On October 23, the U.S. House of Representatives has quietly passed the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism (read Thought Crime) Prevention Act of 2007. The language in this bill is so vague it could mean anything. It could therefore be tailored to attack any group opposing national and international policies of the government.
Unfortunately this bill is likely to pass and be signed into law as it purports to be part of the response to 9/11 and the global war on terror. If this legislation becomes law, which is virtually certain, any dissenting anti-government action or opinion may henceforth be called "violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism" with stiff penalties for anyone convicted. In short dissent will be relabeled "homegrown terrorism."
In an America with a full respect for the Bill of Rights, there would be no Patriot Act, no secret searches, no spying on telecommunications without a warrant. There would be no torture in America’s "terrorist" dungeons.
The Bill of Rights is a major part of the "American way of life." America's civic holidays -- the Birthdays of Washington, Lincoln, and King, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving Day -- all remind us of the special contributions and sacrifices made by our forefathers and leaders to preserve, protect, and extend our freedoms. Each of these civic holidays exists because someone cared enough to fight and die for our rights -- the rights contained in the Bill of Rights.
If the Bill of Rights is to regain its meaning, we must rededicate ourselves to the principles it asserts and be mindful that a government powerful enough to give us all we want is powerful enough to take away everything we have.
Let's celebrate December 15 as Bill of Rights Day, and declare our support for all of the Bill of Rights for all citizens. We owe it to our forefathers, and we owe it to our kids.
The Bill of Rights includes these Amendments:
Amendment 1- Freedom of speech, press and religion.
Amendment 2 - The right to bear arms.
Amendment 3- Protection of homeowners from quartering troops, except during war.
Amendment 4 - Rights and protections against unreasonable search and seizure.
Amendment 5 - Rights of due process of law, protection against double jeopardy, self incrimination.
Amendment 6 - Rights of a speedy trial by jury of peers and rights of accused.
Amendment 7 - Rights to trial by jury in civil cases.
Amendment 8 - Protection from cruel and unusual punishment, excessive bail.
Amendment 9 - Protection of rights not specified in the Bill of Rights.
Amendment 10 - States rights, power of the states.
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