From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!floyd!cmcl2!philabs!sdcsvax!sdccsu3!ee163cz
Newsgroups: net.misc
Title: Treason???
Article-I.D.: sdccsu3.415
Posted: Thu Mar 17 10:48:21 1983
Received: Wed Mar 23 07:31:59 1983


   I read in the L.A. Times this morning that Reagan's proposed measures
to help fight crime include re-institution of the federal death penalty
for treason and espionage.   WHAT????  When was the last time anyone was
convicted in this country of "levying war against [the United States], or...
adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort"?  The death penalty
isn't too useful when already nobody commits such a crime.  Anyway, treason
and espionage are basically war-time crimes; is Reagan planning a little
war (just a *limited* nuclear war) to take our minds off handgun proliferation
and gang rapes on barroom pool-tables?

   *Has* anyone been convicted of treason or espionage lately?  I wouldn't
think too many people would want to betray this country, anyway, unless
maybe the current administration goes too far in its policy of defending
government against the governed.

                                     -- Eric J. Wilner
                                        (F. J. Gumby)
                                     sdcsvax!sdccsu3!ee163cz