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Can I be called a Homegrown Terrorist?

29 November, 2007 by Matt Robison

According to a bill that just passed the House of Representatives, thanks to it’s vague language, I could legally be called a terrorist.

Here’s the definition in the bill of something termed “violent radicalization”:

The process of adapting or promoting an extremist belief system for the purpose of facilitating ideologically-based violence to advance political, religious, or social change.

Ideologically-based violence can be interpreted any number of ways. Is it intellectual violence to other ideologies? Physical violence to people with other ideologies? We just don’t know. It could easily be used to prosecute those who simply disagree with the government. This, coupled with the Patriot Act, could mean rough times.

As we’ve already seen in Alabama, it is possible for libertarians to be labeled as terrorists. Which is funny, because the libertarian ideology is based on the principle of non-aggression, and it’s government officials who act more like terrorists, especially in our actions abroad.

What’s really disturbing is the overwhelming majority who voted for the Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act. It passed with a vote of 400 to 6. I hope the Senate is a little more reasonable.

You can help them see reason (or, if that’s too hard, threaten them with your non-vote next time election time rolls around…but any kind of threat could be grounds to call you a terrorist under this new bill so…) by contacting your senator and telling them how unnecessary and ridiculous this bill is.

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3 Comments

  1. By jdavidb on 11.29.2007 at 15:31 (Reply)

    Don’t forget the time a Michigan school district called homeschoolers terrorists. Homeschoolers are libertarians on that one issue, at least (and most of us are libertarian on the rest of them, as well ;) ).

    1. By Matt Robison on 11.29.2007 at 18:38 (Reply)

      Oh yeah, I forgot about those dangerous kids with their well rounded educations.

      Honestly though, I can see how educated people can be considered terrorists by government. They are the greatest check on government power and tyranny.

  2. By COLLINS on 11.30.2007 at 07:46 (Reply)

    i guess there will be more wanted men other than osama

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