They are idiots and don't GET it.

I heard MY congressman (an inside-the-beltway, old-school Democrat, Earl Blumenauer, OR-3) explain that this bill won't do anything but "form a commission that will report to Congress."

He claims to have read it and not be frightened by what it does: DEFINE "homegrown terrorism" in the worst possible broad way and DEFINE the Internet as a "breeding ground for terrorism" and empower this "commission" to come up with ideas that will then be transferred to Congress.

Clearly, he hasn't read history and doesn't know what an "enabling law" really is.

Another Democrat that needs to be put out to pasture and replaced with one who actually UNDERSTANDS the Constitution, and not just the titles of bills.

by Charlie L (2 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 715 comments) on Friday, December 7, 2007 at 10:38:43 AM
 

That's MY bozo!

Yeh, Earl might be listed as a Democrat but the FIRST thing he wants to do is keep his cushy job, excellant health care and of course there is the nice pension if he holds on just a few more years.  Voting with the Republicans has not hurt a Democrat all that much yet.

 One day, perhaps we'll wise up and start voting for people who are with us, rather than against us.

 Veteran '66-68

by Roger (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 388 comments) on Friday, December 7, 2007 at 11:33:26 AM
 

There's no time to talk. Let's act, please!

Folks, some situations are so grave and serious that they merit a certain kind of emergency action.

When we sit and talk, we get nothing done. And in so doing, we enable the very things we are complaining about.

 S. 1959 is one of those urgent red flags. We've got to act and channel every last ounce of our energies to action and doing. To post complaints will only discourage the masses, not encourage them. And that, itself, will only stand in the way of proactivity.

Proactivity is needed so desparately right now. It is only because AMericans do nothing that Congress thinks they can literally get away with murder.

 We make an assumption that our voice won't count. It's not true. Politicians are resigning en masse to avoid scandal, are cloaking their actions in sweet-sounding "protections" which clamp down on us, and legislating the kinds of crack-downs on free speech associated with S.1959 for one very cryptic reason:

They are scared of our being vocal. Wrong-doings do not like to see the light of day.

Let's take courage from this clear fact, as illustrated in our current (not our past) history, and use every last ounce of energy for fighting the war for our freedom. And a war it is. We've got to let them know that we will not go down without fighting.

The only guarantee that nothing will work is if we don't do our part. Please let's take up the sword of truth and use it to our disposal.

Write your independend media, urge readers to contact Senators, and shut up with all your complaints and for god's sake DO something! There's no time to be lost, not even one minute. Dynamo, let's go; NOW!

by Kathryn Smith (97 articles, 2 quicklinks, 42 diaries, 410 comments) on Friday, December 7, 2007 at 12:12:05 PM
 

and thank you, Kathryn

for taking so many pro-active steps to defeat this dangerous legislation. The best defense against tyranny is an informed and involved public.

by Better World Order (4 articles, 434 quicklinks, 30 diaries, 932 comments) on Friday, December 7, 2007 at 12:12:51 PM
 

Here's another idea!

Okay folks. One, two, three....go!!!

A) The comments here indicate that we need encouragement. So....let's report back to each other as we have success experiences in publicizing this matter. As we see colleges taking action whom we have contacted, etc....let's report back and let each other know! William Cormier, you have been so good about this: Thank you!

 B) IT'S TIME TO ASK SOME POLITICIANS TO RESIGN. Specifically:

"In the Senate of the United States, Ms Collins (for herself and Mr Coleman) introduced the following Bill :" (s.1959 the Homegrown Terrorism and VIolent Radicalization Act).

In the House, it was Jane Harmon.

C) GIven the recent news revelation that Iran halted its nuclear program years ago, and that Cheney/Bush were spouting "fear ye, fear ye!" out of their mouths in order to rush us to war as usual....it's time that we DEMAND, don't ASK, that they resign.

D) Nancy Pelosi MUST put impeachment back ON the table, disclose whatever is UNDER the table in holding it back, or get the hell out.

 I WANT TO SEE *PUBLIC* CALLS FOR RESIGNATIONS EVERWHERE! ANYONE WHO SUPPORTS THIS BILL, WHO SUPPORTS THE RUSH TO WAR BASED ON LIES, WHO OPENS UP THE PURSE TO FUND IT, MUST GO! AND NOW!

Let's not forget that attorneys of national stature, such as the ACLU and Center for Constitutional Rights, are "with us" in saying that this bill clamps down on thought, not on action. We have them on our side, and we have the People en masse on our side. Those who don't "get it" will when solid facts are pointed out to them about arrests occurring for free thought. Show them the text of the bill and the articles I linked by the attorneys above, and you will see them coming around. And fast, too!

PREACHING TO THE CHOIR WORKS! You get a wave going of your own constituent base, the wave gathers endorsement, then gathers power, and finally "the other side" begins to join in. Let's start where we DO have support and "go for it!"

