By, Dan Scott

S.1959 will create a powerful “new government commission” that will investigate and report to the U.S. Government which Americans and organizations are “idealistically based toward Violence”, might or do support "Violent Radicalization; or Homegrown Terrorism.

S.1959 vaguely defines "homegrown terrorism" as "any planned act" that might use force to promote or accomplish a "political or social objective." No actual force need occur. The government need only allege that an individual or organization thought about using force. Any individual donating money to or attending a “planned” anti-war rally or political meeting could be charged with attempting to coerce the government or its people. Should this new “federal commission” become corrupt, it could be used to target and legally eliminate any person or group that supports a cause opposed by the government. The Nazis used similar commissions to crush political dissent and stop free association. Except this time it will not be the German SS beating civil liberties to the curb, it will be “American S.1959 Storm Troopers” attacking our democracy.

Senate bill 1959 begs the question “does the U.S. Government have reason to fear the American People?” S.1959 will create a powerful commission that can charge lawful U.S. Citizens with "Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism because they attended a planned lawful activity, even when no violence occurred. Similar laws were enacted by Hitler’s 1933 Discriminatory Decrees. Under S.1959, U.S. Citizens exercising their Constitutional Right to free association—and are then named by “the new commission” will like Citizens in Hitler’s Germany, start out guilty, when accused by the Government.

Should You Be On A Government Watch List?
Compare S.1959 provisions with the guidelines found in the “new Domestic Secure Flight Program” which you can access below: Read how the government can prohibit U.S. Citizens from domestic air travel.

Currently, International air carriers are responsible for checking passengers against “government watch lists.” That will change in 2008.

Subsequently in 2008, under the Federal Government’s “Secure Flight Program” the Government will begin not allowing U.S. Citizens on domestic flights until the government has prescreened a passenger’s information against “government Watch Lists.” On its face—that sounds great. Everyone wants safe air travel. The Government states, “Watch Lists” will be used to identify individuals who “may pose” a known or suspected threat to aviation or national security. But what does that mean? “May pose a suspected threat—to national security? U.S. Government officials have called protesters potential terrorists and a threat to national security. The words “May pose a suspected threat…” are so vague one can’t help wonder if that might” apply to individuals wanting to fly to an anti-war or environmental protest. You can read about the Government “Watch Lists” in the “Secure Flight Program” at:
www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/secureflight/index.shtm
The Government’s “new Domestic Secure Flight Program” never defines what “may pose” means when they state, “may pose a suspected threat to national security.”

So what happens after the Senate passes S.1959? Will the Domestic Secure Flight Program “Watch Lists” include lawful U.S. Citizens, protestors and union demonstrators “named” by “S.1959’s new Commission” as “may pose a suspected threat to national security?” Americans need to find out before S.1959 is passed by the Senate—what Constitutionally protected activities “may pose a suspected threat to National Security” according to the Federal “new Domestic Secure Flight Program.” Imagine thousands of lawful U.S. Activists being prohibited from traveling (flying) because they were “named” by a government commission operating under the "The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act" S.1959.

DHS TRIP provides a single portal for travelers to seek redress for adverse screening experiences and to resolve possible watch list misidentification issues. www.dhs.gov/trip