Anonymous by the government is going to lead to further erosion of what little is left of the Bill of Rights.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

8. EXACTLY! He doesn't support it at all. To the contrary,

he agrees with how Jefferson dealt with it.

[Turbineguy]

3. We could roll up Fox News under that one.

Although I'm pretty sure they would be specifically exempted.

[Javaman]

5. Our government could have just owned up to the leaks but instead

chose the route of acting like the high and mightily liar. Attack the messenger not the message.

[WinkyDink]

6. Watch out, Beck, Limbaugh, Coulter, etc.! (IOW: Barr should ponder the possibilities.)