Thought Police II: Depending On What You Think, You May Soon Be A Criminal

Updated: Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2008, 12:13 am -- A member of the Delaware News-Journal community advisory board looks at this legislation and asks just exactly who is extreme enough to look like a terrorist? His specific observation: "The Founding Fathers and civil rights activists are not generally regarded as terrorists. But a bill was recently passed by the House, and is now being considered by the Senate, to create a commission that would most likely label these heroes of freedom "homegrown terrorists" and eliminate the perceived threat."

He's got that right.

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"It looks like the term 'thought police' just might take on a whole new and real meaning. This depends on what happens in the U.S. Senate after receiving House bill H.R. 1955: Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007. This act (now S-1959 – Senate version) is now being considered by Senate committees and, if passed by the Senate and signed by the president, will become law. Common sense would indicate that something this vague and dangerous would not make it out of committee, but considering that the House passed it on October 23 with 404 ayes, 6 nays, and 22 present/not voting, I’m not holding my breath."

Worth reading.