Fang-Face writes “Nat Hentoff had another commentary on the PATRIOT Act revision movement at the First Amendment Center. The most telling portion of it is:
A summary of this proposed law explains: “The USA Patriot Act provided a new definition for domestic terrorism, covering any act dangerous to human life that is a violation of any federal or state criminal law, including misdemeanors. This could be broadly interpreted to designate typical political protesters engaged in civil disobedience as ‘terrorists.'”
This loose language should be rewritten, says Mr. Lilienthal, “to ensure political activists exercising their legitimate First Amendment rights cannot be targeted by overzealous bureaucrats or a future
administration. That was something that responsible members of Congress never intended when they passed the Patriot Act in 2001.”
Of course, I’m sure someone will be happy to point out that Mr. Lilienthal’s political leanings are in the wrong direction.“
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