ACLU, Others Warn of 'Patriot Act Lite'

Like the Patriot Act? Then you're going to love The Violent Radicalisation and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act, known as the ite version. Passing overwhelmingly in the House, according to statements from critics, the bill could "criminalise radical thought and peaceful dissent, posing as academic study." Why rush the measure through the process? Got a couple of political conventions coming up, and we can't have no stinkin' protests now can we?

NEW YORK, 27 Nov (IPS) - Civil libertarians are worried that a little-known anti-terrorism bill now making its way through the U.S. Congress with virtually no debate could be planting the seeds of another USA Patriot Act, which was hurriedly enacted into law after the al Qaeda attacks of Sep. 11, 2001.

The Violent Radicalisation and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act, co-authored by the former chair of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, Jane Harmon, a California Democrat, passed the House by an overwhelming 400-6 vote last month, and will soon be considered by the Senate.

The bill's co-author is Republican Congressman David Reichert of Washington State. The Senate version is being drafted by Susan Collins of Maine, the ranking Republican on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which is chaired by the hawkish Connecticut independent, Sen. Joe Lieberman. Harmon is chair of the House Homeland Security Intelligence Subcommittee.