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malaise

(269,070 posts) Mon Mar 3, 2014, 10:24 PM Mar 2014

Why is treason still on the books when men commit it with impunity

What gives?

4 replies

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Why is treason still on the books when men commit it with impunity (Original Post) malaise Mar 2014 OP

Treason is defined in the Constitution Agnosticsherbet Mar 2014 #1

I think it would be enforced really quickly if it were some weak nobody who Cleita Mar 2014 #3

Manning wasn't charged with Treason. He was charged with espionage, Agnosticsherbet Mar 2014 #4

There's a lot of stuff on the books that doesn't get enforced. Cleita Mar 2014 #2

Agnosticsherbet

(11,619 posts)

1. Treason is defined in the Constitution

Reply to malaise (Original post)

Mon Mar 3, 2014, 10:33 PM

Mar 2014

Section 3 of the Constitution
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

I am not sure what treason you are discussing, but treason has a very high bar under law. What objectionable and treasonous action has caught your attention?

Cleita

(75,480 posts)

3. I think it would be enforced really quickly if it were some weak nobody who

Reply to Agnosticsherbet (Reply #1)

Mon Mar 3, 2014, 10:40 PM

Mar 2014

did it. Oh wait? Who is Chelsea Manning?

Agnosticsherbet

(11,619 posts)

4. Manning wasn't charged with Treason. He was charged with espionage,

Reply to Cleita (Reply #3)

Mon Mar 3, 2014, 10:50 PM

Mar 2014

a crime much easier to prove. He admitted leaking classified information to people not authorized to see it, which is a crime, not treason.

I see a lot of people, left and right, complain that someone is committing treason, and even when a law is being broken it doesn't fall under the treason definition in the Constitution. The Founding fathers lived in a world where the King defined treason and cold convict a man and all of his decedents.

Cleita

(75,480 posts)

2. There's a lot of stuff on the books that doesn't get enforced.

Reply to malaise (Original post)

Mon Mar 3, 2014, 10:38 PM

Mar 2014

Rachel put it best tonight. She said Russia is in violation of a treaty signed by us, GB, Ukraine and them by invading Ukraine. But as she said, who is going to enforce it? You and whose army? I think the same applies to your observation.

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