Patriot Act II

[Humming]

The Center for Public Integrity leaked documents a year ago concerning expanions of the Patriot Act. Here is the link:

http://www.publici.org/dtaweb/report.asp?ReportID=502&L1=10&L2=10&L3=0&L4=0&L5=0

If this Act were passed, it would most certainly be the beginning of the end.

[ August 29, 2004, 09:05 AM: Message edited by: Humming ]

[Rob P]

Hey Humming-are you only now seeing this?
That news release was from Feb, 2003-!!!
Better late than never I guess.
seeya
ROB

[Humming]

Yah, it's only recently been brought to my attention. I know that its old news.

But did you read the actual document, the "Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003"?

This would radically redefine the face of terrorism--altering which acts are considered terrorism, and how the guilty are to be found and dealt with.

This would be the very beginning of the totalitarian American state--the most efficient police state ever created.

I will present an analysis of the document here, because it is so important. This is absolutely the single most frightening government document I've read. If this gets through, the privacy and civil liberites aspects of the constitution will become virtually void.

For anyone who wants to read it for themselves, the official "NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION" draft which was leaked to the CPI can be downloaded here:

http://www.publicintegrity.org/dtaweb/downloads/Story_01_020703_Doc_1.pdf

Section 101: Individual Terrorists as Foreign Powers. This is a radical re-definition of the concept of "terrorist". Under this designation, anyone branded as a terrorist can be dealt with exactly as severely as any terrorist "foreign powers" such as the former Taliban govenment.

Section 102: Clandestine Intelligence Activities by Agent of a Foreign Power. Disallows "clandestine intelligence gathering activies on behalf of a foreign power" regardless of the legality of the activities. Under such a provision, unofficial news gathering would be an act of terrorism.

Section 103: Wartime authorities. "Wartime" authority (applicable to searches and surveillance of individuals) can now be defined without the actual declaration of War by Congress. Wartime authority can now be invoked "after Congress authorizes use of military force, or after the United States has suffered an attack creating a national emergency."

Section 104: Strengthening FISA's Presidential Authorization Exception. This would allow for surveillance of any and all communications--no longer just spoken communications--between "foreign powers", the definition which can now include individual terrorists.

Section 111: International Terrorist Organizations as Foreign Powers. Defines as "United States Person" as someone with marginally more rights than a "foreign power". However, "the existing definition of 'United States Person' in 50 U.S.C. 1801 categorically excludes a corporation or association which is a foreign power". In other words, anyone "associating" (an extremely loose word) with a "foreign power" will be themselves considered as one. "Thus, the normal authorization and extension periods for surveillance of international terrorist organizations would be up to a year, and corporations and associations which are international terrorist organizations would not be treated as United States persons under FISA."

Subtitle B, Section 121: Definition of terrorist activites. "The definition encompasses criminal acts of domestic and international terrorism as defined in 18 U.S.C. 2331, together with related preparatory, material support, and criminal activities."

Section 127: Autopsy Authority. One of the stranger provisions, this would require Federal autopsies for persons killed as a result of terrorist attacks. This is extremely frightening to anyone believing that sometimes deaths designated as "suicides" are not actually suicides. This is most relevant in the cases of mysterious death, such as that of microbiologist Don Wiley in the aftermath of the Anthrax attacks.

Section 201: Prohibition of Disclosure of Terrorism Investigation Detainee Information. Would block Freedom of Information Act requests for information regarding terrorist detainees.

Section 202: Distribution of "Worst Case Scenario" Information. Would exempt companies from releasing information about their use of "potentially dangerous chemicals" (including biological, chemical, and radiological materials).

Section 205: Exclusion of United States Security Requirements from Gross Income of Protected Officials. Would allow top-level government officials to keep their financial dealings secret, barring investigation into their financial dealings, under pain of terrorism.

Section 303: Establishment of Database to Fascilitate Investigation and Prevention of Terrorist Activities. Would establish DNA databases of suspected terrorists.

Section 313: Disclosure of Information. Would provide protection from liability for companies who voluntarily disclose customers' information regarding terrorist activities.

Section 322: Extradition Without Treaties and for Offences Not Covered by an Existing Treaty. Broadens Homeland Security's ability to extradite persons, and would allow Homeland Security to take individuals out of foeign countries.

Section 402: Providing Material Support for Terrorism. This is one of the most horrifying provisions of the Act. It reads, "this section amends the definition of 'international terrorism' to make it clear that it covers acts which by their nature appear to be intended for the stated purposes. Hence, there would be no requirement to show that the defendants actually had such an intent." So, an act of "international terrorism" could be designated without actually even having to show that the INTENT of the action was indeed one of terrorism. By this definition, literally any action could be designated as an act of "international terrorism".

