Incumbent Senators want to create another House Un-American Activities Committee

Source: RAD Films at http://www.radfilms.com/huac.htm

by Robert L. Hanafin, Major, U.S. Air Force-Retired  

“Legislative investigation designed and often exercised for the achievement of high ends, has too frequently been used by many as a means for effecting the disgrace and degradation of private persons. Unscrupulous demagogues have used the power to investigate as tyrants of an earlier day used the Bill of Attainder.”                                                                                               

John F. Kennedy, 1960

National Committee to Abolish HUAC, Let's speak out about the House Un-American Activities Committee, Los Angeles: no date.SOURCE: the Wilcox Collection of Contemporary Political Movements.KENNETH SPENCER RESEARCH LIBRARY, Kansas University

Organized in Los Angeles in the late 1950s, members of the National Committee to Abolish HUAC worked to combat the House Committee on Un-American Activities. After political pressure, exposed excesses of intelligence collection on American citizens during the Vietnam War, and the reorganization of the House of Representatives, the House committee was abolished, like the institution of Slavery before it, in 1975.

To remind WE THE PEOPLE of the excesses committed in the name of the War on Communism (Terror), the first film by a private citizen that criticizes this US government sponsored committee that tread on the U.S. Constitution has now gone public…

     It includes 1930s footage of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) Chairman Martin Dies (Democrat) of Texas attacking "subversives" in labor unions (you see suppression of dissent was and is still not a Republican monopoly). The Hollywood Witch Hunts; the Cold War black listings; and the 1960 San Francisco hearings where police turned fire hoses on student protestors inside the City Hall are all real examples exposing members of Congress out of control and touch with reality.    

The film contains an analysis of how the HUAC subpoened (then intimidated); the newsfilms of the City Hall protests from TV stations KRON & KPIX. These 20th century  Neo-Conservatives misused and abused federal facilities to edit "Operation Abolition," a falsified film attacking HUAC'S critics; thousands of copies of which were then sold for private profit throughout the USA, including to the Armed Forces. 

Incumbent Senators Up for Re-Election in 2008 want to create another House Un-American Activities Committee by Robert L. Hanafin, Major, U.S.  Air Force-Retired

The abolished House Un-American Activities Committee IS RELEVANT TO this current legislation pending in the U.S. Congress today, because the bill tries to really recreate the abolished HUAC by changing its name to a National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Ideologically Based Violence.

One more time for clarity, a Bill of Attainder is a ‘legislative act’ that declares named person(s) American citizens, Legal Immigrants, and others guilty of a crime, particularly treason, without due process or trial. The NEOCONS have successfully done this at GITMO to ‘terrorist,’ but expanding that concept onto WE THE PEOPLE is not only a lame NEOCON partisan act of frustration for not being able to distance themselves from  ‘their responsibility’ for the Iraq War, but Unconstitutional. Such bills are prohibited by Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution. I claim no expertise on Consitutional Law, but I can ‘read’ between the lines of law books.

http://dictionary.law.com/default2.asp?selected=68&bold=%7C%7C%7C%7C

The closest definition I found that matches what might have been on President Kennedy’s mind is “a legislative act that singles out an individual or group for punishment without a trial. The Constitution of the United States, Article I, Section 9, paragraph 3 states that: No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law will be passed.

This Bill of Attainder Clause was intended by our Founding Fathers not as a narrow, technical (and therefore soon to be outmoded) prohibition, but rather as an implementation of the separation of powers, (a reality direly lacking in Washington today) a general safeguard against legislative exercise of the judicial function or more simply – trial by legislature."  U.S. v. Brown, 381 U.S. 437, 440 (1965).       Put another way, this Bill of Attainder Clause was intended to prevent U.S. Senators or Representatives in the House from doing what Senator Susan Collins of Maine and Norm Coleman of Minnesota are trying to do. These clauses of the Constitution are not broad and general as the Due Process Clause, but written in precise legal terms that had a meaning under English law at the time the Constitution was adopted.  A bill of attainder was a legislative act that singled out one or more persons and imposed punishment on them, without benefit of (due process) or trial.  Such actions were regarded as odious (and sinful) by the framers of the Constitution, because it was the traditional role of a court, judging an individual case, to impose punishment."  William H. Rehnquist, The Supreme Court, page 166. Bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, and laws impairing the obligations of contracts, are contrary to the first principles of the social compact, and to every principle of sound legislation. … The sober people of America are weary of the fluctuating policy that has directed the public councils.  They have seen with regret and indignation that sudden changes and legislative interferences, in cases affecting personal rights, become jobs in the hands of enterprising and influential speculators, and snares to the more-industrious and less-informed part of the community."  James Madison, Federalist Number 44, 1788. 

