Treason, Five Dollars

So, are you seeking to rebel against the United States Government? Want to take the place over? Better head to Columbia, SC and fill out a registration form first:

The state's "Subversive Activities Registration Act," passed last year and now officially on the books, states that "every member of a subversive organization, or an organization subject to foreign control, every foreign agent and every person who advocates, teaches, advises or practices the duty, necessity or propriety of controlling, conducting, seizing or overthrowing the government of the United States ... shall register with the Secretary of State."

There's even a $5 filing fee.

By "subversive organization," the law means "every corporation, society, association, camp, group, bund, political party, assembly, body or organization, composed of two or more persons, which directly or indirectly advocates, advises, teaches or practices the duty, necessity or propriety of controlling, conducting, seizing or overthrowing the government of the United States [or] of this State."

This would be hilarious if it didn't sound so McCarthyish. What, exactly, does "controlling" the government of the United States entail? Isn't that what political parties do? I understand the law's intent, but one wonders how easily it might be misinterpreted.

(Via Brayton)