On July 17, George W. Bush signed into law, by executive order, an amendment to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. First declared on May 22, 2003, Executive Order 13303 was expanded with Executive Order 13315 on August 28, 2003 and additional liberties were taken with Executive Order 13350 on July 29, 2004 and Executive Order 13364 on November 29, 2004.

The most recent amendment to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) dictates that "...all property, and interests in property of people in the United States, or that come within the possession or control of United States citizens to be blocked, prohibiting resources be transferred, paid, exported, or withdrawn, once determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, after consulting with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense."

Most ominous the wording of those threatening the peace or stability of Iraq, the Government of Iraq, or undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq." Team Bush also singles out those blocking humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people.

In other words, the new revisions will make protesting the occupation of Iraq a criminal act, without prior notice of listing or determination, to be in violation of the IEEPA, unless terminated by Congressional resolution. The IEEPA falls under the provisions of the National Emergencies Act, which must be renewed annually to remain in effect.

Not clarified in the Bush Executive Order is any measurable way to define what would be considered to be "threatening the peace and stability of Iraq," or what it means to "undermine Iraqi reconstruction." And excuse me for pointing out the obvious, but it seems the only American citizens threatening the peace and stability of Iraq are closely associated with the Bush Administration.

And could someone please explain how unilaterally invading a sovereign nation, bombing its infrastructure, disbanding its government and military in order to occupy that nation in order to privatize that nations oil resources for the benefit of western corporate interests, and the Saudi monarchy does not undermine the stability of Iraq.

Californians and other citizens of the United States of North America, must now come to terms with a rogue Presidential administration purposely defying the will of the U.S. Citizens, in order to silence critics and those opposing the administration's Machiavellian schemes in the Middle East.

The inability or unwillingness of the current Democrat controlled Congress to prevent the Bush Administration's latest efforts to undermine civil liberties, will be a clear assessment of the state of the union.

The Executive Order: Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq is as vague as it is scary. It is also completely unconstitutional in that it aims to curb free speech under the fear of economic sanctions.

In the shadow of a looming police state, free speech and the right to gather in peaceful protest is now more important than ever. The Bush Administration is out of control, and the federal government, now just a corporate tool, can no longer be trusted to represent the best interests of the American people in any way, shape, or form.

The Bush administration occupation of Iraq, and its continuing goal of destabilization, is not only a war crime and a crime against humanity, it is also threatening the very cohesiveness of the United States, and no amount of Executive Orders will change that.

Free Iraq!