fireinme
01-19-2008, 11:04 AM
January 18, 2008
Dear ------,
Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding H.R. 1955, the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007. Hearing from the people of northeast and central Pennsylvania is an integral part of my job in Congress. I appreciate you taking the time to contact my office.
I was proud to support the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives with overwhelming support, 404 to 6. This bipartisan legislation creates a National Commission to examine the causes of violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism and propose recommendations and legislative strategies for mitigating these threats. It also establishes a Center for Excellence for the Prevention of Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism that will study the social, criminal, political, psychological and economic roots of homegrown terrorism to provide further recommendations for actions to address these dangers. This legislation is awaiting action in the U.S. Senate.
This legislation does not interfere in any way with an individual's right to freedom of speech. Instead, this legislation allows us to understand how to prevent radical views from transitioning into violent acts. It will help us to create an environment that discourages the disillusionment and alienation that can lead to violence, which will keep us safe at home. I understand your concerns about the broad scope of the legislation, which is why I have attached information prepared by the House Homeland Security Committee that address many of the myths that surround the Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act.
Thank you again for contacting me. As always, please feel free to share your concerns with my office.
Myths vs. Facts
Myth: H.R. 1955 is a "thought crime" bill that attempts to legislate constitutionally-protected speech.
Fact: H.R. 1955 does NOT legislate thought or protected political expression and free speech. There are no provisions seeking to change the criminal code or set up a "Big Brother" regime to put Americans under surveillance.
Myth: H.R. 1955 criminalizes constitutionally-protected behavior such as political association.
Fact: H.R. 1955 does NOT criminalize behavior. The bill does not create any new crimes, criminal penalties, nor does it encourage the Commission to do so. On the contrary, H.R. 1955 requires the Department of Homeland Security, through its Privacy Office and Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, to create an auditing mechanism to ensure that any policy stemming from the actions of the Commission will not violate anyone's rights. The results of this audit will be included in the Commission's annual report to Congress.
Myth: H.R. 1955 discriminates against particular races, ethnicities and religions.
Fact: H.R. 1955 does NOT alienate any particular race, ethnicity or religious group. To the contrary, the bill includes a provision that states that "individuals prone to violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence span all races, ethnicities, and religious beliefs, and individuals should not be targeted based solely on race, ethnicity, or religion."
Myth: H.R. 1955 will lead to Internet censorship.
Fact: H.R. 1955 neither targets the Internet nor seeks to censor its usage. The Internet is a robust communications tool that can be used to educate, inspire, challenge, entertain, and stimulate intellectual curiosity and promote awareness and understanding across cultures and national borders. The protection of the Internet from government interference is in our national interest.
Myth: H.R. 1955 is unnecessary because the threat of violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism does not exist in the United States.
Fact: While it is true that European countries have experienced violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism at a greater proportion than the United States, we are not immune. The arrests of U.S. citizens who were plotting attacks against the Fort Dix military base in New Jersey and JFK airport in New York earlier this year remind us that the threat in this country is real. And we must never forget that the most deadly act of terrorism perpetrated on American soil prior to September 11, 2001 was committed by American citizen Timothy McVeigh, who was responsible for the death of over 180 people, including small children, in one day. These examples indicate that we need to be ahead of the curve. H.R. 1955 instructs our Government to reach out to other Nations to learn about how they have addressed violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism in their countries. And once again, it protects the liberties of Americans by requiring our Government to evaluate what other countries have done within our own Constitutional framework and system of safeguards and protections.
Sincerely,
Christopher P. Carney
Member of Congress
Dear ------,
Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding H.R. 1955, the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007. Hearing from the people of northeast and central Pennsylvania is an integral part of my job in Congress. I appreciate you taking the time to contact my office.
I was proud to support the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives with overwhelming support, 404 to 6. This bipartisan legislation creates a National Commission to examine the causes of violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism and propose recommendations and legislative strategies for mitigating these threats. It also establishes a Center for Excellence for the Prevention of Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism that will study the social, criminal, political, psychological and economic roots of homegrown terrorism to provide further recommendations for actions to address these dangers. This legislation is awaiting action in the U.S. Senate.
This legislation does not interfere in any way with an individual's right to freedom of speech. Instead, this legislation allows us to understand how to prevent radical views from transitioning into violent acts. It will help us to create an environment that discourages the disillusionment and alienation that can lead to violence, which will keep us safe at home. I understand your concerns about the broad scope of the legislation, which is why I have attached information prepared by the House Homeland Security Committee that address many of the myths that surround the Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act.
Thank you again for contacting me. As always, please feel free to share your concerns with my office.
Myths vs. Facts
Myth: H.R. 1955 is a "thought crime" bill that attempts to legislate constitutionally-protected speech.
Fact: H.R. 1955 does NOT legislate thought or protected political expression and free speech. There are no provisions seeking to change the criminal code or set up a "Big Brother" regime to put Americans under surveillance.
Myth: H.R. 1955 criminalizes constitutionally-protected behavior such as political association.
Fact: H.R. 1955 does NOT criminalize behavior. The bill does not create any new crimes, criminal penalties, nor does it encourage the Commission to do so. On the contrary, H.R. 1955 requires the Department of Homeland Security, through its Privacy Office and Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, to create an auditing mechanism to ensure that any policy stemming from the actions of the Commission will not violate anyone's rights. The results of this audit will be included in the Commission's annual report to Congress.
Myth: H.R. 1955 discriminates against particular races, ethnicities and religions.
Fact: H.R. 1955 does NOT alienate any particular race, ethnicity or religious group. To the contrary, the bill includes a provision that states that "individuals prone to violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence span all races, ethnicities, and religious beliefs, and individuals should not be targeted based solely on race, ethnicity, or religion."
Myth: H.R. 1955 will lead to Internet censorship.
Fact: H.R. 1955 neither targets the Internet nor seeks to censor its usage. The Internet is a robust communications tool that can be used to educate, inspire, challenge, entertain, and stimulate intellectual curiosity and promote awareness and understanding across cultures and national borders. The protection of the Internet from government interference is in our national interest.
Myth: H.R. 1955 is unnecessary because the threat of violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism does not exist in the United States.
Fact: While it is true that European countries have experienced violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism at a greater proportion than the United States, we are not immune. The arrests of U.S. citizens who were plotting attacks against the Fort Dix military base in New Jersey and JFK airport in New York earlier this year remind us that the threat in this country is real. And we must never forget that the most deadly act of terrorism perpetrated on American soil prior to September 11, 2001 was committed by American citizen Timothy McVeigh, who was responsible for the death of over 180 people, including small children, in one day. These examples indicate that we need to be ahead of the curve. H.R. 1955 instructs our Government to reach out to other Nations to learn about how they have addressed violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism in their countries. And once again, it protects the liberties of Americans by requiring our Government to evaluate what other countries have done within our own Constitutional framework and system of safeguards and protections.
Sincerely,
Christopher P. Carney
Member of Congress