Definitions of "treason"?

Question

Okay so I was asking what people thought about the Dixie Chicks movie and someone said that he thought that the Dixie Chicks had committed "treason". Let me saw most of his answer was well thought out and intellectual but that bugged me. Treason? Okay so by that definition any utterence against the governing body should be called treason. Because when I read this I though about how Stalin and Hitler inprisoned people for treason because they spoke out against them. This was one of the reasons why we in the West spoke out against them, because we thought this was a violation of rights. So then do people have to agree with everything the president does or just not say anything about it? I can appreciate that people were offended by what the Dixie Chicks said but to call it treason seems harsh to me. I am saying this because this word seems to get thrown around lately. What are people thinking about this issue?

BTW I am not American so please don't tell me I am liberal democrat or whatever you call it. Just enjoying peoples opinions on these issues.

Answer 1

"Chance 20_m is right, "aid and comfort" refer to MATERIAL comfort (money, shelter, aiding and abetting) NOT verbal approval, and certainly not verbal criticism of one's own government. This is why the McCarthy Trials, and that era of our history, is seen as such a national embarrassment.
We (Americans) seem to forget that our country is FOUNDED on treason, if we had lost the Revolution, all those that fought against tyranny would have been hanged for treason. Thankfully, that didn't happen, but our forefathers intended (and put it in writing, in case any care to read the Constitution) that Americans should have freedom of speech for that very reason. THEY knew the importance of giving the people a government represents the freedom to voice dissent, when necessary, and I feel certain that our forefathers would feel that those that call Americans who voice dissent "traitors" or "treasonous" are themselves "UN-American."

Answer 2

According to the US constitution: "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."

Your friend may have considered their (rather mild) opinions treason, but they do not fit the above definition. Many people think the "aid and comfort" clause is applicable if you say you support them, but it is generally taken to mean material aid. Direct statements to violently overthrow the government would fit that bill. Hence, the recent indictment of "Azzam the American" for treason.

Answer 3

Treason is the betrayal of one's country. I think it was bad taste to go into another country and say they hate the president, it isn't treason. They have the right to speak out and many agree with them in the states. A lot of people need to wake up to what is happening in this country. Our government is betraying us.

Answer 4

a person has a right to do whatever since they're smart; people on the other hand are feeble-minded citizens who pack together to agree on the same issue; to answer your question, the dixie chicks had the right to say whatever just like Johnny Depp.

Answer 5

Teddy Roosevelt said.
"To call a person unpatriotic for criticizing the administration is in itself an act of treason."
so I think he meant that blind faith and denial of the wrongs and errors of our leaders is a bad thing.
We have a duty to speak up and hold them accountable, failure to do that could be seen as a form of treason.
Just one perspective on the subject.

Answer 6

it is the "provision of aid and comfort to the enemy". By word, deed, or by failure to act.