Friday, January 13, 2006
The Language of Treason
by georgia10
Fri Jan 13, 2006 at 08:54:11 PM PDT
Lost in all the flurry over Alito this week is the fact that the President explicitly employed the language of treason against his war critics:
So I ask all Americans to hold their elected leaders to account, and demand a debate that brings credit to our democracy -- not comfort to our adversaries.
And here we have witnessed another facet of the Imperial Presidency. Instead of embracing the criticism of his Iraq policy--which is coming from both sides of the aisle--as the hallmark of a functioning democracy, he instead labels those who dare to question his judgment as traitors. He uses the language of treason, arguing that we are giving "comfort" to our enemies. Mind you, the phrase "comfort to the enemy" is in fact a legal term of art. The language is derived from the Constitution itself: Article III defines treason in part as "adhering to [the States'] Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort."
Like a King afraid of losing his crown, Bush preserves his power by destroying his enemy. We've seen it time and time again. With John Kerry, with whistleblowers, and now, with Congressman Murtha. His minions like CNS "News" (and no, I'm not linking to that shit) weave webs of lies and scuttle back to him, heads bowed, proclaiming, "Yes, my liege, we have destroyed him!"
Congressman Murtha has posted a reply at the Huffington Post. Welcome to Bush's America, where war heroes are forced to defend themselves against betraying the very flag they bled for. Where those who cry out to save this nation are cast as disobedient radicals unworthy of attention. Where there is no more debating the Presidency.
No, all must remain silent. All that is allowed in this kingdom now is a monologue, streaming out from the White House, a one-way flow of putrid propaganda and deception.
It is that tactic employed by this Presidency which comforts our enemies. Soulless terrorists listen to Bush implying American citizens are traitors and they laugh. They laugh because this is the America they want to see. The President turning on his people, and our ideals of dissent and democracy renounced by our own leaders.
This language of treason must be rejected. It only binds our hands and gags our tongues. Today more than ever, Bush must be told he cannot declare us traitors--we speak out only to save the nation that we love.
