Lieberman Lays Ground Work to Deem Any Group or Individual Violent Extremists

S.1546 - Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act of 2011; Sen Joseph Lieberman (CT-I)

Here's the little gem found inside S.1546:

SEC. 213. COUNTERING HOMEGROWN TERRORISM.


(a) Findings- Congress finds the following:


(1) The Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (commonly know as, and in this section referred to as, the ‘9/11 Commission Report’) states that ‘our strategy must match our means to two ends: dismantling the al Qaeda network and prevailing in the longer term over the ideology that gives rise to Islamist terrorism.’.


(2) The President released a document in August 2011, entitled ‘Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States’, which set forth a framework for countering violent extremism in the United States.


(b) Designation of Official- Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall designate an official of the Department to coordinate efforts to counter violent extremism in the United States, particularly the ideology that gives rise to Islamist terrorism as identified in the 9/11 Commission Report.


(c) Notice- Not later than 15 days after the date on which the Secretary designates an official under subsection (b), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a written notification of the designation.


(d) Report- Not later than 90 days after the date on which the Secretary designates an official under subsection (b), official designated shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a report detailing--


(1) the strategy and activities of the Department to counter violent extremism in the United States, particularly the ideology that gives rise to Islamist terrorism as identified in the 9/11 Commission Report;


(2) which offices of the Department have significant responsibilities for countering violent extremism in the United States, particularly the ideology that gives rise to Islamist terrorism as identified in the 9/11 Commission Report;


(3) the number of employees of the Department employees whose time is fully or partially dedicated and the amount of funding dedicated by the Department to countering violent extremism in the United States, particularly the ideology that gives rise to Islamist terrorism as identified in the 9/11 Commission Report;


(4) the type of Department-sponsored activities and training for States and local governments, including products and activities associated with State and major urban area fusion centers, for countering violent extremism in the United States, particularly the ideology that gives rise to Islamist terrorism as identified in the 9/11 Commission Report;


(5) the metrics used to measure the effectiveness of programs or activities of the Department or sponsored by the Department aimed to counter violent extremism in the United States, particularly the ideology that gives rise to Islamist terrorism as identified in the 9/11 Commission Report; and


(6) the work of the Department to ensure that its activities to counter violent extremism in the United States, particularly the ideology that gives rise to Islamist terrorism as identified in the 9/11 Commission report, are in compliance with civil rights and civil liberties under applicable law.

Comment: While they use their old straw man straight out of the godawful 9/11 Commission Report, the Mooselum, the clause will give DHS the unfettered ability to deem any group or individual a violent extremist. This where Orwell and 1984 meet 2011.