more on Could NY Times face a treason trial?

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Gene Spafford <spaf () cerias purdue edu>
Date: January 24, 2006 5:46:25 PM EST
To: dave () farber net
Subject: Re: [IP] more on Could NY Times face a treason trial?

2 points:

1)  The US code has several parts governing treason and sedition.   
Title 18, chapter 115 is the portion of interest.  Section 2381 is  
the one specifically governing 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.

Despite the spin some would put on it, the NY Times did not levy war  
against the US, nor declare allegiance to an enemy, nor give them aid  
and comfort.   As a more or less reasonable person, I don't see this  
as applicable.

2) Lots of heat and little light on this issue.  In particular, we  
don't know what the folks at the NSA have actually been doing, and  
they aren't going to say because it gives away methods and means.  We  
can speculate about it, but without knowing exactly, it seems  
questionable to assert that X *is* breaking the law or is *not*  
breaking the law.   Paranoia about the NSA and dislike/like for  
George W. Bush are undoubtedly distorting the whole issue.  I'd  
suggest taking a deep breath, and only making statements that we know  
are grounded in fact, if any additional statements need to be made at  
all.


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