Supreme Court cases clarifying the Bill of Attainder clause include:

U.S. v. Brown, 381 U.S. 437 (1965).

Nixon v. Administrator of General Services, 433 U.S.425 (1977).

Selective Service Administration v. Minnesota PIRG, 468 U.S. 841 (1984).

(Minnesota PRIG-Minnesota Public Interests Research Group)

These are the Constitutional concerns that I, and you also should, share with Presidents Madison, Kennedy, and Justice of the Supreme Court William Rehnquist when it comes to what both Republican Senators Susan Collins (Maine) and Norm Coleman are trying to do. (Minnesota is one state where an Ideological group labeled Un-American has already been down this route with the Supreme Court and won, Senator Coleman’s challenger in 2008 please take note)

Now that we have my somewhat boring introduction out of the way, let us get into what I pray will be the interesting part of my commentary and concerns.

   Refusing to leave the 19th and 20th Centuries behind and compete ‘on merit’ for re-election in the 21st Century, two members of the U.S. Senate are so desperate to stay in power that they want to recreate the venue that gave us the infamous Senator Joseph McCarthy. These two Senators seriously want to bring back that Communist Witch Hunting fiasco commonly (as it should be) known as the Congressional House Un-American Activities Committee. Leave such a disgrace back in the 19th and 20th Centuries where it belongs, and by all means freedom loving Americans within their states need to check out who their opponents are in the 2008 election. 

Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine vs. Democrat Tom Allen.

http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.asp?ID=MES2&Cycle=2008

Republican Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota vs. Democrat Al Franken, Michael V. Ciresi, Jim Cohen,  Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer,  Donald E. Stephan
http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.asp?ID=MNS1&Cycle=2008
      Introducing or sponsoring this bill reflects an ignorance of history on the part of these Senators and anyother co-sponsors that sign on, that far exceeds failing to learn the lessons of Vietnam and continuing to support ‘their’ President in his Mistake in the Middle East – Iraq. This would be funny IF it was only a diversion from THE FACT that those running for re-election have been half hearted rubber-stamps, but RUBBER STAMPS nevertheless, for President Bush’s failures in Iraq.   

     Senator Susan Collins of Maine, and Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota, both up for re-election during ‘the Presidential’ Election of 2008, have not only Democrats, but also Independents running against them. Senators Collins and Coleman are thus far the only two Senators to introduce and sponsor a bill in the U.S. Senate that would recreate this monstrosity of the McCarthy Era.

Do not believe their claim at the end of their IDEA that our civil rights and civil liberties will be protected under ‘their’ NEOCON supporting vision of America. Truth be told, I would not be able to criticize them or policies of our government that I voted for and disagree with. I do not believe it for a second that what they propose would not be abused given the Republicans record of accomplishment on civil and human rights. One only needs look as far as Qitmo, Cuba to see where ‘lies’ Republican credibility when it comes to civil liberties or human rights.       

Before we discuss ‘their vision of America,’ let us take a look at what George Washington University has to say about what such a monstrosity looks like in ACTION, then let us digest what Collins and Coleman want to do in the 21st Century, since pulling the September 11th propaganda card no longer works in their favor.  

(PLEASE PAY ATTENTION, BECAUSE THERE IS A TRIVIA QUIZ AT THE END OF MY OPINION PIECE – OK)

“Through its power to subpoena witnesses and hold people in contempt of Congress, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) often pressured and badgered witnesses to surrender names and other information that could lead to the apprehension of ‘alleged’ Communists and Communist sympathizers.”

Source: George Washington University Eleanor Roosevelt papers: http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/teachinger/glossary/huac.cfm

Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and Military

Make no bones about it, the hidden agenda of the HUAC was exactly as this current 21st Century version intends to do during another increasingly unpopular war – attempt to legitimize and legalize at Central Government level the ability to suppress political, ethical, religious, spiritual, and moral dissent by American citizens. The right to dissent our Government’s WRONG foreign policy decisions is not only granted by the U.S. Constitution, but it is protected by it.

