http://fallin.house.gov/contact.shtml

I just learned that my representative, Mary Fallin, whom I helped elect in 2006, was among those in the House who voted for the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act. So, I’ve just contacted her about it:

“Rep. Fallin, when I helped to elect you, I expected you to be faithful to your oath to uphold the constitution of the United States of America. Now, I learn that you were among those who voted in favor of the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007.

 

This act, if passed by the senate, will enable, not only the Bush administration, but any future administration to label any American citizen a “homegrown terrorist” or “enemy combatant” simply for holding or expressing beliefs the government deems to be included in the vague definitions this act constitutes as “homegrown terrorism.”

 

Especially troubling is the wording “use, planned use, or threatened use, of force or violence…”

 

 The way this is worded, it implies the government considers “force” to be something different and apart from “violence.”

 

As vague as this definition is, the President is given a virtual blank check in interpreting what he considers to be “force.” This can be construed to include “forcing” an issue before congress for debate, “forcing” the government to live up to the constitution, or speaking out against the government “forcefully,” for example.

 

Since the word “force” has been separated from the word “violence,” this implies that “force” needn’t be actual physical violence.

 

Even more threatening to our freedoms is the definition of “Ideologically Based Violence,” which extends this vague definition of “force” to include the political, religious or social beliefs of any individual or group.

 

In other words, Rep. Fallin, this act that you have voted for will make it possible for whomever is in charge of our government, either now or in the future, to selectively decide that some individuals’ or groups’ political, religious or social speech or activities, including their constitutionally protected free assembly and protest against our government, constitutes sufficient “force” to make said individuals or groups guilty of “ideologically based violence.”

 

I hope that you will reconsider your vote and appropriately act to stop this bill from being passed in the senate, as well. I know you have no jurisdiction in the senate and cannot vote on the bill again, but you do have the ability to influence your colleagues in the senate to refrain from passing this incredible infringement upon the rights and liberties of all Americans for generations to come.

Thank you for your patience and for reading this.”

 Gary