So at first glance, the punishment seems fitting enough: life imprisonment for acts of terrorism.
Trouble is, this law would effectively reduce the definition of "terrorism" to "blocking traffic in front of a government building."
A BILL FOR AN ACTRelating to terrorism; creating new provisions; and amending
section 19, chapter 666, Oregon Laws 2001.Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. { + (1) A person commits the crime of terrorism if
the person knowingly plans, participates in or carries out any
act that is intended, by at least one of its participants, to
disrupt:
(a) The free and orderly assembly of the inhabitants of the
State of Oregon;
(b) Commerce or the transportation systems of the State of
Oregon; or
(c) The educational or governmental institutions of the State
of Oregon or its inhabitants.
(2) A person commits the crime of terrorism if the person
conspires to do any of the activities described in subsection (1)
of this section.
Here is the full text of this crazy bill in case the link goes bad:
http://www.leg.state.or.us/03reg/measures/sb0700.dir/sb0742.intro.html
72nd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2003 Regular Session
NOTE: Matter within { + braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within { - braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
{ + braces and plus signs + } .
LC 2695
Senate Bill 742
Sponsored by Senator MINNIS
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
Creates crime of terrorism. Punishes by life imprisonment.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to terrorism; creating new provisions; and amending
section 19, chapter 666, Oregon Laws 2001.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. { + (1) A person commits the crime of terrorism if
the person knowingly plans, participates in or carries out any
act that is intended, by at least one of its participants, to
disrupt:
(a) The free and orderly assembly of the inhabitants of the
State of Oregon;
(b) Commerce or the transportation systems of the State of
Oregon; or
(c) The educational or governmental institutions of the State
of Oregon or its inhabitants.
(2) A person commits the crime of terrorism if the person
conspires to do any of the activities described in subsection (1)
of this section.
(3) A person may not be convicted of terrorism except upon the
testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act or upon
confession in open court.
(4)(a) A person convicted of terrorism shall be punished by
imprisonment for life.
(b) When a person is convicted of terrorism under this section,
the court shall order that the person be confined for a minimum
of 25 years without possibility of parole, release to post-prison
supervision, release on work release or any form of temporary
leave or employment at a forest or work camp.
(c) At any time after completion of a minimum period of
confinement pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection, the
State Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision, upon the
petition of a prisoner so confined, shall hold a hearing, the
sole issue of which is to determine whether the prisoner is
likely to be rehabilitated within a reasonable period of time.
The board shall conduct the proceeding in the manner prescribed
for a contested case hearing under ORS 183.310 to 183.550 except
that:
(A) The prisoner has the burden of proving by a preponderance
of the evidence the likelihood of rehabilitation within a
reasonable period of time; and
(B) The prisoner has the right, if the prisoner is without
sufficient funds to employ an attorney, to be represented by
legal counsel, appointed by the board, at board expense.
(d) If, upon hearing all of the evidence and upon a unanimous
vote of all of its members, the board finds that the prisoner is
capable of rehabilitation within a reasonable amount of time and
that the terms of the prisoner's confinement should be changed to
life imprisonment with the possibility of parole, release to
post-prison supervision or work release, the board shall enter an
order to that effect and convert the terms of the prisoner's
confinement to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole,
release to post-prison supervision or work release and may set a
release date. Otherwise, the board shall deny the relief sought
in the petition.
(e) Not less than two years after the denial of the relief
sought in a petition under paragraph (c) of this subsection, the
prisoner may petition again for a change in the terms of
confinement. Further petitions for a change may be filed at
intervals of not less than two years thereafter. + }
SECTION 2. { + Notwithstanding ORS 181.575 and 181.850, a law
enforcement agency shall cooperate with any federal or state
agency that is investigating an act of terrorism, and a law
enforcement agency may retain any information relating to an
investigation of terrorism as long as the investigation remains
open. The Attorney General shall adopt rules governing the
retention of such information. + }
SECTION 3. Section 19, chapter 666, Oregon Laws 2001, as
amended by section 5, chapter 696, Oregon Laws 2001, is amended
to read:
{ + Sec. 19. + } The crimes to which section 1 (11)(b),
chapter 666, Oregon Laws 2001, applies are:
(1) Bribe giving, as defined in ORS 162.015.
(2) Bribe receiving, as defined in ORS 162.025.
(3) Public investment fraud, as defined in ORS 162.117.
(4) Bribing a witness, as defined in ORS 162.265.
(5) Bribe receiving by a witness, as defined in ORS 162.275.
(6) Simulating legal process, as defined in ORS 162.355.
(7) Official misconduct in the first degree, as defined in ORS
162.415.
(8) Custodial interference in the second degree, as defined in
ORS 163.245.
(9) Custodial interference in the first degree, as defined in
ORS 163.257.
(10) Buying or selling a person under 18 years of age, as
defined in ORS 163.537.
(11) Using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct,
as defined in ORS 163.670.
(12) Encouraging child sexual abuse in the first degree, as
defined in ORS 163.684.
(13) Encouraging child sexual abuse in the second degree, as
defined in ORS 163.686.
(14) Encouraging child sexual abuse in the third degree, as
defined in ORS 163.687.