As a Veteran of the Vietnam and Gulf War, I may or may not have agreed with ‘these guys and gals’ below, I certainly did not march with them nor was a member during the late 1960s/early 1970s, but I am among those who are grateful to them for keeping my name of the Wall that supposedly heals. I would lay down my life to guarantee that their rights under the Constitution and Bill of Rights were protected from being labeled ideologically based,  violent radical, homegrown terrorist back in the day, if I were not too busy doing so anyway in the Army at the Thank God end of Vietnam.  As a Gulf War Vet, I am not going to stand by ‘silently’ as those who question, let alone oppose, the Iraq War are given these vague labels that ‘lie’ in this proposed legislation that IS A LIE in a vain attempt by our government, failing in its mistake in the Middle East, to silence them! 

Vietnam Vets March for Peace, October 14,

1972, San Francisco, CA

SOURCE: VVAW Archives

One only needs substitute Veterans Against the War, Liberal, Democrat, Muslim, Immigrant or whoever disagrees with the policies of the Republican Party, and then uses their Freedom of Speech to voice their opposition to excesses of that government to be labeled Un-American or worse yet a Homegrown Terrorists.

I have but two honest questions for both Senators Collins and Coleman, before strongly recommending that they need to be replaced by whoever in Maine and Minnesota is running against them, and that is where exactly does Rolling Thunder, the so-called Veterans Motorcycle gang fit in your definition of Violent Radicals? Just look at them, they are a radical, wannabe Nationalist Para-Military organization that can be hostile, and I have the photos to prove it. Posing as a Veterans’ Organization with NEOCON approval.

In my definition, as a student of  Military History, any organization that deems it can provide security to a member of our President’s cabinet, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, without the authority from WE THE PEOPLE to do so IS a Para-Military group, blessed by a NEOCON run government. Are they to be prosecuted for trying to provide 'unauthorized security' for Executive Branch Cabinet members, because most American people are ignorant of basic civics lessons on how our government is suppose to work?

What is the difference between Rolling Thunder providing security for Rumsfeld and Blackwater providing security for State Department? It is obviously transparent, and THAT is what is WRONG with a Neo-Fascists leaning government be it in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Cuba, China, Southeast Asian, or the good ole U.S. of A.

Rolling Thunder I can live with IF they stop providing unauthorized ‘security’ to U.S. Government Military Officials (who just happen to be members of the Republican Party.  However, one group that this Patriot finds excessively distasteful are the Minutemen Militia that patrolled (I hope and pray the Federal government has stopped this unauthorized Para-Military group of ‘potential’ Home-Grown Terrorists from patrolling the Mexican border before we end up in another War with Mexico) the Mexican border instead of National Guard units from those states bordering Mexico?

This unauthorized Para-Military organization that would have been outlawed during the Clinton administration patrolled the Mexican border at will, both the Republican Party, Congress and this administration conveniently looked the other way. That is about as much credibility Republicans have in daring to bring up such a House of Un-American Activities bill.

What really happens is that, “Congressional Committee members often branded witnesses as "red" if they refused to comply or hesitated in answering committee questions (even using their 5th Amendment Rights under the U.S. Constitution.) In perhaps its most ‘infamous investigation,’ HUAC-member Richard Nixon, after weeks of dramatic hearings, was, at the final hour, able to reveal that Alger Hiss, a former State Department official, had lied to them about having "ever been a Communist." More importantly, however, the questioning style and examination techniques employed by (primarily Republicans) on the HUAC served as the model upon which Senator Joseph McCarthy would conduct his investigative hearings in the early 1950s. Following Senator McCarthy's censure, however, and his subsequent departure from the Senate, the American public grew increasingly wary of the "redbaiting" techniques employed by HUAC and others. The work of the committee continued to decline in importance throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s until the committee itself was renamed the House Internal Security Committee in 1969, prefiguring its eventual abolition in 1975.”

Source: George Washington University Eleanor Roosevelt papers: http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/teachinger/glossary/huac.cfm

Such an Un-American concept as proposed by Senators Collins and Coleman was abolished in 1975, contact your Senators and demand it remain, like the Institution of Slavery, ABOLISHED! That in fact is the Republican thing to do.  

