MIDLIFE MINI-19, Wednesday, May 07, 2025 - Conservatives, Taking the Bait.
It is pretty sad when Conservatives, and social media pundits, are taking the bait regarding H.R. 867, believing the international propaganda, and thus are in line with CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The irony, right? A Bill that aims to thwart international propaganda campaigns could be shuttered by an international propaganda campaign.
Like sprinkling magic bait-dust on a news story, and poof, people cannot think rationally, nor objectively.
House of Representative (H.R.) 867 is not about infringing on the 1st Amendment rights of Americans.
The Bill proposal aims to further prevent foreign entities from provoking civil unrest in America, basically, preventing Americans from getting set-up as the proverbial "useful idiots" in international propaganda campaigns waged on American soil, e.g., campus unrest, the destruction of public and private property, as we witnessed both this year, and last year.
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"Summary: H.R.867 — 119th Congress (2025-2026)":
"This bill expands an existing anti-boycott law to include certain boycotts imposed by international governmental organizations (IGOs).
"Current law prohibits various actions by U.S. persons (individuals or entities) in relation to boycotts imposed by foreign governments on a country which is friendly to the United States and that is not itself the object of a U.S. boycott. This bill applies those prohibitions to similar boycotts imposed by IGOs.
"Prohibited actions include (1) refusing to do business with companies organized under the laws of the boycotted country, if the refusal is pursuant to an agreement with or request from the country or IGO imposing the boycott; (2) refusing to employ any U.S. person on the basis of race, religion, sex, or national origin; and (3) furnishing information about whether someone is associated with charitable or fraternal organizations that support the boycotted country" (2.).
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CAIR's Press Release, their, "CAIR Action Alert":
"(WASHINGTON, D.C., 5/4/25) - Join the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in urging your U.S. Representative to VOTE NO tomorrow on the so-called “International Governmental Organizations Anti-Boycott Act” (H.R. 867) over the threat it poses to First Amendment free speech rights.
"FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW: Take Action Now. Tell Congress to Vote NO on H.R. 867!!!
"This dangerous bill threatens the rights of Americans to participate in internationally-led boycotts of Israel's ongoing occupation, apartheid, and genocide of the Palestinian people.
"H.R. 867 would expand the Anti-Boycott Act of 2018 by criminalizing compliance with or support for boycotts called for by international governmental organizations (IGOs) such as the United Nations. Under this law, American individuals, businesses, or advocacy organizations could face civil penalties, criminal fines of up to $1 million, and even imprisonment of up to 20 years for aligning with internationally-backed calls to boycott Israel or companies complicit in its human rights abuses.
"The right to boycott is an intrinsic part of the First Amendment and a cornerstone of American democracy - from resisting British colonial rule to supporting civil rights and opposing apartheid in South Africa. That right must not be infringed.
"This bill would criminalize U.S. individuals and businesses who support peaceful, internationally-recognized calls for human rights accountability. It would chill constitutionally protected political speech and advocacy, particularly efforts to end U.S. complicity in Israel's crimes against Palestinians. And it would set a dangerous precedent by empowering the federal government to punish Americans for exercising moral, ethical, and political convictions.
"This bill is part of a broader, escalating effort to silence dissent, from the illegal detention and attempted expulsion of student protesters, to the denial of visas, and the targeting of nonprofit organizations and community leaders. The federal government is increasingly using its power to criminalize advocacy and suppress voices of conscience.
"Congress must hear from you now. Supporting this bill is not only a violation of constitutional freedoms, but it also betrays the founding principles of this nation, which itself was born out of a boycott.
"CAIR's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims" (2.).
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Conservatives, taking the bait.
- Matfucius
1.) https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/867