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http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080227/COMMENTARY/334570410/1012
February 27, 2008
Dear friends:
In order to share the light of hope with you, please note this story as evidence that we can each help to make a difference. I called the Independent Institute in Oakland, CA which is a very active organization with an enormous e-mail list that offers courses in politics, economics/political interfacing, etc. I told them about the media black-out on S. 1959, the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act "and for other purposes", and briefed them in to the contents of the bill. Their media publicity coordinator, Elizabeth Brierly, was wonderfully receptive, immediately interested (no, the Institute was not aware of the bill because of the media blackout) and she promised to forward the information I sent her to their fre speech attorney, Donald Downs. She also volunteered (I never asked her) that she would let me know the upshot, stayed in touch with me every step of the way, and was just wonderful to work with, aside from being genuinely deeply concerned and wanting to do something about it. By golly, with Donald Downs's political science and law degrees behind him, as author of several books, and as Institute research fellow, they were able to break through the media black-out and get an article into the Washington Times! And true to her word, Elizabeth Brierly contacted me to let me know.
Yes, our word can help! Please pass word along in your local area to help break through the media black-out. Even college newsletter editors may be one good avenue to consider. Thank you!
Please note that due to the humming of anti-S1959 sentiment on the Internet, the Senate has shelved the vote for or against the bill, despite having been fast-tracked through the House with an overwhelming 404-6 vote. According to civil rights attorney Bruce Fein, Nancy Pelosi said that the first amendment should not "interfere" with Congressional business and that was the rationale on which the bill was passed by the House in one short hour, under suspended rule of discourse. ("Police in Thought Pursuit" by Bruce Fein, Washington Times.com). LET'S BE ENCOURAGED, NOT DISCOURAGED: Please call your Senator and remind them that you are adamantly opposed to S. 1959 and that any "yes" voter will be risking his/her seat in public office. Because We, the People, are going to start campaigning to challenge Congressional seats for anyone in Congress working to convert America to a dictatorship. Since there are only 140+ Senators and 400+ Representatives, but god knows how many Americans, to round up 3,000 citizens to challenge Congressional seats by 6:1 would be EASY. Please remind them. Thank you!
Please note that I have already briefed in Donald Downs and Elizabeth Brierly that there is one key piece of information which Mr Downs missed in the text of the bill. He apparently did not see the information (on page nine of the bill's text) about the Committee's duties to conduct hearings of American citizens, who would be tried by Government agents themselves absent a judge. And no jury is mentioned. I checked Donald Downs's info on the Institute's website and saw for myself, based on his writings, that he is very much "on our side" : This was clearly an oversight and not an intentional matter on his part. I am very grateful to the INdependent Institute and to Donald Downs for their work to break the media's silence in this area. That was no small accomplishment on their part. Cheers and hooray! ---Kathryn Smith ps FYI the Institute's website, with Donald Downs's bio, is here: http://www.independent.org/aboutus/person_detail.asp?id=526.
Good news! Don’s article on S. 1959 was published in today's Washington Times:
A commission that should cause concern
Donald Downs
http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080227/COMMENTARY/334570410/1012
February 27, 2008
Cheers and liberty!
Elizabeth
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Elizabeth C. Brierly
Public Affairs Coordinator
The Independent Institute
100 Swan Way, Oakland, CA 94621
510.632.1366 x119
