An open letter from Professor Steven Yates to his Senators...

November 23, 2007

The Honorable Senator __________
290 Russell
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator __________,

When the time comes, please vote NO on S.1959, the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007.

I have read the text of this bill, and it scares me to death!

What is an "extremist belief system"? The bill uses this phrase but doesn't define it. Also undefined is the planned in "use, planned use, or threatened use, of force or violence.…" Since planning involved thought and is open to a considerable amount of interpretation, this bill is being renamed on some websites the Thought Crimes Act of 2007.

There have been no "homegrown terrorists" or threats thereof made publicly known since Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols destroyed the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. That was in 1995.

I can only surmise that this bill is aimed at grassroots Patriot and similar movements scattered around the country who are urging a return to limited government based on the U.S. Constitution. I worry that since the 9/11 attacks, in the name of globalism and "homeland security" our Constitutional republic is slowly being turned into a federal police state (USA Patriot Act, "free speech zones," Presidential signing statements, Domestic Security Enhancement Act, Military Commissions Act, John Warner National Defense Authorization Act, Presidential Directive NSPD 51/HSPD-20, etc.).

Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely,

Steven Yates, Ph.D.
Greenville, South Carolina

Professor Yates teaches philosophy at the University of South Carolina Upstate and the University of South Carolina Union.