Justice Denied in Missouri

Mark Twain once called free speech the “privilege of the grave.” Nothing more than an empty formality, speech, Twain argued, is not to be regarded seriously as an actual possession. “As an active privilege, it ranks with the privilege of committing murder: we may exercise it if we are willing to take the consequences. Murder is forbidden both in form and in fact; free speech is granted in form but forbidden in fact….Murder is sometimes punished, free speech always.”

Recently in Missouri, two anti-drone protesters, Ton Faust and Brian Terrell, were sentenced to six months in prison and federal probation for five years for trespassing at Whiteman Air Force Base. This base operates predator drones, which are being flown in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The official website for Whiteman Air Force Base states that the base’s mission, as fulfilled by the B-2 drone bombers, is to deliver “Skilled and proud Airmen providing full spectrum, expeditionary, B-2 global strike and combat support capabilities to geographic commanders and the Commander, USSTRATCOM, while supporting Team Whiteman. We kick down doors and kill targets… Weapons on Target, On Time!”

This article covers the story of Ton Faust and Brian Terrell’s conviction, coupled with the humorous approach of Twain’s to free speech in our country. Very interesting article!