Compare what Senator Susan Collins and Norm Coleman ‘want to do’ to what has been done before and abolished for justified cause, then if you are a resident of Maine or Minnesota, Google the name of the Independent candidates running against them. If you want a return to the witch hunts of the McCarthy Era then go ahead and support this legislation.

If you prefer to seriously ensure that activities to prevent ideologically based violence (whatever that means) and homegrown terrorism do not violate YOUR constitutional rights, civil rights, and civil liberties, the best way to do that is a Constitutional Amendment. One that cites and permanently abolishes the ill conceived and partisan politically motivated House of Un-American Activities Committee concept or anything vaguely reminding those of us remaining in the nation who can still think for ourselves, that such a Committee can be abusive. 

Be mindful that such a predatory concept can be abused by the two party political system to ‘stay in power’ preventing the natural evolution of a third party movement.  

Is it any wonder that Independents are running against these people, and PLEASE monitor and match exactly who else joins THEM in this charade, in this ‘déjà vu travesty’ from the past.  

This is what Senators Collins and Coleman say their version of the House Un-American Activities would look like in S.1959 Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 (Introduced in Senate) `SEC. 899C. NATIONAL COMMISSION ON THE PREVENTION OF VIOLENT RADICALIZATION AND IDEOLOGICALLY BASED VIOLENCE. 

`(a) Establishment- within the legislative branch of the Government the National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism. (What exactly makes this different from the excesses of the House Un-American Activities Commission (excuse me Committee?).

`(b) Purposes:

`(1) Examine and report upon the facts and causes of violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence in the United States, including United States (something is missing here could it be U.S. Citizen’s) connections to non-United States persons and networks, violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence in prison, individual or `lone wolf' violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence, and other faces of the phenomena of violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence that the Commission considers important.

 (I strongly believe and recommend that these controversial terms such as ideologically based, and U.S. Citizen Connections with the foreign-born (does that mean legal as well as illegal immigrants) needs to be clarified and explained to WE THE PEOPLE before any Senator support this. Most importantly WE THE PEOPLE need to VOTE on this as an Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is in order. You know something like the Flag Amendment, but to ensure that this 21st Century version of the House Un-American Activies Committee does not go too far RIGHT into FACISM!)

`(2) The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Department of State, and other Federal departments (TRANSLATION: the Department of Defense, CIA, and FBI thought these Republicans do not want to be too bold or stupid about enhancing their ability to Spy on Americans) and agencies, as appropriate, conduct a survey of methodologies implemented by foreign nations to prevent violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism in their respective nations.

`(3) reviewing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of—

 `(A) the Center of Excellence established or designated, and other academic work, as appropriate; (This part I SERIOUSLY DO NOT LIKE. It is where both the NEOCON run American Enterprise Institute (AEI), Halliburton, and Blackwater get to do IN AMERICA what they have been doing in Iraqinam. How much you want to bet that the American Enterprise Institute is on their minds as the Joseph Goebbels – Center of Excellence.”) `(B) Federal, State, local, or tribal government studies of, reviews of, and experiences with violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence; and (Now this is the part of THEIR SCHEME I could almost go for. They are going to ALLOW Native Americans (that is what tribal government really means) to discuss their real feelings on “violent radicalization, terrorism, and especially ideologically based violence carried out against them in the 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th Centuries by those who worship Manifest Destiny?) 

`(C) foreign government studies of, reviews of, and experiences with violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence. (I cringe to imagine the foreign governments the NEOCONS turn to for advise – Saudi Arabia comes to mind. Nope REAL American Citizens do not need nor really want OUR GOVERNMENT following the example of other repressive government just like Saddam’s that make a habit of Spying on their own citizens then want to expand it, because of the THRILL they get out of  LIKING IT! They are sicker than any Veteran or Troop with PTSD that is a FACT!)

