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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108-page perfect-bound ISSN#/ISBN# issue/paperback book “Blackbirds, Lyrebirds, WeaverBirds” cc&d, v340, the 12/23 issue Order the 6"x9" paperback book: 
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Free Speech Canto LXI
Michael Ceraolo
“the most dangerous
type of propaganda used in this country
is religious pacificism,
i.e.,
opposition to the war on the ground
that it is opposed to the word of God”
so spoke someone
in the administration
of the minister’s grandson
during the war to make
the world safe for democracy
and
clergymen of several denominations
were visited by government officials
and ‘encouraged’ not to utter anything
that could be construed as disloyal
One,
Rev. John Pluenneke
of Seguin, Texas,
was questioned after the Armistice
why he thought America should be ashamed
after peace had been declared;
Pluenneke believed
“we had no business to enter this horrible war”
and that our government
was controlled by the money power
He was arrested a few days later,
and was asked to step down as pastor
In mid-December
the question was put to the higher-ups:
should Pluenneke be brought before a grand jury?
and
a letter dated December 26th stated
“in view of the armistice
it is difficult to make the facts fit
into the intents and purposes against which
the Espionage Act is directed”
“all in all ...
not a case for further prosecution”
But
such quasi-vindication was too late:
on December 16th
Rev. Pluenneke had killed himself
