Your Turn Letters to the Editor

Fair warning on civil liberties

The people of the metro Richmond area, or any other persons interested in retaining their civil liberties, may be interested in the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (bills H.R. 4239 and S. 1926), introduced by Rep. Thomas Petri, R-Wis. In the text of this bill, new definitions are drawn for what denotes a domestic terrorist including, but not limited to, non-violent protest against inhumane treatment of animals.

This bill, which just passed the Senate by unanimous consent, has the potential to label dozens of domestic non-profit organizations as terrorist organizations. Now, whether you have steak and eggs for breakfast every morning or not, you may want to consider the future implications of outlawing any form of social protest. In my brief 32 years, one trend that I have found very reliable is the old phrase, “Give ’em an inch and they’ll take a mile.”

I don’t believe that this mentality is beyond the U.S. government, considering how little scrutiny has been placed on anything patriotically labeled as opposition to “terrorism.” We would all be wise to keep a watchful eye on such loose terminology that could put your daughter, the vegetarian college student, on a list next to someone who desires to overthrow our country.

– Tess von Geczy

Editor’s Note: A copy of the House of Representatives bill is available online at www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h109-4239