[AAACE-NLA]FW: [rsct] First Amendment

[Elsa Auerbach]

This is a post which was on another list serve for educators (Rethinking Schools).  It is relevant to the current discussions about free speech that we're having. The more we know, the more clearly we can talk about, spread the word, and begin to figure out ways of resisting. 

If you're not already on the Rethinking List, it's worth it.

Elsa Auerbach

> ----------
> Sent: 	Thursday, May 15, 2003 9:47 AM
> Cc: 	rscriticalteach at lists.execpc.com
> Subject: 	[rsct] First Amendment
> 
> PFAW just published an article about the right wing> '> s anti-American
> divisive attacks on freedom of speech.
> 
> http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oId=10389
> 
> I was very disturbed by some of the cases they cited, but by now I have
> become almost numbed by the sheer mass of these anti-American attacks on
> freedom of speech. But then one passage caught my eye, and some things
> began to click together. I have been reading a lot of these attacks, and
> had noticed some very specific words that just sounded odd, they kept
> cropping up in the vilification of those who engage free speech. And
> then PFAW> '> s article brought it all together.
> 
> Folks, we live in a much more dangerous time than I had ever thought
> possible in this nation, the land of the free and home of the brave. And
> we who believe in what this country is and can be have, collectively,
> led ourselves down the garden path to this spot.
> 
> The words that have come into high frequency recent use are "aid and
> comfort." And here is why these words have dropped into the Right> '> s
> lexicon: They come from Article Three, Section Three of the
> 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."
> 
> Here> '> s the deal folks, the right wing, under leadership of the
> neo-conservative anti-American wing that has taken over our nation is
> positioning the chess pieces so that the words I am writing right now
> can be seen as giving aid and comfort to the enemy. That is what Patriot
> II is all about, it fits in like a perfect puzzle piece to override the
> First Amendment.
> 
> The First Amendment is dead. Manifest Destiny is back, alive and well,
> with its bloody sights set on the entire world. It is going to take some
> serious, thoughtful, peaceful work to try to slow it down.
> 
> The true patriots (as opposed to anti-American nationalists) have been
> asleep at the wheel, wrapping ourselves in the First Amendment, not
> paying any attention to the rest of the Constitution. Can we say "bunch
> of fools?" And for all the anti-American neo-cons monitoring this list
> (and probably some CIA types as well), my hat> '> s off to you. You have
> stood and watched as we sucker-punched ourselves, awaiting the
> opportunity to raise the stakes. You are going to lead us all the way
> down the path toward a fascist state, in which free speech is dead.
> 
> If anyone with legal expertise has any insights, I know I would
> appreciate hearing what they have to say.
> 
> Peace
> 
> 
> 
> 
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