Section 408: Postrelease Supervision of Terrorists. Creates the possibility of lifetime parole for a terrorist released from prison, for a long list of crimes.

Section 410: No Statute of Limitations for Terrorism Crimes. Another of the most disturbing provisions--essentially designates any crime as a terrorist crime by removing the statute of limitations.

Section 411: Penalties for terrorist murders. Expands the possibility of receiving the death penalty for terrorist crimes. This, in combination with Sect. 410 and Sect. 802 of the first Patriot Act, enables the death penalty for VIRTUALLY ANY CRIME.

Section 501: Expatriation of Terrorists. Would expatriate Americans attempting to gain dual-citizenship, or serving in foreign armies engaged in hostilites against the government. Becoming a member of or supporting a "terrorist organization" would result in expatriation.

Well, those are the highlights. Remembering what happened after 9-11, how the USA Patriot Act was passed 45 days afterwards largely without being read by the politicians who were radifying it, the possibility of this happening again in the wake of another massive terroist attack is very real. If this were passed, there would be no going back--we would be living in a totalitarian state.

To people who have looked into the official version of events of 9-11 and found them to be glaringly false, the possibility of another massive terrorist attack is inevitable, and the ensuing passage of this Act seems extremely likely.

I will let Alex Jones speak for me,

"Usually, corrupt governments allow their citizens lots of wonderful rights on paper, while carrying out their jackbooted oppression covertly. From snatch and grab operations to warantless searches, Patriot Act II is an Adolf Hitler wish list.

You can understand why President Bush, Dick Cheney and Dennis Hastert want to keep this legislation secret not just from Congress, but the American people as well. Bill Allison, Managing Editor of the Center for Public Integrity, the group that broke this story, stated on my radio show that it was obvious that they were just waiting for another terrorist attack to opportunistically get this new bill through. He then shocked me with an insightful comment about how the Federal government was crafting this so that they could go after the American people in general. He also agreed that the FBI has been quietly demonizing patriots and Christians and “those who carry around pocket Constitutions.”

I have produced two documentary films and written a book about what really happened on September 11th. The bottom line is this: the military-industrial complex carried the attacks out as a pretext for control. Anyone who doubts this just hasn’t looked at the mountains of hard evidence.

Of course, the current group of white collar criminals in the White House might not care that we’re finding out the details of their next phase. Because, after all, when smallpox gets released, or more buildings start blowing up, the President can stand up there at his lectern suppressing a smirk, squeeze out a tear or two, and tell us that “See I was right. I had to take away your rights to keep you safe. And now it’s your fault that all of these children are dead.” From that point on, anyone who criticizes tyranny will be shouted down by the paid talking head government mouthpieces in the mainstream media.

You have to admit, it’s a beautiful script. Unfortunately, it’s being played out in the real world. If we don’t get the word out that government is using terror to control our lives while doing nothing to stop the terrorists, we will deserve what we get - tyranny. But our children won’t deserve it."

[ August 29, 2004, 09:59 AM: Message edited by: Humming ]

[Humming]

Bizump.

I talked to one of my most respected professors and she told me what I already knew--that this administration appears to be making a right-wing coup on the part of the Christian fundamentalists.

Jerry Falwell made a pamphlet in the 80's called, "Nuclear War and the Second Coming of Christ".

:eek:

[Rob P]

Hi Humming...
Amazing isn't it??!!!
If you're interested,
check out this website:
www.buzzflash.com (http://www.buzzflash.com)
It is one of the best sources of
news from around the country, and around the world,
especially stories the mainstream media tries to bury
so the sheep can't get it...
Helps to keep open the doors of perception.
seeya
Rob

[Lowlight]

hey humming that is a somewhat worrying post. we need to spread the world, that way maybe less people will fall for it, so i have been forwarding it to people.

"incite the fight" as the man says,

Lowlight

[Humming]

Absolutely. If this legislation were to be passed, we would no longer be able to post freely on this board, as it would most certainly be pegged for surveillance.

I mean, we could continue post freely, but with the knowledge that any day we might be paid a visit by men in black suits coming to escort us to prison or interrogation chambers....

Not a pleasant thought.

If it comes to a vote and people are oblivious as to the implications, it would no doubt be passed with little comment until people will start disappearing. This is why I posted here, exactly as you said, so that people will read the document and be aware of what it would mean.