Monday, June 21, 2010

bonus: The War on Terror Also Gets to Trump "Free Speech"

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/jun2010/scus-j22.shtml
Hat Tip Amped Status

John Burton reports on the recent Supreme Court Decision. I had heard several references to the decision on NPR but the stories had not gone into the details and were strangely vague about the implications of the decision. Well here it is, as reported by Burton:
"Supreme Court backs use of terrorism law against free speech"
22 June 2010
"In the only “terrorism”-related case this term, the Supreme Court on Monday upheld 6-3 a provision of law making it a federal crime to 'knowingly provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization,' even if the 'support' consists only of 'expert advice or assistance' for 'lawful, non-violent purposes'—in other words, political speech.

"The US Secretary of State can designate any 'foreign organization' as 'terrorist' based on 'classified information' establishing that it 'engages in terrorist activity' which 'threatens the security of United States nationals or the national security of the United States.'"


"Under this week’s decision, an individual can be sentenced to as much as 15 years imprisonment if found to “support” a designated organization, even if only by means of engaging in discussions with it or speaking on its behalf."

ANOTHER CIVIL LIBERTY STRICKEN DOWN, PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE OUTSIDE OF HABEAS CORPUS...

WAKE UP!

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.