Title: Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007
Bill Number: H.R. 1955
Sponsor: Representative Jane Harman (D-CA)
Number of Cosponsors: 14
Bill Summary:
According to supporters, the measure will play an important role in helping
government and law enforcement officials understand and prevent domestic
terrorism. In a speech on the House floor advocating passage of the bill, Rep.
Jane Harman (D-Calif.) -- the coauthor and initial sponsor of the measure --
warned that the next time the U.S. faces a terrorist threat, "my assumption is
that many who attack us will already be here, and some will be US citizens." To
prevent that attack, she said, the new "legislation will help the nation
develop a better understanding of the forces that lead to homegrown terrorism,
and the steps we can take to stop it."
Critics of the measure allege that it is a thinly veiled and dangerous attempt
to criminalize dissent. Such concern is based on the bill's vague and
open-ended language that, critics say, could be used by the government to
trample basic rights to free speech and assembly and turn legitimate dissent
into thought crimes.
The legislation, for instance, defines "violent radicalization" as "the process
of adopting or promoting an extremist belief system for the purpose of
facilitating ideologically based violence to advance political, religious, or
social change." The bill makes no attempt to define what an "extremist belief
system" might be. Nor does it define the action of "facilitating ideologically
based violence."
In its section on key findings related to homegrown terrorism, the measure
gives lip-service to constitutional rights, but also singles out the Internet
and its open market for the flow of ideas and information as part of the
problem. According to the measure, "The Internet has aided in facilitating
violent radicalization, ideologically based violence, and the homegrown
terrorism process in the United States by providing access to broad and
constant streams of terrorist-related propaganda to United States citizens."
The unspoken threat implied by that passage is that the government might have
to clamp down on free speech online. "At base," wrote retired Col. Dan Smith in
Counterpunch, "Harman's proposal seems to be a direct attack on First Amendment
rights."
Bill Status:
H.R. 1955 passed the House by a landslide vote of 404-6 on October 23, 2007
(Roll Call Vote 993). The bill has been received by the Senate and was referred
to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Our Position:
The John Birch Society opposes the passage of vaguely worded legislation that
could lead federal agencies to arbitrarily define some modes of thought as one
or more varieties of "extremist belief systems." In the 18th Century, the
British government of King George III certainly believed as much about the
manner of thought adopted by America's Founding Fathers. The John Birch Society
believes the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act will
have a substantial chilling effect on both free speech and thought and that the
Senate should reject the measure.
Recommended Action:
1) Contact your senators using the alert below. Ask them to oppose the passage
of H.R. 1955.
2) E-mail this link to others in your sphere of influence, ask them to voice
their opposition to H.R. 1955 as well.
Thank you,
The John Birch Society
Standing for family and freedom since 1958
DHARMA <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Think bad about the government?! How do they
know what someone is thinking? Does this have to do with their developing a
psychic research program during the coldwar? Or does this have to do with
internet eavesdropping? Is this a type of tyranny like unto the dark ages?
Does this have anything to do with ego conflicts between the upper classes?
Does this mean that in the USA they are going to change the constitution to
authorize unfair determinations on what is a bonafide religion or to alter the
"freedom of speech" codes?
Oh, btw, Is there a group for vegan entrepeneurs?
It must all get back to identity issues. Conflicts arise over the assumption
that this material existence is more real than it is in truth. It is the
illusion of the river. If you look at the river do you say "there is the
river"? What is the river? Is the river the banks of the river or is the
river the water? If the river is the water, then that water is constantly
changing. One moment there is a body of water and the next minute that body of
water is replaced. Now what if that river is the river of time?
I need to meditate on this in hopes of developing a better understanding.
Because, frankly, I am having trouble understanding.
ys C dasa
URGENT!!! Think Bad About the Government Go to Jail - House Passes " Posted
by: "Kerri Milam" [EMAIL PROTECTED] kerrimilam Thu Nov 8, 2007 10:15 am
(PST) PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE take action on this alert!
Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2007 11:04:41 EST
Subject: [ISWA] Think Bad About the Government Go to Jail
Please take this action (I e-mailed *and* called) It does affect us all;
http://www.capwiz. com/jbs/issues/ alert/?alertid= 10528846
Peace, Juli
"If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you
will create a despotic government to be your master. The wise despot,
therefore, maintains among his subjects a popular sense that they are helpless
and ineffectual. " - Frank Herbert, author of "Dune"
You measure a democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom
it gives its assimilated conformists. ": Abbie Hoffman
"If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as
I'm the dictator." - George W. Bush (December 18, 2000)
http://www.chooseve g.com/meet- your-meat. asp
The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who
are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.
-Albert Einstein
DHARMA
http://japa-mala.org
Call or write if you need guidance & training
regarding Yoga Principles.
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Voicemail # 775-368-4002
ANYTIME FAX 830-542-4092
http://www.chooseveg.com/meet-your-meat.asp
The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who
are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.
-Albert Einstein
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