Could this happen in America, under what circumstances, and how?

Question

China jails online editor for subversion

A Chinese court jailed an editor of a news portal for six years on Monday for inciting subversion by publishing antigovernment essays, his lawyer said, the latest case in a government crackdown on dissent.

http://news.com.com/China+jails+online+editor+for+subversion/2100-1028_3-6168512.html?tag=html.alert

Answer 1

If people don't stand up for freedom now, we will see much worse.

Answer 2

Sure you may not agree with communism or the way it is practiced in China. Bare in mind that there are 1.2Billion people as opposed to what the total is from where you live.

I have criss-crossed China on four extensive trips since Oct 1993, never had a problem and never no where else felt more safe. Their Government is still adjusting to new or different methods of governing. In the meantime and previously they are not going to have somebody upset the apple cart. The Nation and country are making leaps and bounds into the direction you want it to go. Just give it time and and as their population becomes more affluent, the government will let up slowly.

Just imagine the problems involved to govern this large territory and the large population, to maintain peace amongst many ethnic groups and yet to work for the benefit of all.

Answer 3

you know that party what the war about I think even though none of us really want to admit is that we don't loose our freedom. the thing is in those other country's they have no freedoms so it is happening over there in the United States I don't think so, but like how much of freedoms you have given up. you can't take toothpaste or anything like mouthwash on a plane. you social security now can be easily found out as well as bank account numbers and people can steal your money right out your nose without you knowing it. we need to stand up to the government the thing is there even making out medical records available for anyone to get it that not right. the government needs to shred those records so other people can't be scammed and coned. you got to watch even at the bus stop people will ask for money. the police will not do anything. I will say we need to do something to make our freedoms work and make our government make the police help us. they could also protect our privacy better so our information is not given out all over the place. I do not think it could or would happen in American if we stand up for our freedoms, rights, laws, civil rights, and speak up against discrimination's. as long as we have constitution no or a bill of right which the constitution was created. The only sitution that it could happen is if we don't stand up for our freedoms by the government taking us to court finding us guilty for speaking against the government. over countries have this and very sad let hope and pray that the United States never get to that point.

Answer 4

The irony about this stems from the USA PATRIOT Act. We have our civil liberties as set forth in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, but the USA PATRIOT Act strips those liberties if you are found to be a terrorist, or to have ties with terrorist cels. So, this could happen in America, if the person was publishing anti-American literature, was of middle-eastern descent, and shared a letter in their last name with a 9/11 terrorist.

Answer 5

Yes. If the contents in the essay were found to be intentionally false and injurious in nature - yes. An example: It is o.k. to say that I think VP Cheney lied about the war. It is not o.k. to say that I think VP Cheney lied about the war because of XYZ documentation if XYZ documentation is known to be false or a figment of your imagination. A false statement about Cheney and XYZ documentation becomes a federal offense punishable by jail or death if false information leads to civil unrest (on a massive scale). If you write an article about Cheney containing evidence that you know to be false but present as true and massive civil unrest is a direct result of your actions then you are responsible.

Answer 6

That isnt likely to happen here. I know the Leftists are drooling about "lost freedoms" here in the USA but it's all just overdramatic B.S.
The Chinese have far different laws about people trying to subvert the government as opposed to here.
Liberals......case in point.

Answer 7

It basically happened with the two reporters and the BALCO steroid case in San Francisco.

The funny thing is George Bush said down with steroids in baseball but the Grand Jury ordered the two jailed for failing to testify who leaked the info.

Sounds like a double standard to me.

The government can't control its own people so uses bully tactics against the media for doing their job.

Answer 8

With freedom of speech, I don't think so. I would hope having our Constitution to back us, this would not happen. I'm not surpised that this happened in China, I think they would jail there Grandma, if they want to.Thank God there laws are not ours. Its times like this I say God Bless America.

Answer 9

I think its coming. Today people just seem to let the government do what they want. We are no longer a government by the people. People don't vote. People keep their mouths shut. Evil Triumphs when good people stand by and do nothing!

Answer 10

Maybe not now, but I see it in the future if we leave our liberal government unchecked. If liberals keep the majority and get a liberal president, God help us all. The constitution will be changed in ways that we would never recognize it. I really believe this, but my answer is only my opinion.

Answer 11

Every time I ask or answer a question about the Government my computer slowes down and tries to freeze. The Gov. has eyes everywhere and is building data and profiles on us all.