Following in the footsteps of the Federal Government, New York has redefined gang activity as “terrorism” in order to impose higher prison sentences on gang members and give the police new tools for cracking down on gang crimes. Look for more states and local governments to follow suit and claim they are “fighting terrorism” any time they need an excuse to give the police new powers. Eventually those who express dissident political opinions or aggressively challenge the regime’s policies can expect to face prosecution for committing acts of terrorism.
8:30 pm on December 30, 2004