What is your definition of sedition?

Question

I was recently informed my definition of "sedition" was different than that used in the United States due to my being from another country (I was born here and raised in the U.S.).
My thanks to that poster (what, you expect me to silence them? No way! Seditious people should speak up rather than be silent, be patriotic rather than seditious).

What I'm asking for you to do is to first write down your definition of sedition, then look up the original sedition laws and read them, then edit your answer to add your thoughts about the differences, your insights as to why yours is the same or different than what was originally meant. Is that O.K.? If anyone else has a similar one, email me and I'll answer!

The document isn't too long, and I encourage research past my link, of course. Have fun!

Here's the link AFTER you post your own definition, then come back and add notes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedition_Act_of_1918

No problem on the nationality bit. Glad you read the correction and got back to me. I hear a patriot behind your efforts. Good to meet you.

Sedition is free speech. It is covered now that it is no longer illegal.

No court has ever found the sedition laws unconstitutional or illegal. It mentions that in the article.

Name-calling can be sedition if it serves the function listed under the sedition law.

Asking for information is NOT seditious, agreed. Pretending they must be hiding a conspiracy because they won't reveal national security secrets and thus are evil IS seditious. It's a cheap shot. They don't tell you, so they must be hiding your worst scenario? That's silly.

Your approach (Jeffersonian) is commendable and American. So is mine, and just as American. We differ, so did they. I hope you see the patriot behind my words as well.

I'm grateful you spoke up. I'm a democrat. THAT comes first. Sedition is better than silence. Patriotism is better than sedition.

In general, that is, not you specifically! (Great, mckenziecalhoun, why don't you start doing the same junk to this guy as others whom you disagree with keep doing! Wake up, MC!)

Good to hear from you. I love Yahoo! Answers!

Answer 1

1) Here's a good definition: >>sedition n. the Federal crime of advocacy of insurrection against the government or support for an enemy of the nation during time of war, by speeches, publications and organization. Sedition usually involves actually conspiring to disrupt the legal operation of the government and beyond expression of an opinion or protesting government policy. <<

From one of your posts: >>Could be that they don't feel the need to share national secrets with every seditious person who thinks they're owed a reason for everything the government does.<<

Demanding explanations is pretty clearly NOT covered by the definition of sedition. That word means ACTIVE opposition or incitement to violence. In fact, I learned during my research that the word "sedition" comes from the Middle English "sedicioun", translated as "violent party strife".
THAT is what I perceived as your error. You have declared elsewhere that name-calling is seditious. It is not, it is free speech.

2) So, I went back and read what Wiki had to say about sedition, and I agree that it is good that the law was allowed to lapse in 1801, because it ws most certainly unconstitutional. I read a few other things and found this tidbit most enjoyable:

>>In November 1798, Vice President Thomas Jefferson and former congressman James Madison secretly drafted resolutions adopted by the Kentucky and Virginia legislatures challenging the Alien and Sedition Acts. These resolutions argued that the states had not delegated power to punish libel to the federal government, and that free government rested on the people's free opinions. As president (1801), Jefferson pardoned all convicted under the Sedition Act and helped pay their fines.<<

Call me Jeffersonian if you will, but I think nonviolent speech, however critical of those in power is our right, and at times our duty.

--oim.