 `(c) Composition of Commission- The Commission shall be composed of 12 members appointed for the life of the Commission, of whom— (What do you THINK about these words “appointed for LIFE?” Does it ring a bell? Kind of like the Fourth Reigh.) `(1) 2 members shall be appointed by the President from among officers or employees of the executive branch and private citizens of the United States; (No comment here – suffice it to say, Thank the Real God Bush’s bloody reign is almost OVER. Now, let us pray that comes true.) `(2) 2 members shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; (Does this not give you Nightmares to imagine what would happen to the American Dream should the Neo-Conservative Republicans EVER gain control of the House and Senate again. Most of America would either be moving to another country seeking freedom or bringing on the Second American Civil War!)  

`(3) 1 member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;

`(4) 2 members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; (Can you imagine the Nightmare the American Dream would have become had WE THE PEOPLE given such authority to Dennis Hastert? The Bush Rubber Stamp in Congress for GITMO, spying on American citizens, and the list of potential criminal acts goes on.)

`(5) 1 member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives;

 `(6) 1 member shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives; `(7) 1 member shall be appointed by the ranking minority member of the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives; 

`(8) 1 member shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and

 `(9) 1 member shall be appointed by the ranking minority member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate. 

`(d) Chair and Vice Chair- The Commission shall elect a Chair and a Vice Chair from among its members.

(QUESTION: Why is there no mention here of ethnic minority representation? If appearances of a NEOCON Kangaroo Court must be avoided then surely Hispanics should be represented given the intense anti-Immigration debate raging across America.

These folks surely must be represented along with other ethnic groups, especially Arab-Americans or are selective ethnic groups to also be labeled as potential ideologically based, violent radicals, and homegrown terrorist to shut them up too? (WINK)

Readers, I am not trying to be funny, because this IS NOT FUNNY. I’m trying to make several extremely valuable points worth considering before we let anyone in Congress get away with this extension of the Patriot Act, because that is where these NEOCONs are trying to go (and I define NEOCONs as non-partisan meaning not the exclusive views of Republicans – GET THE PICTURE!).

La Raza, Los Angeles, Calif., Aug. 1970.

SOURCE: the Wilcox Collection of Contemporary Political Movements.

KENNETH SPENCER RESEARCH LIBRARY

Kansas University

     La Raza served as the voice of the La Raza Unida Party, formed in Texas in 1969. Their goals included national support and recognition as an independent political party and bringing education and unity to Chicanos. Is a 21st Century version of La Raza still around looking out for the interests of Americans and Immigrants of Hispanic origin? You would be wrong to think La Raza is not still active and THANK GOD, they should and need to be. I personally may not agree with some of their more radical attitudes and tactics, but they certainly broke the stereotype that dominant White America wanted to maintain of Chicanos

`(e) Qualifications- `(1) IN GENERAL- Individuals shall be selected for appointment to the Commission solely on the basis of their professional qualifications, achievements, public stature, experience, and expertise in relevant fields, including behavioral science, constitutional law, corrections, counterterrorism, cultural anthropology, education, information technology, intelligence, juvenile justice, local law enforcement, organized crime, Islam and other world religions, sociology, or terrorism. (Come on NOW – it would have sufficed to just say World Religions not single out ISLAM! Most American know the NEOCONS are on a Crusade in the Middle East, but WE do not want to be associated with THEM! These Republicans EXPECT WE THE PEOPLE to seriously trust THEM with our civil liberties. Is it any wonder they will be defeated  ‘THANK GOD’ in the 2008 election exactly for treading on our freedoms. ) 

`(2) LIMITATION- Not more than 6 members of the Commission shall be from the same political party.

`(g) Quorum and Meetings- The Commission shall meet and begin the operations of the Commission not later than 30 days after the date on which all members have been appointed or, if such meeting cannot be mutually agreed upon, on a date designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Each subsequent meeting shall occur upon the call of the Chair or a majority of its members. A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold meetings. (Does this sound to YOU as if the opposition party (the Democrats) are seriously expected to go along with this fiasco. That would be Dumber than Dumb as going along with Bush on Iraqinam? MAYBE they do expect the Democrat to collaborate in spiting on and tearing up the U.S. Constitution! Thank God there are Independents running against these NEOCONs. Let me hear a billon WE WANT MORE INDEPENDENT candidates, WE WANT MORE INDEPENDENT candidates, BEFORE this Commission gets to work ensure the survival of the two party system.)

