In case you didn’t know it, the Iran war is over, at least according to Pete Hegseth in his latest rambling assault on the military he commands and freedom of the press. He said that journalists who scrutinized the war were guilty of “treason,” which is defined in the Constitution as “levying war” against the U.S. or giving “aid and comfort to the enemy.”
The first definition was interpreted narrowly in Ex parte Bollman & Swarthout (1807) which arose out of Aaron Burr’s attempt to seize control of New Orleans, and also narrowly in Cramer v. United States (1945), which involved a man helping another man who turned out to be a German soldier.
It’s clear what the current government doesn’t like is scrutiny or criticism. As we all know, our right to speak our mind is grounded and protected in the First Amendment. Maybe our leaders should go back to school for a civics class.
Prayer for the Day
Unfolding God who comes to us through wind and rain,
Who removes the film of intolerance from our eyes;
Redeeming God, who comes to in the silence of the night,
Who opens our senses to the world all around;
Seal your truth into the center of our bodies,
Shape us and mold us into your vessel,
In the name of the One who shows us how to live,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen
Thoughts for the Day
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. First Amendment, United States Constitution
There is nothing so fretting and vexatious, nothing so justly terrible to tyrants, and their tools and abettors, as a free press. (1768)
Samuel Adams, patriot, revolutionary (1722-1803)
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
For you are the God of my salvation,
For you I wait all day long.
Psalm 25:5