[ihsw]

There is already precedent for criminalizing dissent -- Turkey, for example, considers online criticism of Turkey as equivalent to damaging national security by spreading propaganda with the intent to provoke attacks towards the Turkish government.

It would be fair to assume the US would be open to such means to improve security.

[twoodfin]

No, it wouldn't. The US has a long, deep tradition of not criminalizing dissenting views. Exceptions like the Alien & Sedition acts or the "Red Scare" are remarkable because they're so counter to that tradition.

[nitrogen]

Subtle manipulation is worse than overt criminalization.

[chimeracoder]

> There is already precedent for criminalizing dissent -- Turkey, for example,

No need to reach so far. New York just made it illegal to advocate boycotting Israel[0].

[0] http://www.salon.com/2016/06/05/ny_gov_cuomo_signing_unconst...

[vageli]

From the article you cited, it appears that the law in question prohibits investment by the State of New York, not by individuals:

> WHEREAS, the State of New York will not permit its own investment activity to further the BDS campaign in any way, shape or form, whether directly or indirectly;

Is there more to it than what the article mentions?