in [Check it out - Cross-posted from Fidonet:] The "Crime Bill" passed by Congress recently (truename: Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994) has a frightening provision that hides a boogeyman under its superficially appealing surface: *----------* *----------* *----------* SEC. 120005. PROVIDING MATERIAL SUPPORT TO TERRORISTS. (a) Offense.--Chapter 113A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding the following new section: ``Sec. 2339A. Providing material support to terrorists ``(a) Definition.--In this section, `material support or resources' means currency or other financial securities, financial services, lodging, training, safehouses, false documentation or identification, communications equipment, facilities, weapons, lethal substances, explosives, personnel, transportation, and other physical assets, but does not include humanitarian assistance to persons not directly involved in such violations. ``(b) Offense.--A person who, within the United States, provides material support or resources or conceals or disguises the nature, location, source, or ownership of material support or resources, knowing or intending that they are to be used in preparation for, or in carrying out, a violation of section 32, 36, 351, 844 (f) or (i), 1114, 1116, 1203, 1361, 1363, 1751, 2280, 2281, 2331, or 2339 of this title or section 46502 of title 49, or in preparation for or carrying out the concealment of an escape from the commission of any such violation, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both. ``(c) Investigations.-- ``(1) In general.--Within the United States, an investigation may be initiated or continued under this section only when facts reasonably indicate that-- ``(A) in the case of an individual, the individual knowingly or intentionally engages, has engaged, or is about to engage in the violation of this or any other Federal criminal law; and ``(B) in the case of a group of individuals, the group knowingly or intentionally engages, has engaged, or is about to engage in the violation of this or any other Federal criminal law. ``(2) Activities protected by the first amendment.--An investigation may not be initiated or continued under this section based on activities protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution, including expressions of support or the provision of financial support for the nonviolent political, religious, philosophical, or ideological goals or beliefs of any person or group.''. (b) Technical Amendment.--The chapter analysis for chapter 113A of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding the following new item: ``2339A. Providing material support to terrorists.''. *----------* *----------* *----------* In the U.S. Title 18 Code, terrorism is defined as "engaging in any act or conspiring to engage in any act intended to intimidate or coerce the civilian population or the government" or close words to that effect. What does this mean? Suppose you organize a militia and some little jot or tittle is just that much off -- and the thugs at the BATF or FBI or NatPol decide that your militia is an "armed group"? They can now seize your house, your car, your bank account and anything else even remotely connected with the maintenance or support of the militia, and make *you* prove your innocence before the Federal thugs will grudgingly return your life to you. Suppose you participate in a demonstration against abortion and just one member of the peaceful demonstration gets into a fistfight with an escort. You had given a ride to this demonstrator -- is the fistfight "terrorism" and you a collaborator in this "terrorism" to be arrested and thrown in jail and your car seized until you can prove that you did not know that the other demonstrator did intend to fight with an escort? Suppose you demonstrate against national health care and you yell that Clinton should be thrown out of office and make a threatening gesture -- will the thugs treat this as an "attempt to intimidate the government" and take your car and perhaps your home if you used it to prepare materials for the demonstration? Suppose you quote Thomas Jefferson's words about a revolution being due every twenty years -- will you be thrown into jail for that? Note that the above section does not allow anything but "NON-violent" goals. This is another direct attack upon the First Amendment and deeply disturbing in its implications when considered as part of a set of other federal statutes scattered across Title 18 criminal law. ***end of quoted section*** -- .......................................................................... Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money, <snip>