Time to get these fascists out of office! Time to embarrass the hell out of them, and NOW! Let's go!!

by Kathryn Smith (97 articles, 2 quicklinks, 42 diaries, 410 comments) on Friday, December 7, 2007 at 12:51:25 PM
 

I called my Senators again yesterday

and told the Aides why this bill is dangerous and why i oppose it, and that I want Boxer and Feinstein to block it. I also asked how many people have been calling in, and how many support it vs. oppose it. They wouldn't give me numbers, but both acknowledged they've been getting a lot of calls, and nearly all the calls are in opposition. 

 Also, i heard from someone who has a Senator on the Committee that they were going to be scheduling hearings, but now that has been postponed and they are looking at the text, that there won't be hearings before January. Hopefully this is true, it is another sign the Senate is taking notice of the public uproar over this bill.

Also, people are organizing protests and the MSM is starting to notice, as a google news search reveals

by Better World Order (4 articles, 434 quicklinks, 30 diaries, 932 comments) on Friday, December 7, 2007 at 1:20:55 PM
 

Not a bit of difference

Dial till your fingers fall off, write till they cramp, it won't make any difference. The so-called representatives don't give a damn about the people.

There are only two ways - one: get in their faces, and I mean physically, get out from behind your desk, off your couch and spend the money and the time to sit in their hallways till you're heard - and even then nothing is for sure.

Two: revolt. Our system of government is broken. It doesn't work.  We haven't had a representative government since 1913. You want to stop war? Quit paying for them. The Federal Reserve Bank is what the so-called elected (elections are rigged - but that's another story we should be all over) officials represent. And the FRB isn't even part of the government. But the FRB owns our government, the manufactures of the weaponry, and the media. But you can't name one person who can tell us who owns the FRB. Come April send your tax form back blank save for a red - signifying blood - hand print on it. Come the elections refuse to vote on E-voting machines. Demand a paper, public counted process. If necessary sabotage the E-voting machines. The time for massive civil disobedience has arrived. There is no "safe" way anymore.

The time for letter writing and phone calls is over. Those that think change will occur unless we take some risks are cowards and fools. There is no way the powers that be are going to listen unless they are threatened and they don't give a damn about, emails, letters or phone calls. It's the money - we hold back the money - we get in their faces - then you see some change. Until then we're just wasting time and fooling ourselves.

Call if you think it will do any good, but to be for real change you're going to have to put something more on the line than stomping around your living room, those feet now must hit the streets and you're going to have to risk everything or there is no doubt you will lose everything if you don't.

by Mr M (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 15 diaries, 1696 comments) on Friday, December 7, 2007 at 1:23:20 PM
 

My God ...

I just read my own post and realised I'm one of those Violent Radicals!

by Mr M (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 15 diaries, 1696 comments) on Friday, December 7, 2007 at 1:31:09 PM
 

Mao-Maoing the flack-catcher

   I did participate in the 1968 "march on the pentagon."  It was large; snow fence 'barriers' were knocked down. Apparently McNamara was watching it all from his pentagon window.

     All that was accomplished was a little press attention, McNamara got the message that lots of people, of all ages, didn't like the war. Someone has noted that the real protest didn't begin until the draft lottery was instituted (no longer could white guys with some college or a cushy National Guard position expect that they'd never be called until less-educated guys with darker skin were "all used up."

      Anyway, the bottom-line impact was this: The war continued for another 7 (that would be  s e v e n) more years.

        I'm thinking that more results will come from an extended presence, modeled after the Bonus Marchers in 1932, spring and summer. Check the Wikipedia (or other) article(s) for more details. George Patton drove them out of the District. The posse comitatus act doesn't apply to the District, so federal troops could be used. On the other hand, Congress (as usual, regardless whether they're Demicans or Republicrats) caved on Shrub's demand for repeal of the act--so now El Presidente can summon the states' militia/guard without the governor of that state acting independently, making the yes or no decision on mobilization.

       Which means that even camping outside DC we'd be subject to the National Guards of contiguous states.

       However, the good news is that apparently only two bonus marchers were killed, one lost an ear to a saber, a couple of kids died, death attributed to tear gas exposure. I think the National Guard in the Kent State Massacre killed only four, wounded nine, one sustaining permanent paralysis.

     Like Kathryn suggested, it's going to take more than phone calls, newspaper and broadcast editorials. In some form, it will require a human presence that is, in some measure, at least disruptive to the normal thought process of "our" Congress. Whether that's a:

tent city with daily romps in the halls of the various house and senate office buildings;

camping out in legislators' offices;

         Mao-maoing the flack-catcher; and, more broadly;

Civil protest--in front of stores owned by or selling goods of "proscribed outfits," picketing.  Etc.  Any other ideas, guys?

by Rick Blair (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 12 comments) on Friday, December 7, 2007 at 11:05:17 PM
 

Check out Rand Corporation Link to H 1955/S 1959

A clue to future "other purposes" may lie in the Act's parentage. The proud House "mother" of the Patriot Act's evil twin is Rep. Jane Harmon (D-CA), chair of the Homeland Security Intelligence Subcommittee. Rep. Harmon has admitted to a long and productive relationship with the RAND Corporation, a California based think-tank with close ties to the military-industrial-intelligence complex. RAND's 2005 study, "Trends in Terrorism," contains a chapter titled, "Homegrown Terrorist Threats to the United States." Is this Act a bastard child?

