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View Full Version : The Patriot Act Pact




Opiner
02-02-2008, 11:53 AM
SEC. 802. DEFINITION OF DOMESTIC TERRORISM.
.
.
(5) the term `domestic terrorism' means activities that--
``(A) involve acts dangerous to human life that are
a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or
of any State;
``(B) appear to be intended--
``(i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian
population;
``(ii) to influence the policy of a government
by intimidation or coercion; or
``(iii) to affect the conduct of a government
by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping;
and
``(C) occur primarily within the territorial
jurisdiction of the United States.''.

Section A is redefining terrorism as any criminal act. What really bothered me is the “appear to be intended” clause. I mean it is fine in casual talk we can say oh he seemed to have bad intentions but to actually put it on a legal paper gives the wrong signals. What is the explanation of the candidates of approving this act?

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=107_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ056.107
(http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=107_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ056.107)