William A. Price who stood for all that is great about America, freedom of speech and freedom of the press, has passed

William A. Price has passed. To many he is probably not that well known if known at all. To people like Johnny he embodied that V for Vendetta spirit. He stood up to the Senate Committee on UnAmerican Activities and invoked his FIRST Amendment rights to not answer what his political affiliations may or may not be. While his colleagues (Otto Albertson, Richard O. Boyer, and Dan Mahoney) used their Fifth Amendment right against self incrimination, Price cited the First Amendment. He frustrated the Senate Committee again and again by daring to stand up to their tyrannical witch hunt. Price argued that in invoking the First Amendment’s protection of free speech and a free press, he told the subcommittee that it did not have jurisdiction to inquire into his political beliefs.

Sadly Mr. Price passed away this week in Manhattan at age 94. He was from Montclair, NJ.

When he invoked those First Amendment rights he was overruled again and again by communist witch hunter Senator James Eastland of Mississippi. Later Price would be sentenced to jail for 3 months and had to pay a $500 fine. Never has $500 defended so much freedom.

In the 1970's Price had his phones wiretapped under FBI director and noted crossdresser J. Edgar Hoover. Price sued the FBI for violating his civil right and won. He was awarded $10,000.

According to the New York Times Price served the United States military in World War II and flew air-rescue operations in the Aleutian Islands, attaining the rank of lieutenant.

We salute your strong spirit Mr. Price. It's easy to talk big on standing up to the government, it's quite another to be as brave as you were and put words to deeds.