[R-G] House Democrats Pass New Terrorism Prevention Law

[Anthony Fenton]

http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=72&ItemID=14192

House Democrats Pass New Terrorism Prevention Law

Almost without notice, the House overwhelmingly (404 - 6) passed the
Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of
2007 (HR 1955) on October 23 some are calling "the thought crime
prevention bill." It now moves to the Senate where if passed and
signed by George Bush will establish a commission and Center of
Excellence to study and act against thought criminals.

The bill's language hides its true intent as "violent
radicalization" and "homegrown terrorism" are whatever the
administration says they are. Violent radicalization is defined
as "adopting or promoting an extremist belief system (to facilitate)
ideologically based violence to advance political, religious or
social change." Homegrown terrorism is used to mean "the use,
planned use, or threatened use, of force or violence by a group or
individual born, raised, or based and operating primarily with the
United States or any (US) possession to intimidate or coerce the
(US) government, the civilian population....or any segment thereof
(to further) political or social objectives."

Along with other repressive laws enacted post-9/11, HR 1955 may be
used against any individual or group with unpopular views - those
that differ from established state policies even when they're
illegal as are many under George Bush. Prosecutors henceforth will
be able to target anti-war protesters, believers in Islam, web
editors, internet bloggers and radio and TV show hosts and
commentators with views the bill calls "terrorist-related
propaganda."

If this legislation becomes law, which is virtually certain, any
dissenting anti-government action or opinion may henceforth be
called "violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism" with stiff
penalties for anyone convicted. This bill now joins the ranks of
other repressive post-9/11 laws like Patriot I and II, Military
Commissions and Protect America Acts that combined with this one are
grievous steps toward a full-blown national security police state
everyone should fear and denounce.

Blame it on Congress and the 110th Democrat-led one that was elected
to end these practices but just made them worse....and there's still
14 months to go to the term's end with plenty of time left to
vaporize Iran and end the republic if that's the plan.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at
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Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to
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