I'm sorry for such a dramatic title, and this topic was already addressed ably in this diary...
http://www.dailykos.com/...
...but I don't think this new executive order can receive too much attention, because it effectively destroys the First Amendment and renders the U.S. every bit the police state the USSR was. American citizens seem to be, sadly, only spared by the "benevolence" of Bush and his successors in the presidency. To the delight of Samuel Alito and many others, the true power of the Unitary Executive might have finally been achieved.
If you speak out against the Iraq War, your freedom and your property are now at risk: no trial, no recourse. At least that's what I think it means. Take a look below the fold.
Here's a portion of the Executive Order (link to full version, which is pretty brief) issued yesterday (July 17, 2007) entitled "Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq:"
Section 1. (a) Except to the extent provided in section 203(b)(1), (3), and (4) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(1), (3), and (4)), or in regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this order, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the date of this order, all property and interests in property of the following persons, that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of United States persons, are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in: any person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense:
(i) to have committed, or to pose a significant risk of committing, an act or acts of violence that have the purpose or effect of:
(A) threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government of Iraq; or
(B) undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq or to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people;
(ii) to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, logistical, or technical support for, or goods or services in support of, such an act or acts of violence or any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order; or
(iii) to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order.
The highlighted subsection is the most troubling, I think. And this is directed at the American people, not the insurgents in Iraq. I admit, I don't totally know what the Executive Order means, but it scares the shit out of me. Is it strictly about abetting violence, or free speech?
If the federal government can imprison and seize the property and assets of anyone or organization who dares to even criticize (if it can be defined as "undermining" the Iraq War effort), does the First Amendment even exist any more? Does this new EO apply to the 52 senators who voted for cloture this morning? Or all the various editorial writers who have called for withdrawals or dramatic changes in the war policy?
Somebody please help me understand the ramifications of this seemingly awesome power that now lies with the POTUS.