Not Your Sweetie

Ashcroft's Patriot II:



The Justice Department is considering legislative proposals that would significantly
expand the federal government's power to investigate, detain and punish suspected
terrorists in secret and without court supervision, according to a preliminary draft of
the bill disclosed yesterday.

Here's a taste :



Section 501, “Expatriation of Terrorists”: This provision, the drafters say, would
establish that an American citizen could be expatriated “if, with the intent to relinquish
his nationality, he becomes a member of, or provides material support to, a group
that the United Stated has designated as a ‘terrorist organization’.” But whereas a
citizen formerly had to state his intent to relinquish his citizenship, the new law affirms
that his intent can be “inferred from conduct.” Thus, engaging in the lawful activities
of a group designated as a “terrorist organization” by the Attorney General could be
presumptive grounds for expatriation.