A look at the recent terrorist bill. I’m assuming you all know that the U.S. Congress just passed a bill to protect the rights of Americans and fight Terrorism, also known as the Homeland Security Act. Well, it passed in the Senate 98-1, with the sole dissentor being Russ Feingold, Wisonsin’s wonderful senator. A lot of the sections in the bill significantly affect our liberties and the government’s right to impinge upon them. Below are some excerpts from the Bill Summary that are…interesting.

(Sec. 106) Modifies provisions relating to presidential authority under the International Emergency Powers Act to: (1) authorize the President, when the United States is engaged in armed hostilities or has been attacked by a foreign country or foreign nationals, to confiscate any property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of a foreign person, organization, or country that he determines has planned, authorized, aided, or engaged in such hostilities or attacks(the rights to which shall vest in such agency or person as the President may designate); and (2) provide that, in any judicial review of a determination made under such provisions, if the determination was based on classified information such information may be submitted to the reviewing court ex parte and in camera.

So if the president thinks an imigrant looks funny, or if hesneezed and it sounded like “anthrax,” then he can have his life taken from him. Awesome.

(Sec. 210) Expands the scope of subpoenas for records of electronic communications to include the length and types of service utilized, temporarily assigned network addresses, and the means and source of payment (including any credit card or bank account number).

And now they have our credit card numbers. “Why does my bill show me buying 3,000 gross of cipro?”

(Sec. 217) Makes it lawful to intercept the wire or electronic communication of a computer trespasser in certain circumstances.

Hacking is illegal, unless we say it’s ok.

(Sec. 219) Amends rule 41 of the FRCrP to permit Federal magistrate judges in any district in which terrorism-related activities may have occurred to issue search warrants for searches within or outside the district.

Oh, that one’s great. I don’t know who did it so I’ll just search everyone in a 5 block radius until we get this figured out. Hey! That guy’s skin is brown! Get him!

(Sec. 412) Provides for mandatory detention until removal from the United States (regardless of any relief from removal) of an alien certified by the Attorney General as a suspected terrorist or threat to national security. Requires release of such alien after seven days if removal proceedings have not commenced, or the alien has not been charged with a criminal offense. Authorizes detention for additional periods of up to six months of an alien not likely to be deported in the reasonably foreseeable future only if release will threaten U.S. national security or the safety of the community or any person. Limits judicial review to habeas corpus proceedings in the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, or any district court with jurisdiction to entertain a habeas corpus petition. Restricts to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia the right of appeal of any final order by a circuit or district judge.

Now the gov’t can keep people with or without a valid visa for at least 7 days without any reason and up to six months if the person isn’t going to be deported. Yes, the courts can repeal, but do you think they will? Honestly? And how long will that take?

(Sec. 1002) Expresses the sense of Congress condemning acts of violence or discrimination against any American, including Sikh-Americans. Calls upon local and Federal law enforcement authorities to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law all those who commit crimes.

Okay, we will even condemn any discrimination against Afghans in the US. But keep in mind, they are an afterthought.

Those are just the highlights. I suggest you read the whole thing for yourself. It is good to know the kind of liberties we are taking away in order to protect the ones we have.