Would you drink Hemlock? And Other Thoughts on Sedition and Freedom of Speech/Press

1. All of these things – from freedom fries to the PATRIOT Act of 2001 – were created in times of war (or in times where America feared the possibility of war or dissent) to combat anti-American or unpatriotic thought, speeches, literature or even food that criticized the government or its policies. (Well, okay, maybe the food didn’t criticize the government. But potatoes definitely had the potential to inspire revolution – riiiiiight). These things limit freedom of speech and of the press because they allow for dissident or critical speech or literature against the government, its policies, or leaders to be a crime. Therefore, people were no longer allowed to speak their minds, either vocally or on paper, which violated their rights to freedom of speech and the press. (I don’t get it. I really don’t. We came to America, from Britain, to be able to create our own government and not be punished for criticizing it – as we were for criticizing the crown when we were still a colony.)

2. To be prosecuted under the Alien and Sedition Acts, people had to say things that criticized the government. Some things that were said included that certain government policies were headed for disaster, and that the “Government was hostile to the country’s welfare . . . and ‘that the people ought to raise and insurrection against the Government’” (Lewis, 59). John Adams was also referred to as a “’hoary headed incendiary’” (Lewis, 64). Compared to political discourse today, the things said against the government or political opponents and leaders are about the same. Criticism of political opponents, governments, and leaders is not a new concept and will continue as long as our society remains one in which the people are sovereign and can make choices regarding who is put in charge of their nation. We have the freedom to criticize and make choices for our betterment (or at least we should – these acts take away from some of that). The list of statements that could have been prosecuted under Alien and Sedition Acts if they were still enforced is ENDLESS. I would have been prosecuted (or shot, or made to drink hemlock).