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lilfluffOne nifty thing about the United States Constitution is that it is a rather brief and to the point document. For instance, here is Article III Section 3:
"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."
Also interesting to note is that like much of the US Constitution it works by restriction. Treason shall be these things and no other: levying war against the US, or adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and comfort. Further, you need two eye witnesses or a confession in court. Pretty simple reason, the founding fathers were tired of treason being trotted out as a catch-all, "We the powerful don't like you, so we will call you a traitor for an easy excuse to hang you and defame you." So the highest laws of the US define treason strictly to war against your own country or aiding those at war against your country. If you don't do that you might still be guilty of a crime but you are not a traitor under the law of the land.
And here is Governor Rick Perry who wishes to be president, speaking about Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke. "If this guy prints more money between now and the election, I don’t know what y’all would do to him in Iowa, but we would treat him pretty ugly down in Texas. Printing more money to play politics at this particular time in American history is almost treacherous, or treasonous, in my opinion."
Hmm. Let's see. Is he accusing him (Bernanke) of taking up arms against the United States... hmm. Nope. Ah! Maybe he's saying Bernanke is giving the money to terrorists? Wait, no, he just says printing money, so not even aiding those at war with the United States... Huh. You know, I don't see anything in that statement that meets the requirements in Article III Section 3.
Rick? Do you mind if I call you Rick? Rick, the United States Constitution isn't a difficult document. It's short and to the point. You can carry a copy in your shirt pocket and still have print that isn't hard to read. If you wish to be president I don't think it's much to ask that you read what is the most important key foundational document of the federal government. So how about a deal? You agree to shut up until you have read through it at least once -- come on, you can do it in less than an hour while still taking notes. In return I will stop teasing you for trying to run for president after saying the state you were governor of ought to consider secession as a bargaining position.
"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."
Also interesting to note is that like much of the US Constitution it works by restriction. Treason shall be these things and no other: levying war against the US, or adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and comfort. Further, you need two eye witnesses or a confession in court. Pretty simple reason, the founding fathers were tired of treason being trotted out as a catch-all, "We the powerful don't like you, so we will call you a traitor for an easy excuse to hang you and defame you." So the highest laws of the US define treason strictly to war against your own country or aiding those at war against your country. If you don't do that you might still be guilty of a crime but you are not a traitor under the law of the land.
And here is Governor Rick Perry who wishes to be president, speaking about Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke. "If this guy prints more money between now and the election, I don’t know what y’all would do to him in Iowa, but we would treat him pretty ugly down in Texas. Printing more money to play politics at this particular time in American history is almost treacherous, or treasonous, in my opinion."
Hmm. Let's see. Is he accusing him (Bernanke) of taking up arms against the United States... hmm. Nope. Ah! Maybe he's saying Bernanke is giving the money to terrorists? Wait, no, he just says printing money, so not even aiding those at war with the United States... Huh. You know, I don't see anything in that statement that meets the requirements in Article III Section 3.
Rick? Do you mind if I call you Rick? Rick, the United States Constitution isn't a difficult document. It's short and to the point. You can carry a copy in your shirt pocket and still have print that isn't hard to read. If you wish to be president I don't think it's much to ask that you read what is the most important key foundational document of the federal government. So how about a deal? You agree to shut up until you have read through it at least once -- come on, you can do it in less than an hour while still taking notes. In return I will stop teasing you for trying to run for president after saying the state you were governor of ought to consider secession as a bargaining position.
