The Espionage Act Mocks the First Amendment

Under the provisions of the amendment to Section 3 of the Espionage Act, any American expressing a view that is contrary to the perpetual state of war we have been engaged in for more than half a century could be prosecuted as a "scurrilous" traitor. In my opinion a patriot is a citizen who seeks to influence her/his government to engage in activities and policies that will elevate the human condition. A government that drops bombs on children has no moral standing. Edward Snowden and Bradley Manning are patriots and peacemakers. If the Nobel Committee has any courage, both men will be this year's recipients of the Peace Prize.

The Sedition Act May 16, 1918 Amendment to Section 3 of the Espionage Act. Section 3 Whoever, when the United States is at war, shall willfully make or convey false reports or false statements with intent to interfere with the operation or success of the military or naval forces of the United States, or to promote the success of its enemies, or shall willfully make or convey false reports, or false statements, . . . or incite insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty, in the military or naval forces of the United States, or shall willfully obstruct . . . the recruiting or enlistment service of the United States, or . . . shall willfully utter, print, write, or publish any disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language about the form of government of the United States, or the Constitution of the United States, or the military or naval forces of the United States . . . or shall willfully display the flag of any foreign enemy, or shall willfully . . . urge, incite, or advocate any curtailment of production . . . or advocate, teach, defend, or suggest the doing of any of the acts or things in this section enumerated and whoever shall by word or act support or favor the cause of any country with which the United States is at war or by word or act oppose the cause of the United States therein, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than twenty years, or both . . .