Keep in mind that the RAND Corporation was set up in 1946 by Army Air Force General Henry "Hap" Arnold as "Project RAND" sponsored by the Douglas Aircraft Company. Keep in mind also that Donald Rumsfeld was its chairman from 1981 to 1986 and Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Dick Cheney's felonious former chief of staff, and Condoleezza Rice were trustees. Enough said!

RAND maintains that "homegrown terrorism" will not be the result of jihadist sleeper cells. Rather, it will result from anti-globalists and radical environmentalists who "challenge the intrinsic qualities of capitalism, charging that in the insatiable quest for growth and profit, the philosophy is serving to destroy the world's ecology, indigenous cultures, and individual welfare."

Further, RAND claims that anti-globalists and radical environmentalists "exist in much the same operational environment as al Qaida" and pose "a clear threat to private-sector corporate interests, especially large multinational business." Therein lies the real "other purposes."

Predictably then, H.R. 1955 is not about protecting homegrown Americans. That protection is only incidental to its "other purposes" of protecting homegrown corporate interest and its unconscionable manipulation of the American political process to fill its coffers. Any thought or speech or action- however protected it might be by the Bill of Rights-that threatens corporate hegemony and profit will no doubt suffer the "other purposes" clause of the Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act.

by maryrose (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 10 comments) on Friday, December 7, 2007 at 8:09:09 PM
 

It's not about protests + JUST calling Senators It IS about:

CONTACTING GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS AND BEGGING THEM TO GET INVOLVED!

THAT'S OUR HOPE. It's not true that the voices of hte masses won't count: I have seen Senators reverse their positions 180 degrees as signatures by the millions come in from MOveon.org et al.

I also draw hope from the fact that so many politicians are resigning to avoid scandal. This indicates that the voices of the few won't matter, but the voices of the masses WILL.

No wrong-doing likes to see the light of truth. That is where the public opinion DOES matter and our voice DOES count! Witness again: Resignations by the half-dozens and more all the time, just to avoid scandal!

Come on, people, let's not get in our own way! Let' s please get on with the strategic way to go:

A) Contact grassroots organizations and ask them to deliver on-line signatures

B) Get college newspaper editors involved, asking their readers to call Congress

C) Ask our friends to call Congress

POLITICIANS WANT TO BE RE-ELECTED!
YES, WE ALL KNOW THE VOTES ARE RIGGED AND NO, THEY CAN'T RIG THEM PAST A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE FROM THE POLLS! SO THAT IS OUR HOPE, FOLKS. THE OVERWHELMINGLY PRO-DEMOCRATIC SENTIMENT IS WHY DEMS WON THE ELECTION LAST TIME.

(No, I don't htink Dems are all good either, FYI. But I am only making a point, about the polls not the Dems!)

FOLKS, I REPEAT MYSELF FOR A REASON, PLEASE "HEAR" ME. THIS IS ABOUT CONTACTING THE ACTIVIST ORGANIZATIONS, NOT ONLY ABOUT CALLING CONGRESS! IT'S ABOUT GETTING THE UNDERGROUND/INDEPENDENT MEDIA INVOLVED. WE HAVE GOT TO BE STRATEGIC AND SINCE OUR FREE SPEECH IS AT STAKE, THERE IS SIMPLY NO TIME TO TALK AND WHINE!

ONE MORE REQUEST PLEASE.

PLEASE CONTACT THE GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS AND ASK THEM TO ISSUE PUBLIC CALLS FOR THE RESIGNATIONS OF REP. JANE HARMON AND SEN. SUSAN COLLINS, WHO INTRODUCED THIS EVIL ACT CLAMPING DOWN ON FREE THOUGHT AND "RADICALLY VIOLATING" THE CONSTITUTION ITSELF. THEY MUST BE ASKED TO STEP DOWN, IF NOTHING ELSE TO EMBARRASS THEM (BECAUSE THEY WON'T STEP DOWN) AND TO DISCOURAGE SENATORS FROM VOTING "YES".

LET'S BE STRATEGIC, FOLKS AND PLEASE, PLEASE HEAR ME FOR WHAT I HAVE REALLY ASKED! THANK YOU.

by Kathryn Smith (97 articles, 2 quicklinks, 42 diaries, 410 comments) on Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 12:16:39 AM
 

The U.S. Government declares war on the American people.

Finally your government has declared war against its people.

Let the true face of your government shine.

by Gallaher (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 762 comments) on Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 6:56:11 AM