The PATRIOT Act, the much reviled law that was rammed through after 9/11, has been the source of much angst in the progressive community since it passed. Most of us believe it was a huge overreach that violated liberties and common sense.
For example, here is the definition of Domestic Terrorism that it amended (from 18 USC 2331)
(5) the term “domestic terrorism” means activities that—
(A) involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State;
(B) appear to be intended—
(i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;
(ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or
(iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and
(C) occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States.
Hmm, that sounds so eerily familiar! Let's parse that definition a little bit.
"acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State;"
Hmm, isn't this government shutdown and the threatened default on the debt limit a violation of the constitution? The shutdown has certainly proven to be dangerous, especially the food supplements that are being cut off and food inspections that are stopping, not to mention the intelligence organizations that are no longer on the job protecting us.
Ah, I'm just over-reacting, right? Let's look at the second part again...
(B) appear to be intended—
(i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;
(ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or
(iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and
Oh no, that's a slam dunk. The government shutdown and possible default on the debt are both very clearly intended to (B)(ii) influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion. Heck, they're trying to (B)(i) coerce a civilian population and (B)(iii) affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction. What can be more massively destructive to the economy than shutting the government and undermining global currencies?
The more I think about it, the more angry I get and the more certain I am that the GOP radicals' actions meet the definition of domestic terrorism to a T.
So, let me throw out this quick idea on this saucy and sassy short diary.... A new option for the executive... If the Speaker of the House refuses to bring a clean bill up to reopen the government and raise the debt limit, it's time for the Justice Department to step in and throw his ass in jail. And if the next speaker does the same, arrest her or him too. And so on.
Let's see how patriotic these Tea Party House folks are when we use the PATRIOT act to stop them from destroying the Union.