Reply #8: How much experience do you have with First Amendment law?

[DoNotRefill]

I have more than a little bit. I studied it under a well-respected Federal Appellate Court judge. And I've seen how "national security" has been used over and over again to try to trample the First Amendment. Ever hear of a guy named Eugene Debs? Fascinating story...BAD caselaw.

Let me ask you this. How long has the Federal Government been trying to stop the release of information they deem as detrimental to national security by the media? Remember the Pentagon Papers case? The crux of the Novacks situation is that they're trying to penetrate the ability of reporters to shield their sources. And some people are calling for the criminal prosecution of a reporter. Extend your logic to the Pentagon Papers case... What result if that case was examined after the precedent you want to set in Novacks? How badly would free speech be chilled if reporters couldn't shield their sources and were put into prison for telling the truth?