1984 arrived a little late, but Orwell still deserves some credit. There is little doubt that a law preventing a citizen from taping police violence against another innocent citizens will be struck down in the court, but how long can the republic last when such laws against some aspect of democracy are proposed on an almost daily basis?
The answer is “not long”. Consider adding that to the fate of whistleblowers. Bradley Manning and Julian Assange will never get out of jail, and their leaks were carefully pre-vetted and did less damage than Daniel Ellsberg’s. Soon all journalists that publish leaks will be jailed and the press will be silenced. See today’s headlines about President Obama thundering that leakers will be severely punished on grounds that they endanger lives. That’s a lie, and this is the same guy who campaigned on protecting whistleblowers.
Alan, It is a very sad story. When anyone leaks that our nation is commiting attrocities there is an almost universal call to punish the messenger. It’s hard to read the Jewish prophets and not figure out where this bus is headed. Thanks for writing, Jim.