Trying to get some answers on domestic terrorism bill. What I found out

[Joe Fields]

I called the Clinton, Obama and Edwards offices, to try and find their positions on the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorist Prevention Act of 2007.

This is the bill,H.R.1955, whose House version passed 404-6, with 22 abstentions. The bill was sent to the senate, and the senate's version, S.1959 was sent to committee early August, 2007.

Interestingly, the committee it was sent to, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, is a committee that Barack Obama is on, and is chaired by none other than Joe Lieberman.

I suspected before I called that this issue was just too hot for any of the frontrunners to address.

The results of my fact finding mission:

I called Clinton's senate office, and inquired about her position on this bill. Sen. Clinton's secretary informed me that the Senator has taken no position on it, as yet. I then asked if the senator had even read the bill. She said that Senator Clinton hadn't read it yet. I then asked why not? The bill has been in the senate for five months. Surely the senator must have some opinion about the domestic terrorism bill that the House passed, which the senate is deliberating on. I was informed that the senator has not studied the bill yet, and does not have an opinion on it. I was told that my concerns would be passed along to the senator. I then thanked her for her time.

I then called Barack Obama's office, to find out where he stood on this issue. I was told by his office secretary that he, in fact, had issued a statement on the domestic terrorism bill his committee is deliberating on. The secretary did not read the entire statement to me, as it was lengthy, but she boiled the essence of his feelings down for me. Basically, he is in full support of passing S.1959, as long as there are provisions in it to protect our civil liberties, which also include provisions against racial profiling. I told the secretary of my concerns about this bill, and she assured me that she would pass my thoughts along to the senator. I thanked her for her time and trouble.

Last, I called the Edwards campaign. They were out to lunch. I left a number for them to contact me. If I don't hear back by early afternoon, I will call back.

Folks, I can only speak for myself, but as a progressive, I can't imagine anyone else who calls themselves a progressive standing for this type of legislation, or standing behind anyone who is either willing to pass this legislation, let alone remaining curiously silent on this issue and not publicly denouncing it.

As most of us already know, Dennis Kucinich publicly denounced this terrible legislation, and was one of the six representatives who voted against it.

Again, I realize this is a political hot potato. But I think it isn't too much to ask for courage in our leaders. I'm not looking for a leader who will duck for cover.