(15) Possession of materials depicting sexually explicit
conduct of a child in the first degree, as defined in ORS
163.688.
(16) Possession of materials depicting sexually explicit
conduct of a child in the second degree, as defined in ORS
163.689.
(17) Theft in the second degree, as defined in ORS 164.045.
(18) Theft in the first degree, as defined in ORS 164.055.
(19) Aggravated theft in the first degree, as defined in ORS
164.057.
(20) Theft by extortion, as defined in ORS 164.075.
(21) Theft by deception, as defined in ORS 164.085, if it is a
felony or a Class A misdemeanor.
(22) Theft by receiving, as defined in ORS 164.095, if it is a
felony or a Class A misdemeanor.
(23) Theft of services, as defined in ORS 164.125, if it is a
felony or a Class A misdemeanor.
(24) Unauthorized use of a vehicle, as defined in ORS 164.135.
(25) Mail theft or receipt of stolen mail, as defined in ORS
164.162.
(26) Laundering a monetary instrument, as defined in ORS
164.170.
(27) Engaging in a financial transaction in property derived
from unlawful activity, as defined in ORS 164.172.
(28) Burglary in the second degree, as defined in ORS 164.215.
(29) Burglary in the first degree, as defined in ORS 164.225.
(30) Possession of burglar's tools, as defined in ORS 164.235.
(31) Unlawful entry into a motor vehicle, as defined in ORS
164.272.
(32) Arson in the second degree, as defined in ORS 164.315.
(33) Arson in the first degree, as defined in ORS 164.325.
(34) Computer crime, as defined in ORS 164.377.
(35) Robbery in the third degree, as defined in ORS 164.395.
(36) Robbery in the second degree, as defined in ORS 164.405.
(37) Robbery in the first degree, as defined in ORS 164.415.
(38) Unlawful labeling of a sound recording, as defined in ORS
164.868.
(39) Unlawful recording of a live performance, as defined in
ORS 164.869.
(40) Unlawful labeling of a videotape recording, as defined in
ORS 164.872.
(41) A violation of ORS 164.877.
(42) Endangering aircraft, as defined in ORS 164.885.
(43) Interference with agricultural operations, as defined in
ORS 164.887.
(44) Forgery in the second degree, as defined in ORS 165.007.
(45) Forgery in the first degree, as defined in ORS 165.013.
(46) Criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second
degree, as defined in ORS 165.017.
(47) Criminal possession of a forged instrument in the first
degree, as defined in ORS 165.022.
(48) Criminal possession of a forgery device, as defined in ORS
165.032.
(49) Criminal simulation, as defined in ORS 165.037.
(50) Fraudulently obtaining a signature, as defined in ORS
165.042.
(51) Fraudulent use of a credit card, as defined in ORS
165.055.
(52) Negotiating a bad check, as defined in ORS 165.065.
(53) Possessing a fraudulent communications device, as defined
in ORS 165.070.
(54) Unlawful factoring of a credit card transaction, as
defined in ORS 165.074.
(55) Falsifying business records, as defined in ORS 165.080.
(56) Sports bribery, as defined in ORS 165.085.
(57) Sports bribe receiving, as defined in ORS 165.090.
(58) Misapplication of entrusted property, as defined in ORS
165.095.
(59) Issuing a false financial statement, as defined in ORS
165.100.
(60) Obtaining execution of documents by deception, as defined
in ORS 165.102.
(61) A violation of ORS 165.543.
(62) Cellular counterfeiting in the third degree, as defined in
ORS 165.577.
(63) Cellular counterfeiting in the second degree, as defined
in ORS 165.579.
(64) Cellular counterfeiting in the first degree, as defined in
ORS 165.581.
(65) Identity theft, as defined in ORS 165.800.
(66) A violation of ORS 166.190.
(67) Unlawful use of a weapon, as defined in ORS 166.220.
(68) A violation of ORS 166.240.
(69) Unlawful possession of a firearm, as defined in ORS
166.250.
(70) A violation of ORS 166.270.
(71) Unlawful possession of a machine gun, short-barreled
rifle, short-barreled shotgun or firearms silencer, as defined in
ORS 166.272.
(72) A violation of ORS 166.275.
(73) Unlawful possession of armor piercing ammunition, as
defined in ORS 166.350.
(74) A violation of ORS 166.370.
(75) Unlawful possession of a destructive device, as defined in
ORS 166.382.
(76) Unlawful manufacture of a destructive device, as defined
in ORS 166.384.
(77) Possession of a hoax destructive device, as defined in ORS
166.385.
(78) A violation of ORS 166.410.
(79) Providing false information in connection with a transfer
of a handgun, as defined in ORS 166.416.
(80) Improperly transferring a handgun, as defined in ORS
166.418.
(81) Unlawfully purchasing a firearm, as defined in ORS
166.425.
(82) A violation of ORS 166.429.
(83) A violation of ORS 166.470.
(84) A violation of ORS 166.480.
(85) A violation of ORS 166.635.
(86) A violation of ORS 166.638.
(87) Unlawful paramilitary activity, as defined in ORS 166.660.
