Posted: 7/31/2010 5:31:20 PM EDT
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With the government investigating Bradley Manning in connection with the unauthorized release of classified documents to Wikileaks, there have been those that have suggested that he be charged with treason. Adam Gadahn, the American born Taliban propagandist has been indicted for treason. John Walker Lindh was not charged with treason even though he was fighting against American troops. I find it interesting that in the history of the United States there have been fewer than 40 federal prosecutions for treason and only 17 convictions. Why is there such a reluctance to charge Americans with treason? Is it because it is easier to get convictions under the 1798 Alien and Sedition Act or the 1917 Espionage Act? There are those that we collectively consider guilty of treason, Jane Fonda making propaganda films with the North Vietnamese Army during the Vietnam War.
Why are these people not charged? What do you consider a treasonous offense? The Constitution defines treason: Art. III Sec. 3: 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. The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted. The United States Code defines treason: TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 115 > § 2381§ 2381. Treason Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States. Convicted of Treason: * Philip Vigol and John Mitchell, convicted of treason and sentenced to hanging; pardoned by George Washington. * Governor Thomas Dorr 1844, convicted of treason against the state of Rhode Island; released in 1845; civil rights restored in 1851; verdict annulled in 1854. * John Brown, convicted of treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1859 for attempting to organize armed resistance to slavery. * Aaron Dwight Stevens, took part in John Brown's raid and was executed for treason against Virginia. * William Bruce Mumford 1862 convicted of treason and hanged for tearing down a United States flag during the American Civil War. * David Owen Dodd 1864 hanged for treason as a Confederate spy during the American Civil War. * Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell, David Herold, and George Atzerodt in 1865 hanged for treason and conspiracy for the Lincoln assassination and conspiracy - by military tribunal. * Iva Toguri D'Aquino, who is frequently identified with "Tokyo Rose" convicted 1949. Subsequently pardoned by President Gerald Ford. * Herbert Hans Haupt German-born naturalized U.S. citizen, in 1942 was convicted of treason and executed for giving aid and comfort to the enemy (his son) and for espionage. * Martin James Monti, United States Army Air Force pilot, convicted of treason for defecting to the Waffen SS in 1944. * Robert Henry Best, convicted of treason on April 16, 1948 and served a life sentence. * Mildred Gillars, "Axis Sally," convicted of treason on March 8, 1949, served 12 years of a 10- to 30-year prison sentence. * Tomoya Kawakita, sentenced to death for treason in 1952, but eventually released by President John F. Kennedy to be deported to Japan. |
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This is some fucked up shit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Bruce_Mumford |