"Did you know that under the terms of the new Patriot Act prosecutors will be able to seek the death penalty in cases where “defendants gave financial support to umbrella organizations without realizing that some of its adherents might eventually commit violence”? (NY Times; editorial 10-30-05) So, if someone unknowingly gave money to a charity that was connected to a terrorist group, he could be executed."-----------------------------------------------------------
This would qualify as treason, even if the organization had not committed any violence. If there stated goal is to overthrow the gov of the united states and you give them money, that is treason. Treason has always carried the death penalty. Nothing new there. Alot of what you state is ho hum. Clinton established alot of similar powers to be used in the event of serious terroist threat. Our presidents have always had the power to suspend our rights and declear martial law if need be. The Idea is if our country falls you loos your rights anyway. So marshal law makes sense as a last resort to save the nation. All you can do is hope you have a Bush in office and not a Clinton, who would not relinquish power and would turn us over to a gloval government.
"This is why, when the Empire finally collapsed, it caught Reagan and his people completely by surprise. They assumed it was the invincible foe they had constructed in their imaginations."------------------------------------------------------
Sorry pal, but you simply don't know your history. The Soviet Union fell because its satalite nations fell. Reagan and John Paul ii worked closely together to cause and support the freedom movements in nations like Poland. Remember, perostoka. Finally, Hungary opened its boarders and thousands started to flee to the west as a direct result of the interventions of Reagan and JPII. Once they coule no longer force there citizens to stay and work, tehy could not hold power. Then there was the revolt in citzens exicuted Chowchescu and hung him in public. Once the mob was empowered and all the "captives" new it. It was the end. These things happened as a directed result of the involvment and support of the freedom movements by JPii and Reagan. It is all plain history. I think everyone was surprised a little by how quick it happened and how little the Eastern govs were able to resist. This is plain history.