Mansfield Considers Reinstating Sedition Act

I must be in a time machine. For I feel myself transported back to the future.

The Town of Mansfield’s Town Council is considering reinstating their very own version of the “The Alien and Sedition Act”

Included in the Nov. 28, 2011 Packet prepared for discussion at tonight’s 7:30 p.m. meeting is a memo from the Town Manager Matthew Hart (dated June 1, 2010) in which he defines “Harassment” as follows:

“The Town recognizes the right of citizens to criticize their government, but this must be done responsibly with civility and should never take the form, for example, of a defamatory statement or inflammatory criticism regarding a Town employee, especially in a public forum.”

Wow!

This is a bad idea that simply won’t die!

While the sedition component of the Alien and Sedition Act of 1798 was never challenged in a court of law, it ruled the day in the Court of History. In 1798 John Adams tried the very same thing. His intention at the time was to silence one man- James Thompson Callender- the Father of Investigative Journalism. In fact, Adams had Callender jailed for a period of time under the Act.

In his old age and after much reflection, President John Adams (the old lawyer) regretted the Alien and Sedition Act. It blemished his reputation, his record and all of his good deeds accomplished over a lifetime. And, until a biographical rescue by David McCullough, Adams was effectively removed him from the Pantheon of American heroes.

Again, in 1918 the Sedition Act rose up only to be later struck down.

And now, in 2011 Mansfield’s Town Manager has his own version for consideration at tonight’s meeting.

I am embarrassed for Mr. Hart, the Town Council, and the Town of Mansfield.

That we should even consider such language flies in the face of all the freedoms long fought for in this country, but in particular the one that we hold near and dear-freedom of speech!

This is no joke.

All good citizens should speak out in opposition to this muzzling of free speech. Imagine if this policy as stated in this memo applied to criticism of the President of the United States, Congress or any government official?

Please, council members, think more than twice before enacting such a repressive, totalitarian policy/ordinance regardless of your intent.