[MD] House Passes Thought Crime Prevention Bill

[Krimel at Krimel.com]

[Marsha]
> The Constitution does not allow the government to arrest people for>
thought crimes

Craig
The definitions in the bill specify `violent radicalization' & define
terrorism
as involving 'force or violence'.  These are not 'thought crimes'. 

Krimel
>From the definition section of the bill:

`(2) VIOLENT RADICALIZATION- The term `violent radicalization' means the
process of adopting or promoting an extremist belief system for the purpose
of facilitating ideologically based violence to advance political,
religious, or social change.

`(3) HOMEGROWN TERRORISM- The term `homegrown terrorism' means the use,
planned use, or threatened use, of force or violence by a group or
individual born, raised, or based and operating primarily within the United
States or any possession of the United States to intimidate or coerce the
United States government, the civilian population of the United States, or
any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.

`(4) IDEOLOGICALLY BASED VIOLENCE- The term `ideologically based violence'
means the use, planned use, or threatened use of force or violence by a
group or individual to promote the group or individual's political,
religious, or social beliefs.

___________________

Adopting or promoting an extremist belief system?

planned use, or threatened use, of force or violence by a group or
individual... to advance political, religious, or social change?

planned use, or threatened use of force or violence by a group or individual
to promote the group or individual's political, religious, or social
beliefs?

It looks like all they are doing is forming a commission to conduct a study.
But the definitions make it sound like they want to study the Neo-cons and
religious right, huh?