Washblog

"Thank you for contacting me about your concerns about the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007, H.R. 1955. I appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns with me on this legislation, and value this opportunity to respond.

"As you know, H.R. 1955 was introduced by Representative Jane Harman of California on April 19, 2007. This legislation would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a grant program to thwart radicalization, ideologically-motivated violence, and homegrown terrorism within our nation, create a Center of Excellence for the Study of Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism in the academic sector, and require an international survey of foreign nations' methodologies for the prevention of radicalization and terrorism within their countries. Further, this legislation specifically prohibits the violation of constitutional rights, civil rights, or civil liberties in the effort to combat domestic terrorism or radical violence.

".... I understand your concerns about civil liberties, and like you, I place a very high premium on the Constitution's protections for Americans' civil rights and liberties. However, I do not agree that this legislation presents a threat to those basic freedoms. The bill establishes a governmental commission, an academic research center, and other initiatives to study violent radicalization and means to prevent it, both within the United States as well as abroad. However, it does not go so far as to infringe upon the rights of individuals. H.R. 1955 also creates robust auditing and oversight mechanisms to ensure the protection of civil rights and civil liberties. Please be assured thought that should the bill pass the Senate and be signed into law, I will follow its implementation to be sure it is effective and will keep your comments in mind...."
http://crap713three...

Congressman Smith:

Regarding H.R. 1955, Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007, why was this bill passed under cover, virtually in the dark of night, with no disclosure of its passage to the public it affects, with no media coverage, with no public discussion regarding the intent of this bill?

What about the vague language used to define "violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism"?  The bill does not specifically define what an extremist belief system is, it is entirely up to the interpretation of the government. "Promoting any belief system that the government considers to be an extremist agenda..."   Using this definition the ungoverned government can define whatever it wants as an extremist belief system, essentially defining violent radicalization as thought crime.

Another provision of H.R. 1955 is the creation of a commission, the National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism. and a Center of Excellence to study and defeat so called thought criminals.  A Center of Excellence in what?

In regard to the governing body of the National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism:

"Composition of Commission -- The Commission shall be composed of 10 members appointed for the life of the Commission, of whom--

      `(1) one member shall be appointed by the President from among officers or employees of the executive branch and private citizens of the United States;

      `(2) one member shall be appointed by the Secretary;

      `(3) one member shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;

      `(4) one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;

      `(5) one member shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

      `(6) one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives;

      `(7) one member shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives;

      `(8) one member shall be appointed by the ranking minority member of the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives;

      `(9) one member shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and

      `(10) one member shall be appointed by the ranking minority member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate."

SEC. 899C. NATIONAL COMMISSION ON THE PREVENTION OF VIOLENT RADICALIZATION AND IDEOLOGICALLY BASED VIOLENCE: Part (c):
http://thomas.loc.gov...

What these commissioners to be called. Commisars, perchance?

Frankly, the term itself, Center of Excellence sounds very much like something out of Soviet Russia.

"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."

SEC. 899A. DEFINITIONS: Part (2)