And please remember: It is not only facts which are believed, but especially the image of credibility or non-credibility itself which “Sells“ the point being made. When we are believable in our manner, the facts will be “heard“ : When we say things which make us appear paranoid or pushy or otherwise lose our credibility, all the facts in the world will never convince anyone. Remember that!
c) This bill, like the Patriot Act and No Child Left Behind and many more, is disguised in the name of “good cause” like preventing terrorism, which many people will get behind and support. It’s a brainwash and it’s also very deceptive. The links below to articles about this bill will quickly convince the most staunch believer to rethink the “good cause“ targeted by this bill.
d) Please be sure to show the contents of the links which I will provide below, drawn from the ACLU’s and other websites, proving that it is not terrorists who are being targeted in the war on terror, but vocal citizens and groups subjected to racial/religious profiling under post-911 legislation. To bring this fact to light is terribly important for convincing these people that “Something’s fishy here” with this current bill.
e) Please understand how terribly important it is not only to study the links below, but to bring in print-outs for the public officials to see. You might even use a highlighter pen to underscore certain points being made in the various articles linked below, with legal analyses of the bill, etc. which will underscore your concerns. (You can choose your favorite articles below, or just print out a page or two of them to illustrate your point).
f) Please ask these officials to release public statements about the bill, to urge the Senate to vote “no” and (Very important!) to filibuster the bill.
SUGGESTED MATERIAL TO BRING WITH YOU TO THE MEETING OR TO EMAIL TO YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC OFFICIALS:
Full text of the bill:
“To Establish the National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism, and for other purposes.”
http://www.aclu.org/pdfs/tmcterrorismmemo.pdf
This is an actual declassified FBI “International Terrorism Matters” investigation of the Thomas Merton Center in Philadelphia for organizing an Iraq War peace rally. It contains the FBI’s official seal, is made out to the US Department of Justice and contains the statement “this document contains neither the opinions nor the recommendations of the FBI. It is for your use (US Dept of Justice) and any action deemed appropriate”.
Center for Constitutional Rights voices just a couple of concerns about the bill. They ask the question “what defines radical ideologies” and other matters indicating that they are worried about the broadly undefined terms in the bill, which will lead to inappropriate oppression of free speech. Michael Ratner said on KPFA Radio that the bill is “so broad” and used words to the effect that it can and will be misconstrued to suit any one particular agenda.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
