Thought Crime Bill Ignorance

Although I’ve not done a thorough search on the thought crime bill – S.1959 (full text here) in the past couple of days, the closest thing so far to mainstream media coverage is Wednesday’s story in Slate by Dahlia Lithwick.

If this is what we can expect if/when the rest of them get around to it, we’re better off with spreading the word through blogs.

“…you'll be delighted to learn that the legislation has, at least, the virtue of fighting imaginary problems with pretend solutions. After seven long years of government solutions far worse than the problems they purport to cure, perhaps that's a step in the right direction.”

Ms. Lithwick continues her piece with a tour of online response to the bill (no blogs are included) in a lofty attitude of superior knowledge dismissing, in her conclusion, the concern of those who oppose S.1959 with a bit of faux self-deprecation and cavalier disregard for the bill’s potential outcome.

“Maybe I'm being shortsighted, but then the Democrats in Congress have taught me to keep my expectations very low. Today, therefore, I am profoundly grateful that instead of criminalizing protected speech outright, Democrats merely form a commission that will do a study, which will in turn christen a Drive-Thru Center for Excellence, where they will someday consider criminalizing protected free speech.”

Perhaps Ms. Lithwick doesn’t recall (or know?) that in the 1950s, Senator McCarthy and his HUAC counterparts didn’t need legislation to ruin thousands of lives and careers with nothing more than insinuations that had no basis in fact. Few recovered from those public attacks.

The tone throughout her story lulls readers into believing S.1959 is a piece of nonsense legislation that can be ignored and in that, she is as dangerous to our liberties as the bill itself.

[At The Elder Storytelling Place today, Susan Gulliford is perplexed about what to do with Photographic Remains.]

Comments

[Darlene]

Just when you thought it couldn't get worse, it does. I sent a copy of the bill to my 40 something daughter. She read it and wrote back, "Holy crap! Does this bill say what I think it does?"

Dahlia Lithwick should read the bill more carefully. If my daughter can spot the danger she certainly should be able to.

[Sharry]

I took a copy of this bill to a good friend who teaches government in our local high school and has a law degree. A quick review convinced him that this was certainly something to concerned about.

I've called some offices of members of the Homeland Security committee where this bill is currently being considered. I also sent some e-mails and faxes. I found the written comments felt like they carried more weight. When I talked to a staff member I had the sense that my reasons for opposition would never make it back to the senator.

[Rain]

and later they will all say-- we didn't know. You wonder whose side they are on :(

[Kay Dennison]

I think a lot of people aren't going to "get it". Frankly, with the way they've spoon-fed and watered down education in the past 30 or so years, I'm not surprised that that some people are in denial.

[Rabon]

I’ve sent Naomi Wolf’s video a number of places and have posted her “Ten Steps To Close Down an Open Society” on my site. I defy anyone who reads “Ten Steps” to dismiss her accurate and scary observations as nonsense. I just want to thank you, Ronni, for the way in which you are so knowledgeably and courageously engaged.

[Diane]

Ronni,

I know that you have a listing of not only various posts on this issue along with a couple of the mainstream media's mention of the bill on your right side bar, but I have a hunch a number of bloggers have also picked up on this atrocity. I posted on it a few weeks ago (which reminds me, it's time for an update). Perhaps a quick google might give you more ammo.

[Suzann]

Thank you Ronni. I sent Naomi's video to a ton of people and then contacted my Senators. I will keep working - this is atrocious - thank you for keeping this in front of us.

[Terri]

Well....here's my status report....scary thought it might be.
I emailed both Sen. Martinez and Sen. Nelson in Florida the other day. NO response back.
I also emailed our Rep in this District....this is what I received:

Thank you for taking the time to e-mail me. Unfortunately, I was unable to determine exactly which bill you were referencing. I am eager to address any concerns you may have, and would be grateful if you could visit my website again to resend your message.

Ooooooookay! I've sent it back....but yoohoo! SHE voted for THIS bill and now doesn't know WHAT I'm talking about? Yup, damn scary! Let's see what she says now. IF she replies back.

[joared]

More good news from the West Coast where my local So. Cal. bi-weekly newspaper printed my letter as a special "Opinion" piece they titled "Take a stand against S1959."

No word yet from my House Rep. who voted for their version of the bill, or either of my two Senators. Still waiting to see if either of the other two newspapers to whom I wrote letters will address the issue, including the L.A. Times.

All I can say to anyone reading this post and comment is, if you haven't yet taken some action to contact your Representatives, Senators and media, now is the time! One person can work toward making a difference -- especially when one person becomes many.

[Terri]

Bravo to you, Joared! Well done. As for me, I'm still waiting to hear from any of the three I contacted.