“Since this law was created in the Wilson era to threaten pro-German sentiment. It has rarely been used. “

jimmmmmy;

What if there were a law on the books that has never been used to-date that would allow for guys who call themselves “jimmmmmy” to be the target of extra judicial assassination?

Hedges is in danger of becoming Emma Goldman. a marvelous human being who struggled greatly and accomplished little a few small victories and long series of persecution and prosecution, with beatings and jail time included. Land of the free, my arse!

Gratitude to other commenters for adding detail and context to the picture here.

We know that if they can’t get it through this way then they will try another way. And I wonder if they are going to make sure they get a judge that agrees with them or go to the US Supreme Court. But the problem is that there is so much secrecy and the fact is it unConstitutional.

Since this law was created in the Wilson era to threaten pro-German sentiment. It has rarely been used. Charges are usually vacated after some time and the people released Debs, or never charged Ellsberg/Chomsky/Zinn . Just harrassed threatened and periodically detained, for short periods. Under this POTUS , also a Democrat, its become real crime with many in prison or rendered , awaiting show trials ala Manning.

A bit more: On the Alien and Sedition Act passed early in the nation’s history to try to prevent citizens from sympathizing with the French claims on early territories. “Democratic-Republicans denounced them as being both unconstitutional and designed to stifle criticism of the administration, and as infringing on the right of the states to act in these areas, though they did use them after the 1800 election against Federalists. They became a major political issue in the elections of 1798 and 1800. They were very controversial in their own day, as they remain to the present day.” (according to Wikipedia) Rumor has it that Obama et al are trying to figure out some way to extradite Julian Assange based on this disreputed Act.

Note:  In this Democracy Now presentation, Hedges was asked in passing about further legal possibility and just mentioned something about “... the Sedition laws” without time to explain.  He was referring, I think, to the importance of guarding against misuse of laws which the government tried to use to punish Daniel Elsberg and are being hauled out now to try to use against Manning and Assange.  Elsberg won his case because the Sedition Laws are faulty, so we need to be on guard about the government trying to use them again in coming cases.