Wilson – One Mean Progressive

The Sedition Act of 1918 was passed by Congress in 1918 during Word War I. President Wilson (a progressive) was worried that the anti-war dissenters were a significant threat to the morale of Americans. So rather than allowing free speech, he got Congress to silence these individuals with the Sedition Act. The law prohibited Americans to use "disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language" about the involvement of the United States government, the flag, or the armed forces during war. It also allowed the Postmaster General to deny mail service to dissenters of government policy during wartime.

Unfortunately, the Supreme Court upheld the act at the time it was in effect. However, subsequent court rulings would render it unconstitutional today.

What is not reported in most history books today is the fact that numerous US citizens, including members of the Industrial Workers of the World union were imprisoned during World War I for their anti-war dissent under the provisions of the Sedition Act. Anti-war protestors were arrested by the hundreds for speaking out against the draft, the war, and government policies.

Censorship had hit new highs in America!
Are we allowing this history to repeat itself today? Has Congress overstepped their authority? Has the President? We need to step-up and challenge them before we loose all our freedoms.