I go into further detail in my latest videocast, but here's what you need to know about H.R. 347 at a glance: It's outrageous, it’s atrocious, and it’s ludicrously un-American.
Oh, and it passed the House yesterday 388 to 3.
Here's what foreign media is saying about the bill -- in this case,
Russian state-owned news network RT:
Just when you thought the government couldn’t ruin the First Amendment any further: The House of Representatives approved a bill on Monday that outlaws protests in instances where some government officials are nearby, whether or not you even know it.
The US House of Representatives voted 388-to-3 in favor of H.R. 347 late Monday, a bill which is being dubbed the Federal Restricted Buildings and Grounds Improvement Act of 2011. In the bill, Congress officially makes it illegal to trespass on the grounds of the White House, which, on the surface, seems not just harmless and necessary, but somewhat shocking that such a rule isn’t already on the books. The wording in the bill, however, extends to allow the government to go after much more than tourists that transverse the wrought iron White House fence.
Under the act, the government is also given the power to bring charges against Americans engaged in political protest anywhere in the country.
And here's what our media is saying -- in this case, Congressional news site The Hill:
Members approved the bill, H.R. 347, under a suspension of House rules, by a 388-3 vote. The non-controversial bill was subject to just a brief debate in the afternoon, seeing the easy vote."
Oh, non-controversial. OK. Nothing to see here, citizen. Move along.
(Hat tip to the Reddit hivemind for The Hill and RT links.)
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About David Seaman: David Seaman is an independent journalist. He has been a lively guest on CNN Headline News, FOX News, ABC News Digital, among others, and is the host of The DL Show. Some say he was recently censored by a certain large media corporation for posting a little too much truth... For more, find him on G+ and Twitter.
(a) Whoever--
...
`(2) knowingly, and with intent to impede or disrupt the orderly conduct of Government business or official functions, engages in disorderly or disruptive conduct in, or within such proximity to, any restricted building or grounds when, or so that, such conduct, in fact, impedes or disrupts the orderly conduct of Government business or official functions;
So, if you do anything that gets in the way of "Government business or official functions", even without planning on it, you could be in for a 10 year jail term.
It took me a few readings to catch it, but yes, it's there.
SG_Blog
NEWSWIRE
I'm lost
FEB 29, 2012 07:02 AM