 `(h) Powers of Commission- (Yep NEOCONS sure love that word Powers) 

`(1) IN GENERAL-

 `(A) HEARINGS AND EVIDENCE- (TRANSLATION: The NEOCON Kangaroo Court) The Commission or, on the authority of the Commission, any subcommittee or member thereof, may, for the purpose of carrying out this section, hold hearings and sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, and administer such oaths as the Commission considers advisable to carry out its duties. (IF THIS DOES NOT SOUND EXACTLY LIKE SENATOR MCARTHY’S COMMIE WITCH HUNT FORMAT, I DON’T KNOW HOW TO CONVINCE YOU OTHERWISE!) `(B) CONTRACTING- The Commission may, to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts, enter into contracts to enable the Commission to discharge its duties under this section. (More work for Blackwater and Dick Cheney’s former company, Halliburton, among other NEOCON corporate War Profit making contacts. No, it is not enough that the Republicans have raped Iraq for War Profit, they NOW want to do the same here at HOME and seriously believe the American people are DUMB enough to pay them to continue Spying on US!) They had a dry run it is called: Iraq for Sale http://iraqforsale.org/ NOW they want to extend the War Profits to continue Spying on Americans and prevent investigative coverage, like this, from not only going public but OUTLAWED and the folks who tried to use their U.S. Constitutional rights imprisoned.  

`(2) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES-

`(A) IN GENERAL- The Commission may secure directly from any executive department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, independent establishment, or instrumentality of the Government, information (including classified information), suggestions, estimates, and statistics for the purposes of this section. The head of each such department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, independent establishment, or instrumentality shall, to the extent authorized by law, furnish such information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly to the Commission, upon request made by the Chair of the Commission, by the chair of any subcommittee created by a majority of the Commission, or by any member designated by a majority of the Commission. (Let us take a rational (but humorous) look at this in perspective of who wrote it and who is asking it be co-sponsored and passed. Now that you have that picture in your mind – THINK ABOUT this scenario. Retired Vice-President Dick Cheney (if he survives his next heart problem) is selectively picked to Head this Un-American Activity Commission, and former President George W. Bush is selectively appointed to be Co-Chair. Would you trust these Used Government Salesmen with the future of your civil liberties and rights? NEED I SAY MORE? I am going to be saying a lot negative about this Commission until either THIS VERY BAD IDEA is killed, or become reality and I end up in some GITMO somewhere. I for one am not going to any NEOCON run Concentration Camp peacefully.)

`(B) RECEIPT, HANDLING, STORAGE, AND DISSEMINATION- Information shall only be received, handled, stored, and disseminated by members of the Commission and its staff consistent with all applicable statutes, regulations, and Executive orders. (This is typical Spy World lingo so no additional comment need by made)

 `(2) OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES- a Federal department or agency may provide to the Commission such services, funds, facilities, and staff as they may determine advisable and as may be authorized by law. (These Republicans not only want to continue Spying on American citizens, they want to expand the ability of the NEOCON controlled Homeland Security Network to do so TRANSLATION creating even more wasteful bureaucracy in a redundant Security Department by taking funds, facilities, and people away from more pressing needs. If people, money, and facilities can be diverted to SPY on the American People, then they sure as heck can afford to make Mandatory Funding of the VA a reality instead of a VSO promise. ) `(l) Public Meetings- `(1) IN GENERAL- The Commission shall hold public hearings and meetings to the extent appropriate. (NOTE in particular “to the extend appropriate – TRANSLATION – do not look forward to these Republicans doing anything like this with the American public’s knowledge. When you make a habit out of Spying on American citizens you sure do not want to highlight that Unconstitutional behavior in public too often. The American people just might began getting intelligence, I mean intelligent (no pun intended).   `(2) PROTECTION OF INFORMATION- Any public hearings of the Commission shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the protection of information provided to or developed for or by the Commission as required by any applicable statute, regulation, or Executive order. (Translation: These Republicans want to do what they do best – continue to Spy on American citizens AND keep what they do BEHIND CLOSE DOORS! Typical FASCIST attitudes.) 

