The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act. Orwell would have been thrilled ... AIPAC are

The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act.

The Act was sponsored by Congresswoman Democrat Jane Harman (pic of her with friend) of California. The House passed it by an overwhelming 404 to 6 vote (22 didn't vote) on October 23rd. It now awaiting approval by the Senate Homeland Security Committee, which is headed by well nown libertarian Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut.Detailed Vote here (Dennis Kucinich voted against)

Folks may possible remember that Harman was the ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in the 109th Congress. In October 2006 reports surfaced that Harman was under investigation by the FBI for "allegedly (with the help of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC NYT 24.10.06) enlisting wealthy donors to lobby then-House Minority Leader (and current House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi to retain her position as the head Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. Pelosi subsequently chose Silvestre Reyes to be the Chair of the Intelligence Committee in the 110th Congress

Approval by the committee will take place shortly, to be followed by passage by the entire Senate. Text of the Bill here.

This Bill, which has had scant attention in the MSM is predicated on the belief that the United States will soon have to deal with home grown terrorists and naturally, well ...er... something must be done... get up a posse?

The Act will ( will not would because it will be passed) create a congressional commission that will be empowered to hold hearings, conduct investigations, and designate various groups as "homegrown terrorists."

The commission will frame and propose new legislation that will enable the government to take punitive action against both the groups and the individuals who are affiliated with these domestic terrists.

This Commission will be peripatetic - it will hold hearingsthroughout the US to find the terrorists and root them out. These hearings of established by the Bill of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Commission can be arranged by any of the proposed 10 commission members , they can obtain testimony, administer oaths to witnesses, meaning that multiple hearings could be running simultaneously in various parts of the country.

The Commission members appointed directly by Congress will be selected for their "expertise," and (naturally) will reflect the usual political interests. They will be paid. They will have staff.
The Bill is silent on defining terrorism either inclusively or exclusively. "Homegrown terrorism" as "planning" or "threatening" to use force to promote a political objective, meaning that just thinking about doing something could be enough to merit the terrorist label are however detailed in such a fashion to keep lawyers in breakfasts for decades.

The act also describes "violent radicalization" as the promotion of an "extremist belief system" without attempting to define "extremist." (See Glossary)

The Commission will not operate in perpetuity. It's work completed (in some 18 months ! - ie to be inherited by the next Administration) a Centre of Excellence for the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism will be established to study the lessons learned.

The centre will operate either out of the Department of Homeland Security (you bet it will) or out of an appropriate academic institution and will be tasked with continuing to monitor the homegrown terrorism problem and proposing legislation and other measures to counter it.

The lack of clarity in the language and clear objectives will allow theose so inclined to hi-jack and abuse the process and seek define any group that is pressuring the political system as "terrorist," ranging from same- sex marriage freaks, polygamists, to second amendment rights supporters, anti-abortion protesters, anti-tax agitators, immigration activists, and peace demonstrators and 9/11 deniers.

The intention of course is to provide a spurious belief and widespread support that the groups and individuals on the extreme fringes of society - Mulsims maybe ? acn be hounded and perscuted, as these wannebe vigilantes roam the States hunting for someone to feed the bloated Department of Homeland Security who have the funds, resources and intelligence capabilities to hunt down the enemy within...having been remarkably unsuiccessful in fuinding the enemy without.

Glossary from Bill ;
‘‘(2) VIOLENT RADICALIZATION.—The term ‘violent radicalization’ means the process of adopting or promoting an extremist belief system for the purpose of facilitating ideologically based violence to ad19
vance political, religious, or social change.
‘‘(3) HOMEGROWN TERRORISM.—The term 'homegrown terrorism’ means the use, planned use, or threatened use, of force or violence by a group or individual born, raised, or based and operating primarily within the United States or any possession of the United States to intimidate or coerce the United States government, the civilian population of the United States, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.
‘‘(4) IDEOLOGICALLY BASED VIOLENCE.—The term ‘ideologically based violence’ means the use, planned use, or threatened use of force or violence by a group or individual to promote the group or individual’s political, religious, or social beliefs.

THis is the lady who promoted the Bill and whom you might wish to represent any views you may have ..
Democratic Rep. Jane Harman,
Washington, DC2400 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515Phone: (202) 225 8220Fax: (202) 226 7290

See Open letter to her from 911.Blogger