Senate Votes Against Free Speech

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Over the past six years, Bush's enablers in Congress have been slowly eroding our Constitutional rights and liberties. But, until now, it was always somewhat masked in fear-inducing terror-related rhetoric.

Their latest stunt, however, is masked much more transparently.

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution condemning the organization MoveOn.org for criticizing General Petraeus for blindly and obediently propagating Bush's failed Iraq war strategy.

In other words, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution against freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press.

In other words, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution against the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

72 senators voted in favor of this resolution!

Freedom to dissent is one of the cornerstones of our democracy. In fact, true democracy cannot exist without it, because an informed electorate must have an understanding of the various sides of an issue.

President Theodore Roosevelt, a Republican, once said, "To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."

And that applies, by extension, to criticism of those who carry out the president's misguided policies.

But now 72 senators, representing both political parties, are telling us that we must shut up and not criticize Bush's Iraq policy or those who implement that policy, lest they condemn us too.

Do they not realize what they've done?

Or do they?

The latter would be even scarier.

See how your senators voted.
 
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I am saddened that both MD Senators, who are both Democrats, voted in favor of this. I wrote them both voicing my displeasure.
 
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What a stupid piece of legislation. It does nothing other than reaffirm what we already know: most of the Congress are a bunch of Constitution hating sissies.

Also, we're not a democracy, we're supposed to be a Constitutional Republic, although we've definitely strayed far from that.
 
I just called my Senator (Cornyn), the one who wrote the bill. I told the guy manning the phone that I was also disgusted about what Moveon.org put out about the General, but that I am equally concerned about this amendment because 1) it is attempting to stifle freedom of speech. That no matter how bad the speech is it should be protected and 2) That it was a waste of time. I also said that if the Senators had a problem with it, they should get together and sign a petition or take out their own ad.

The guy on the phone said that I was the first person to call up with such a concern and that it was very interesting and not something they had considered. :eek:
 
I am saddened that both MD Senators, who are both Democrats, voted in favor of this. I wrote them both voicing my displeasure.

Both our senators(both republican) voted yea also. I guess I should have expected that. I was holding out hope that they would see past the overstating, overreaction of the resolution. :(
 
I just called my Senator (Cornyn), the one who wrote the bill. I told the guy manning the phone that I was also disgusted about what Moveon.org put out about the General, but that I am equally concerned about this amendment because 1) it is attempting to stifle freedom of speech. That no matter how bad the speech is it should be protected and 2) That it was a waste of time. I also said that if the Senators had a problem with it, they should get together and sign a petition or take out their own ad.

The guy on the phone said that I was the first person to call up with such a concern and that it was very interesting and not something they had considered. :eek:

Heh. Well, he just got another call from me. :D
 
How does "condemning" them violate their freedom? It does nothing.

Why should our Government condemn speech?

If it was the individual senators or a petition that would be different. But passing an amendment, creates a law. The law now condemns the freedom of speech.

What is next?
 
Why should our Government condemn speech?

If it was the individual senators or a petition that would be different. But passing an amendment, creates a law. The law now condemns the freedom of speech.

What is next?

it's not a law, but it's still a stupid idea
 
How is it now a law? It may be a law that has no purpose, other than being a statement but it is still a law. It is an amendment to what looked like a spending bill.
 
law: a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority

I just don't see how a condemnation can be considered "law"
 
Giuliani (scariest man running for President) would have voted for it (or something more drastic):

Giuliani said that MoveOn.org's ad criticizing Gen. Petreaus was out of bounds and hinted that the group should face some sort of sanction.

"They passed a line that we should not allow an American political organization to pass," he said. "We are at war right now, whether some people want to recognize it or not."
http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/09/giuliani_claims_an_evolution_o.php
 
Eh, it is not restricting anybody's freedom to say what they want, nor even spending taxpayer's money.


It is not a violation of the Constitution.

I'm confused with what you are trying to say. This was an amendment to a spending bill. It took someone's time to draft and present the bill, someone who is getting paid by us.
 
Bush had an executive order just last month I think which allows the seizure of property, freezing of bank account, secret searches, etc. for anybody in the country hindering the surge through their speech or funds.
So this is very unsurprising to me.
 
Other than it was pointless and a waste of time I don't think this is a big deal. They're not infringing on free speech. You can say whatever you want and I can call you a jerk for saying it. So congress just called moveon.org jerks. It's about as effective as a UN resolution of condemnation.

I get really pissed off when someone cries 1st amendment rights after I tell them to shut the hell up cuz they said something stupid. If you say something, be prepared to have people respond.
 
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