`(m) Staff of Commission-

 `(1) APPOINTMENT AND COMPENSATION- The Chair of the Commission, in consultation with the Vice Chair and in accordance with rules adopted by the Commission, may appoint and fix the compensation of a staff director and such other personnel as may be necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its functions, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that no rate of pay fixed under this subsection may exceed the maximum rate of pay for GS-15. (Equivalent of a Brigadier General or Senior Colonel)  (Comments beside the ones above. There are a few buzz words that make any former bureaucrat, like me, have heartburn and that is the vague terminology filled with loopholes, “rules adopted by the Un-American Activities Commission,” “map appoint and FIX compensation,” and “without regard to.” That aside there is that word COMPENSATION again. If these clowns seriously want to continue SPYING on American Citizens by God make them do it for FREE and SAVE the money wasted to Seriously Support America’s Veterans – Give America’s Veterans Mandatory Funding of the VA or Give us Death (Patrick Henry was rumored to have cried) – NOT more King George spying on American citizens!) `(2) STAFF EXPERTISE- Individuals shall be selected for appointment as staff of the Commission on the basis of their expertise in one or more of the fields described in subsection (e)(1). (Translation: Employees will be selected based on their ability to Spy on their neighbors. This plan is sounding more like something out of Nazi Germany the more I read) 

`(3) PERSONNEL AS FEDERAL EMPLOYEES-

`(A) IN GENERAL- The executive director and any employee of the Commission shall be (federal) employees

 `(B) MEMBERS OF COMMISSION- Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to apply to members of the Commission. (Translation: Member of the Un-American activity commission most likely will not be Federal employees allowing them to be free of oversight and monitoring. Does the ‘Soldier of Fortune.’ Mercenary, company Blackwater ring a bell?) 

`(4) DETAILEES- Any Federal employee may be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement from the Commission, and during such detail shall retain the rights, status, and privileges of the regular employment of such employee without interruption.

 (As a retired Military Officer AND Retired Civil Servant, let me tell you that Detailees do not need to be reimbursed by the Un-American activity Commission, because they would be getting their usually salary and benefits ANYWAY!) 

`(5) CONSULTANT SERVICES- The Commission may procure the services of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, at rates not to exceed the daily rate paid a person occupying a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.

 (More Federal Government Contractors to waste the American Tax Payer’s money just like they are raping Iraq to make a War Profit. You can bet your civil liberties that Blackwater will certainly be among ‘the experts’ THEY pay millions of dollars to consult with. Oh least we forget the NEOCON sponsored American Enterprise Institute (AEI) would surely be the academic community that get the grants mentioned below. Once again this is $$$ that could be going toward Mandatory Funding of the VA system. Where does these Neo-Conservatives stand on Mandatory Funding of the VA? They do not know what that means much less support it!) `(6) EMPHASIS ON SECURITY CLEARANCES- The Commission shall make it a priority to hire as employees and retain as contractors and detailees individuals otherwise authorized by this section who have active security clearances. (Simply put if you want to be a member of THIS FASCISTS Spy organization you have to know the secret handshake AND of course, your political ideology has to be approved by the Committee in order to get a Security Clearance. Translation: Liberals need not apply.) 

`(n) Commission Personnel Matters-

`(1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS- Each member of the Commission who is not an employee of the Government shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day during which that member is engaged in the actual performance of the duties of the Commission.

(You have got to be kidding me. Not only do THEY want to continue SPYING on American Citizens, they seriously want to get PAID to do it. My fellow Americans, I am sure Tricky Dick Cheney won’t mind me barrowing his lead in – EXACTLY how many members of Congress have lost their minds?) `(2) TRAVEL EXPENSES- While away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission, members of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission. (Not only do they want to continue SPYING on US, they have the gall to ask the American Tax Payer to PAY THEM travel expenses to do so – AHHHH!) 

`(3) TREATMENT OF SERVICE FOR PURPOSES OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS- A member of the Commission who is an annuitant otherwise covered by section 8344 or 8468 of title 5, United States Code, by reason of membership on the Commission shall not be subject to the provisions of such section with respect to membership on the Commission. (This part is just too stupid to comment on!)

`(o) Security Clearances- The heads of appropriate departments and agencies of the executive branch shall cooperate with the Commission to expeditiously provide Commission members and staff with appropriate security clearances, to the extent possible under applicable procedures and requirements.