(88) A violation of ORS 166.720.
(89) Prostitution, as defined in ORS 167.007.
(90) Promoting prostitution, as defined in ORS 167.012.
(91) Compelling prostitution, as defined in ORS 167.017.
(92) Exhibiting an obscene performance to a minor, as defined
in ORS 167.075.
(93) Unlawful gambling in the second degree, as defined in ORS
167.122.
(94) Unlawful gambling in the first degree, as defined in ORS
167.127.
(95) Possession of gambling records in the second degree, as
defined in ORS 167.132.
(96) Possession of gambling records in the first degree, as
defined in ORS 167.137.
(97) Possession of a gambling device, as defined in ORS
167.147.
(98) Possession of a gray machine, as defined in ORS 167.164.
(99) Cheating, as defined in ORS 167.167.
(100) Tampering with drug records, as defined in ORS 167.212.
(101) A violation of ORS 167.262.
(102) Research and animal interference, as defined in ORS
167.312.
(103) Animal abuse in the first degree, as defined in ORS
167.320.
(104) Aggravated animal abuse in the first degree, as defined
in ORS 167.322.
(105) Animal neglect in the first degree, as defined in ORS
167.330.
(106) Interfering with an assistance, a search and rescue or a
therapy animal, as defined in ORS 167.352.
(107) Involvement in animal fighting, as defined in ORS
167.355.
(108) Dogfighting, as defined in ORS 167.365.
(109) Participation in dogfighting, as defined in ORS 167.370.
(110) Unauthorized use of a livestock animal, as defined in ORS
167.385.
(111) Interference with livestock production, as defined in ORS
167.388.
(112) A violation of ORS 167.390.
(113) A violation of ORS 471.410.
(114) Failure to report missing precursor substances, as
defined in ORS 475.955.
(115) Illegally selling drug equipment, as defined in ORS
475.960.
(116) Providing false information on a precursor substances
report, as defined in ORS 475.965.
(117) Unlawful delivery of an imitation controlled substance,
as defined in ORS 475.991.
(118) A violation of ORS 475.992, if it is a felony or a Class
A misdemeanor.
(119) A violation of ORS 475.993, if it is a felony or a Class
A misdemeanor.
(120) A violation of ORS 475.994.
(121) A violation of ORS 475.995, if it is a felony or a Class
A misdemeanor.
(122) A violation of ORS 475.999 (1)(a).
(123) Misuse of an identification card, as defined in ORS
807.430.
(124) Unlawful production of identification cards, licenses,
permits, forms or camera cards, as defined in ORS 807.500.
(125) Transfer of documents for the purposes of
misrepresentation, as defined in ORS 807.510.
(126) Using an invalid license, as defined in ORS 807.580.
(127) Permitting misuse of a license, as defined in ORS
807.590.
(128) Using another's license, as defined in ORS 807.600.
(129) Criminal driving while suspended or revoked, as defined
in ORS 811.182, when it is a felony.
(130) Driving while under the influence of intoxicants, as
defined in ORS 813.010, when it is a felony.
(131) Unlawful distribution of cigarettes, as defined in
{ - section 3 of this 2001 Act - } { + ORS 323.482 + }.
{ + (132) Terrorism, as defined in section 1 of this 2003
Act.
+ } { - (132) - } { + (133) + } An attempt, conspiracy or
solicitation to commit a crime in subsections (1) to
{ - (131) - } { + (132) + } of this section if the attempt,
conspiracy or solicitation is a felony or a Class A misdemeanor.
----------
It would seem that legal definitions are a web of "unintended consequenses" when it comes to the definition and criminalisation of the topic, scope and practice of "terrorism. As was debated in the United Kingdom, such ambiguity and lack of understanding of "terrorism" could and rightly should include firefighters and police officers, as in their duties, they do intentionally disrupt society- even if the intention is both noble and "legal". To define "terrorism" in general is to tar entire societies with that brush, for if everyone were honest, we as individuals terrorize one another on a daily basis. Case in point- the simple act of honking a horn in traffic. An elderly driver becomes frightened and causes a chain reaction accident resulting in the death of 2 persons, the destruction of 7 vehicles and the shutting down of commerce at that location for an extended period for the investigation of the "accident". When all details are considered, the person who used the horn, for what ever reason did cause fear and destruction. That is one definition of "terrorist act". The weapon was a simple toot on a horn, the "unintended consequenses" were the elderly person's loss of control and fear. Whom caused the accident? the elderly person, or the person who created death and destruction by terrorizing that elderly person?
We think of "terrorism" in such grandiose terms as "mass destruction", and forget- terror in any form is a direct result of at least one person, causing fear of any sort in the mind of another person. It is a pervasive and intrusive fact of life- when we lose respect for people for even an instant, we allow the law of "unintended Consequenses" to enter the situation and literally take control of that situation. Only by luck and the self control of that second person do we not see even more disasters among our general populations.
Terrorism is not definable in any general sense. To define it in detail would itself carry the "unintended Consequense" of becoming a work of law that would cause each and everone of us to face criminal prosecution for the slightest bit of fear we might instill in any other person's mind. No one is that perfect as to avoid it.