600 Lashes

This time they got it wrong! As most of you know I tend to be conservative in my political leanings, I like to think more libertarian, not as in the party but in the historical sense. I really believe that is what our founding fathers sought, liberty, freedom from government. The party that usually represents my political leanings has typically been Republican, but not always. A few weeks ago was one of those not always days and seriously so. Sad thing is I am beginning to feel like Ronald Reagan felt about the Democratic party, “ I didn’t leave it, it left me” I really do wonder sometimes where are the men of our day like Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Franklin, who sought to rid us of bondage to governments and other people. I think these men would be appalled at a recent quote from Lindsey Graham.

 

“You can sit in your mother’s basement and chat away, I don’t care. But when you start talking about classified programs, that’s when it gets to be important,” he said during a Free Times interview. “So, if classified information is leaked out on a personal website or some blogger, do they have the same First Amendments rights as somebody who gets paid traditional journalism?”

Another quote haunting quote
 

“Who is a journalist is a question we need to ask ourselves,” he said. “Is any blogger out there saying anything—do they deserve First Amendment protection? These are the issues of our times.”

These remarks were not made regarding Snowden and his recent NSA leaks, nor were they directed at actions taken by Manning who released classified military documents. I can understand the debate regarding those two individuals. Graham’s comments were made in discussions about a media shield law.  Shield laws give reporters protection against being forced to disclose confidential information or sources in court. They are laws that protect journalists from the government. Currently the Federal Government has one shield law, the First Amendment.

Why did this raise up today like dough that finally reached warm temperatures, rather than nearly two months ago when Mr. Graham’s remarks were cold and fresh? I did note them but made no public comments. Of course, DeAnn got an earful from me about how could a true conservative not understand that “the press” in Franklin’s day was a modern tool of speech. As much a tool of his day as blogging, twitter, Facebook, email is in my world.  It rose to dough stage today when I read this headline

“Blogger Gets 7 Years in Jail and 600 Lashes for Offending Saudi Government”

Thomas Paine, the American revolutionary, originally wrote his “Common Sense” anonymously out of fear of government retribution, as he laid out what was wrong with English rule.. Alexander Hamilton, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin wrote anonymously for freedom from England. Rev. Samuel Seabury and Daniel Leonard, voices against the revolution, Loyalists, also penned papers anonymously for fear of retribution. These men, with arguably the only exception being Franklin, were not journalists but patriots, using a modern tool, that were in need of protection. Our early congress voted to give freedom of the press to Loyalists and Revolutionaries that just happen to write well, not government sanctioned journalists. I bet Thomas Paine would have had a blog.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

We know the word press has come to include TV and Radio broadcasting, leaving behind simply newspapers, or in the case of Tomas Paine pamphlets. Are blogs different, does the author deserve less First Amendment rights? When I wrote the first line of my first blog did I sacrifice any rights? Is my Facebook speech only protected if I post the trivial? Is a blog penned by a well-known journalist worthy of more freedom? As George Orwell penned “… all equal, but some are more equal than others.” Congress does not get to define, regulate, or license journalists, regardless of media. Mr. Graham this is not Saudi Arabia, the wounds you inflict will go unnoticed by most, but hurt more.

The point is Mr. Graham, and you other likeminded Congress men and women you pretend to be conservative, for liberty, but show fear in granting that freedom to those that may oppose you. You choose to restrict freedom of thought, discussion, debate, and protest.  You discard these treasures that Washington and his buddies fought to wrestle from the grip of Kings, and give…. even to their detractors like Rev. Samuel Seabury and Daniel Leonard.

 but Mr. Graham you are correct on one point”…these are the issues of our times”

David

One thought on “600 Lashes

  1. It is scary that our elected leaders either don't know the Constitution, or choose to ignore it. Sometimes it "only" comes out in comments, but they are so contradictory to Constitutional law that one has to wonder if they are testing the waters to see how far they can go or trying to start a movement in that direction. We had better take seriously our own education so we will know not to follow that path. DeAnn

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