Treason

2008-09-04T23:24:14Z

Horace40: Grammar

The definition of '''treason''' is a thorny problem for any free society. Politics in a [[representative]] [[democracy]] have been understood in modern times to require a [[loyal opposition]], which means that the concept cannot be too expansive or debate and the life of the mind generally will be chilled. By contrast, a [[totalitarian]] state can simply designate all opposition to the philosophy of the ruling party or the policies of the leader as treason. However, in any state, in order for the [[executive branch]] to be able to fulfill its duty to protect the polity, it must retain the possibility of pursuing criminal sanctions against domestic enemies of the existing order, at least to the extent they use [[violence]].

It is generally understood that treason is a unique crime threatening all citizens and calls for the harshest penalties, typically [[capital punishment]]. In medieval [[England|English]] law, 'high treason' was defined as the murder or attempted murder of the reigning monarchy, or attempts to usurp or overthrow them or pervert the natural succession of the throne. 'Petty treason' was the murder of a social superior, such as a servant killing his master or a knight murdering the lord he was expected to serve, but this term gradually fell out of use after the decline of the feudal system, and because such cases could also be tried simply as murder. Before the [[Glorious Revolution]] of 1688 (which ejected the [[House of Stuart]] and made the English government truly limited), high treason carried a penalty of [[beheading]] for the nobility and [[hanging]], [[drawing and quartering]] for others, a process vividly depicted towards the end of the 1995 film [[Braveheart]]. A famous example of such an execution was that in 1605 of [[Guy Fawkes]], a member of a failed conspiracy of [[Roman Catholics]] who sought to assassinate the [[Protestant]] King [[James I]] and his parliament. The British executed traitors as late as the mid-[[20th century]], but by that time were content to rely merely on hanging.

The [[U. S. Constitution]] defines treason as "levying war against the United States, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort." It also (copying an earlier English statute, the Statute of [[Edward III]]) requires that no conviction shall be had for this crime in the absence of the sworn testimony of two witnesses. The high point of treason prosecutions came under the administration of [[Woodrow Wilson]], when the [[Espionage Act of 1917]] and [[Sedition Act of 1918]] were used to convict scores of Americans for treason based on their speech against American participation in [[World War I]]. The Sedition Act was eventually repealed (although at least two sections of the Espionage Act remain in U. S. law) and the modern [[clear and present danger doctrine]] was formulated to determine when the U. S. or any state could restrict [[First Amendment]] rights to free expression.

Treason prosecutions in the modern U. S. are exceedingly rare; although an [[al-Qaeda]] operative born in [[California]] was recently indicted, other U. S. citizens who have fought in [[Afghanistan]] on the [[Taliban]] side, notably [[John Walker Lindh]] and [[Yasser Esam Hamdi]], were tried on lesser charges, and Hamdi is now a free man. This is in part because there were no treason prosecutions arising from the [[Cold War]]; even the Rosenbergs were tried and sentenced to death for [[espionage]], the selling of secrets, which led their lawyers to complain that they were being treated more harshly than the average American traitor in [[World War II]], only two of whom had been sentenced to death. [[Aldrich Ames]], originally charged with treason after his spying for [[Russia]] during the Cold War was revealed, averted prosecution for this charge by reaching with the government a plea agreement to lesser charges, and is now serving a life sentence.

The decision not to charge the Rosenbergs with treason may stem from the fact the Cold War remained cold instead of being formally declared by [[Congress]]. This would mean that the definition of "enemies" is actually more problematic than that of any other word in the Constitution's treason clause, since the Rosenbergs quite obviously adhered to the [[Soviet Union]] and give it aid and comfort. Comparably, [[Jonathan Pollard]] was also charged with espionage when he passed American secrets to [[Israel]], a state not usually be described as an enemy of the U. S., and sentenced to life in prison. As with the Rosenbergs, there were loud protests; unlike them they included calls for a Presidential [[pardon]].

[[category:government]]

Essay:Best Concepts to Teach Teenagers

2008-09-04T23:17:46Z

Horace40: Grammar

Suppose you had just five new principles to teach a teenager. Which would you teach?

Here are some suggestions:

#[[opportunity cost]] (e.g., watching television is expensive)
#Liberal values have destructive personal consequences (e.g., [[Hollywood Values]])
#Nurture trust in those who have earned it, but beware of [[deceit]]
#Trying an addictive activity is like stepping on a slippery slope: you may be unable to save yourself from destruction
#If you are with someone who commits a crime, the law may hold you fully responsible
#Much of our behavior is governed by habits. It is therefore critical to consciously cultivate good habits, and to work to overcome bad habits. Good habits don't just happen.
#Constant questioning of authority, on the [[Liberal]] notion that authority is neccesarily wrong, is counter-productive and destructive. Respect experience and the wisdom that it brings, and you will benefit from it.
#Resist peer pressure to do things which conflict with the values your family and church taught you.
#It is fine to say No: say No to temptation, to illegal drugs, to underage drinking, to crime, to pre-marital sex and indecent behaviour.
#Pre-marital virginity isn't 'square' or boring. It's cool to keep yourself for 'the one'.
#You are the master of your body, and not vice-versa.
#You might think it’s fun to make decisions. But if you make a decision and you decide incorrectly then it’s your fault. Your friends told you? Your fault. Your government told you? Your fault. Your spouse told you? Your fault. I told you? ''Still'' your fault. Welcome to responsibility.
#(more)

[[Category:Essays]]

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Treason

Essay:Best Concepts to Teach Teenagers