From: Robert J. Bradbury (bradbury@aeiveos.com)
Date: Sun Aug 31 2003 - 14:25:20 MDT
Ok, I'm going to see if I can take this thread in a slightly different
direction.
On Sun, 31 Aug 2003, Barbara Lamar wrote:
> [snip] That if any persons shall unlawfully combine or
> conspire together, with intent to oppose any measure or measures of the
> government of the United States, which are or shall be directed by proper
> authority, or to impede the operation of any law of the United States, or to
> intimidate or prevent any person holding a place or office in or under the
> government of the United States, from undertaking, performing or executing
> his trust or duty; [more snips]
Sounds like this prevents one from lobbying to repeal the PA or parts thereof.
Now *that* is a pretty slick piece of legislation -- who the hell drafted
this thing -- Ashcroft & Co.? If so they are bad/evil people. It goes
against the fundamental principles the country was built upon -- the Minutemen,
Paul Revere's efforts (one if by land, two if by sea), Freedom of Speech, etc.
I'm sure Greg could comment on what components of Jefferson's or Franklin's
perspectives this violates (at length). It would seem to allow taking every
demonstrator who demonstrated against the WTO a couple of years ago in Seattle
and hauling them off to jail. They *clearly* were "conspiring" to
disobey "laws" of the U.S. (though I'm not clear if that phrase would
or would not include state laws).
Also, to put a transhumanist spin on this, it would seem to make it illegal
for American citizens to lobby for independent enclaves within the
U.S. or promoting the formation external enclaves (e.g. nanotech island based)
that might threaten the economic interests of the U.S. -- [if government officials
can't get paid its a bit difficult for them to "execute their duty".]
What a mess.
R.
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