Partisan congressional hearings are a threat to all citizens – Monroe Evening News

Bruce Diven| The Monroe News

A great injustice is being perpetrated on the American people by the congressional hearings focused on bringing legal charges against former President Donald Trump. These hearings are very partisan and solely an exercise in making sure that former President Trump will be unable to gain enough support for another presidential run in 2024.

The media (who never liked Trump and were called fake news) have been willing allies in airing this prime time attack on the former president. What happened to the Fairness Doctrine of 1968? Federal Communications Commission rules stated that the Fairness Doctrine should apply to everyone.Whether you like or dislike President Trump, we have lost the balanced and fair reporting that Americans expect of our media.Shame on them and shame on the citizens of this country for not calling them out.The voters and citizens deserve better.

So lets say that I dont like you, my next door neighbor.I also have a group of other people that I find out dont like you either. If I have enough money and hate you enough, then I could buy TV air time and show video clips of you cutting off the tops of flowers at your home, kicking your dog, and putting your trash out in the street rather than on the curb.

I bet I could find a number of employees who worked at the business you ownto tell stories of the terrible things they saw at your business and get statements from the employees who were fired for no just cause. If I can spin the story over and over again linked with distasteful images, then I am able to cast doubt on your character and ruin your personal and business reputation.

Does this sound fair or legal? It is not.You have legal rights from slander and can sue me for monetary damages and/or jail time up to one year. Even in criminal cases, all Americans are able to have a lawyer and provide opposing evidence to mount a defense against your accuser. If these congressional hearings can do this to former President Trump and provide him no legal defense, then they can do this to you and me.

This isnt the first time that the U.S. government and politicians have run a similar scam on the American people. In 1938, Rep. Martin Dies, D-Texas, convened the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) to investigate alleged disloyalty and rebel activities on the part of private citizens, public employees and organizations suspected of having communist ties.The committee employed several controversial methods to accomplish its goal of ferreting out suspected communists. During the hearing, the suspected communist was grilled about his or her political beliefs and activities and then asked to provide the names of other people who had taken part in allegedly subversive activities.

Any additional figures identified in this manner also received subpoenas, widening the committees probe. Individuals who refused to answer the committees questions or to provide names could be indicted for contempt of Congress and sent to prison. Subjects of HUAC investigations had the option of invoking their right to avoid self-incrimination under the Fifth Amendment, but pleading the Fifth created the impression that they were guilty of a crime. In addition, those who refused to cooperate were often blacklisted by their employers. They lost their jobs and were effectively prevented from working in their chosen profession.

HUACs tactics amounted to a witch hunt that trampled on citizens rights and ruined their careers and reputations. Most people who were called before the committee had broken no laws, but instead were targeted for their political beliefs or for exercising their right to free speech.

No matter what your feelings are regarding President Trump, these ongoing congressional hearings are a threat to every citizens right to fair and equitable treatment under the law. I have had enough … how about you?

Bruce Diven, D.P.T., of Monroe is a physical therapist and a clinical and adjunct professor with Wayne State University. He can be contacted at BCDDPT@comcast.net.

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Partisan congressional hearings are a threat to all citizens - Monroe Evening News