Five Before Chaos

Brattlerouser at GMD has the scoop on H.R. 1955: The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007. Yeah, I know, it sounds scary. According to an article in the Baltimore Sun:

(The bill) tramples constitutional rights by creating a commission with sweeping investigative power and a mandate to propose laws prohibiting whatever the commission labels “homegrown terrorism.”

The proposed commission is a menace through its power to hold hearings, take testimony and administer oaths, an authority granted to even individual members of the commission – little Joe McCarthys – who will tour the country to hold their own private hearings. An aura of authority will automatically accompany this congressionally authorized mandate to expose native terrorism.

Ms. Harman’s proposal includes an absurd attack on the Internet, criticizing it for providing Americans with “access to broad and constant streams of terrorist-related propaganda,” and legalizes an insidious infiltration of targeted organizations. The misnamed “Center of Excellence,” which would function after the commission is disbanded in 18 months, gives the semblance of intellectual research to what is otherwise the suppression of dissent.

While its purpose is to prevent terrorism, the bill doesn’t criminalize any specific conduct or contain penalties. But the commission’s findings will be cited by those who see a terrorist under every bed and who will demand enactment of criminal penalties that further restrict free speech and other civil liberties. Action contrary to the commission’s findings will be interpreted as a sign of treason at worst or a lack of patriotism at the least.

While Ms. Harman denies that her proposal creates “thought police,” it defines “homegrown terrorism” as “planned” or “threatened” use of force to coerce the government or the people in the promotion of “political or social objectives.” That means that no force need actually have occurred as long as the government charges that the individual or group thought about doing it.

F-ing great. Anyways, to add insult to injury, Congressman Peter Welch voted for this bill. Go here to give him some grief. When the hell someone’s finally going to get up the nerve to mount a primary challenge, well, it seems like that time is drawing near, don’t you?

It remains to be seen how this will fare in the Senate and how Leahy and Sanders will vote. As soon as I get more info on the Senate bill, I’ll let you know.