`(1) FINAL REPORT-

`(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 18 months after the date on which the Commission first meets, the Commission shall submit to the President and Congress a final report including—

`(i) its findings and conclusions;

`(ii) legislative recommendations for—

`(I) immediate and long-term countermeasures to violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence; and

`(II) measures that can be taken to prevent violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence from developing and spreading within the United States; and

 `(iii) any final recommendations for any additional grant programs to support these purposes. (Just SAY NO to ‘any additional grant’ and put ‘other people’s money’ in the direction of Mandatory Funding of the VA. A blind Vet could see that this bill is just another smoke screen like THEIR NEOCON Flag Amendment, EXCEPT this one is going to COST the American Tax Payers THEY want to SPY on. WO!) `(B) ANNEX- The report submitted under subparagraph (A) may include a classified annex. (Not only do they want to continue Spying on American citizens, they want to KEEP IT SECRET! WARNING-WARNING-WARNING-WARNING (RED FLAG) `(2) INTERIM REPORTS- The Commission shall submit to the President and Congress— 

`(ii) its recommendations on the feasibility of a grant program established and administered by the Secretary for the purpose of preventing, disrupting, and mitigating the effects of violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence and, if such a program is feasible, recommendations on how grant funds should be used and administered; and

(HOLD THE PHONE, members of Congress seriously, they are not JOKING, want to give colleges and universities of NEOCON choice ‘a grant program’ while they pinch pennies on America’s Veterans? GIVE US A GD BREAK! Let me hear a billion Amens to How about taking that money Uncle Sam can throw at NEOCON ‘selected and approved’ colleges to help them accomplish even more propaganda on their War on Terror, and INSTEAD wrap it in a Flag Amendment and Mandatory Funding of the VA Medical and Claims processing system. Speaking of which how many Veterans in both Maine and Minnesota remember the last time that either of these Senators voted in support of Mandatory funding of our VA, and do not let your VSO leaders at state and National level SCAM you into thinking they did?  Don’t take my word for it do a Google search yourself and check out Collins and Colemans voting record on Veterans Issues. Did they even support Repealing the Disabled Veterans Tax (Concurrent Receipt), I don’t think so! (WINK)

`(3) INDIVIDUAL OR DISSENTING VIEWS- Each member of the Commission may include in each report under this subsection the individual additional or dissenting views of the member. (Like when did the Republican Party and especially this administration STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN to ANY DISSENTING VIEWS? If WE THE PEOPLE allow THEM to pass this monstrosity, we deserve ending up in GITMO, just for being stupid enough to allow any member of Congress to think this way let alone introduce legistlation.)

`(4) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY- The Commission shall release a public version of each report required under this subsection.

`(q) Availability of Funding- Amounts made available to the Commission to carry out this section shall remain available until the earlier of the expenditure of the amounts or the termination of the Commission.

`(r) Termination of Commission- The Commission shall terminate 30 days after the date on which the Commission submits its final report under subsection (p).

 `SEC. 899D. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR THE STUDY OF VIOLENT RADICALIZATION AND HOMEGROWN TERRORISM IN THE UNITED STATES. 

`(a) Establishment-

`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall establish or designate a university-based Center of Excellence for the Study of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism in the United States (in this section referred to as the `Center') using merit-review processes and procedures and other limitations established for designating university-based centers for homeland security under section 308(b)(2)(B). The Center shall assist homeland security officials of Federal, State, local, and tribal governments through training, education, and research in preventing violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism in the United States. (Comment: I do not know about our readers, but frankly, I have a problem with the American Academic Community getting involved in any NEOCON led scheme. Who for example decides which college or university will participate, even if they seriously wanted to get involved in the War on Terror. What happens to ‘academic freedom’ at any college or university that could involve  ‘this much’ influence from a Federal government already OUT OF CONTROL?)  

`(2) USE OF EXISTING CENTERS- In carrying out this section, the Secretary may create a new Center designed exclusively for the purpose described in subsection (b) or identify and expand a university-based center for homeland security of the Department in existence on the date of enactment of this subtitle by designating a working group within that center to achieve the purpose described in subsection (b).

 `(b) Purpose- It shall be the purpose of the Center to study the social, criminal, political, psychological, and economic roots of violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism in the United States and methods that can be used by homeland security officials of Federal, State, local, and tribal governments to mitigate violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism.<