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fandomhigh2017-11-17 11:11 am
imafuturist) wrote in fandomhigh2017-11-17 11:11 am
Civics, Friday, November 17, 2017
"Treason is a word that gets thrown around a lot these days," Steve said. "And not just for people who don't like apple pie."
"And, in this country at least, it's also not about people who don't stand for the flag," Tony added. "Or people who don't agree with the government. Those are both rights that are blatantly placed into out constitution."
"Using tiny words that even the densest, hopefully, would understand," Steve said. "Everyone knows what abridge means, right?"
Maybe. Possibly? It was supposed to be taught!
"Treason here is defined as waging war on or assisting those waging war on the United States. Which is how we got our first big treason charge with Benedict Arnold in the revolutionary war," Tony said. "Arnold switched sides, becoming a British general."
Steve made a face. "In a world with political actors other than traditional nation states--terrorist organizations, for instance--treason has become a slightly more gray area than it was for Arnold."
Except for Hydra. Because screw Hydra.
"Which led to the charges in the Cold War not being of treason, but of espionage as that gray area became harder and harder to sort through legally," Tony said, nodding along before following it with a muttered, "Even with the witch hunt mentality whipped up by McCarthy."
"There have been very few people tried and convicted of treason over the years," Steve said. "Only about a dozen. It's a huge hurdle to clear, but colluding with a foreign government to win a Presidential election might just do it."
So bitter. So, so bitter.
"So!" Tony said brightly, because this could turn into a rant from both of them. "Today how about we examine what is considered treason in other systems of government?"
"And, in this country at least, it's also not about people who don't stand for the flag," Tony added. "Or people who don't agree with the government. Those are both rights that are blatantly placed into out constitution."
"Using tiny words that even the densest, hopefully, would understand," Steve said. "Everyone knows what abridge means, right?"
Maybe. Possibly? It was supposed to be taught!
"Treason here is defined as waging war on or assisting those waging war on the United States. Which is how we got our first big treason charge with Benedict Arnold in the revolutionary war," Tony said. "Arnold switched sides, becoming a British general."
Steve made a face. "In a world with political actors other than traditional nation states--terrorist organizations, for instance--treason has become a slightly more gray area than it was for Arnold."
Except for Hydra. Because screw Hydra.
"Which led to the charges in the Cold War not being of treason, but of espionage as that gray area became harder and harder to sort through legally," Tony said, nodding along before following it with a muttered, "Even with the witch hunt mentality whipped up by McCarthy."
"There have been very few people tried and convicted of treason over the years," Steve said. "Only about a dozen. It's a huge hurdle to clear, but colluding with a foreign government to win a Presidential election might just do it."
So bitter. So, so bitter.
"So!" Tony said brightly, because this could turn into a rant from both of them. "Today how about we examine what is considered treason in other systems of government?"
Re: Talk to the Teachers
"I'm trying," Peridot promised. "And it's hard to unlearn my entire life to adjust to this, but... I want to."
Re: Talk to the Teachers
Re: Talk to the Teachers
All of these things were still pretty comparatively new and novel. Peridot leaned in a little as if she was about to share on some big secret.
"I kind of like that part about this place."
Re: Talk to the Teachers