Did you know that war dissenters were jailed during WWI?
http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?id=1207
For those of you that whine about our rights these days, just try to imagine how that would go over now. Read the article, it's very interesting.
2007-03-21 06:53:53 · 14 answers · asked by Sean 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
"Freedom of Speech" as we know it today is not what the Founding Fathers had in mind. They would have jailed anyone who burned the American flag or published false information. Basically, the National Enquirer would not exists, and neither would magazines critisizing the personal lives of public officials.
2007-03-21 07:00:26 · answer #1 · answered by nakquda 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
For starters, the article talks about foreign dissenters, immigrants with opinions. It does make a little sense to keep their dissenting opinions quiet, because they don't quite understand what it is to be an American - yet. Often the opinions that they are spreading don't take into account the things that a true citizen understands. That being said, even that was overturned and found to be unconstitutional every single time it was brought up- because it was indeed a violation of the first amendment.
If anyone were to try again, it would again be defeated, and here's why: Without our constitution, there would be no reason to fight for this country. It is what gives Americans the freedoms that we are willing to stand up and fight for. Take it, or any part of it away, and we may as well lay down arms, and go back to bed. That constitution is America. It is what makes us proud to be Americans. Those freedoms aren't bottled and sold on the open market. They are ours, by virtue of the constitution, and they are the reason we stand and fight.
2007-03-21 07:43:36 · answer #2 · answered by Lesley M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In NYC in 2004, during the Republican National Convention, not only war dissenters, but protesters, and even people who weren't protesting were rounded up and jailed -- without charge, put on a toxic waste site -- for days.
It HAS been happening again.
THAT's why we "whiners" keep fighting for upholding the Constitution.
You know, the one Bush Co. wants shredded?
2007-03-21 16:42:00 · answer #3 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've a question for you: Should we put ANY dissenters in jail? Dissent is part of our Freedom of Speech. Peaceful dissent should be tolerated, you may not like it or you may be part of it but you shouldn't be put in jail for it.
2007-03-21 07:08:47 · answer #4 · answered by kaptin2001 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, this country was found by "dissenters". And I echo what previous poster added, dissent is the highest form of patriotism!.
2007-03-21 07:00:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.
--Thomas Jefferson
2007-03-21 06:57:07 · answer #6 · answered by Joe M 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Did you know that we onced OWNED slaves in this country...
Your logic is flawed that a past precedent should dicate what is right, and what is wrong.
Is is our RESPONSIBILITY to question govt, you freakin pink panty commie, my RIGHT to make any and all politicians accountable for egregious actions, including that nutcase Pelosi for wanting a personal jet.
Do you want a slave because we USED to own slaves?
2007-03-21 07:09:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ahh, the good old Alien and Sedition Acts...
Don't think it would fly in this day and age, I don't even know if they teach about them in schools anymore.
2007-03-21 06:58:42 · answer #8 · answered by steddy voter 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only if Bush will go with them to prison!
He deserted his post and started an unjust war. he should be impeached today
2007-03-21 07:00:32 · answer #9 · answered by controlac 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
don't be silly. they used to lock people up for a lot of things , being black was one of them, why don't you come into the 21st century and join the rest of us
2007-03-21 08:25:38 · answer #10 · answered by bruce m 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