"Qualified Aliens" Can Transport Explosives Around The USA?

[shance]

Apparently this has been a law for a couple of years?

How does this 'deter' terrorism in any way?


Modification of Authorities on Explosive Materials

The new 2004 Intelligence Authorization Act contains an disturbing section on allowing "qualified aliens" to transport "explosive materials" within the United States.

This would allow the CIA and the US Military to train foreign paramilitary forces on US soil. Whether or not this is something which America should do (I don't think it should), this should at least be a matter of public debate. It should not be thrown in the middle of a boilerplate House bill with nary a word. Why aren't the Democrats hitting Bush on this? I'm a Republican and I think this is an outrage.

The following is the complete text of section 332:
SEC. 332. MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITIES ON EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS.

(a) AUTHORITY TO DISTRIBUTE EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS TO QUALIFIED ALIENS- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall be lawful for any person knowingly to distribute explosive materials to any qualified alien--
(1) if, in the case of a qualified alien described in subsection (c)(1), the distribution to, shipment to, transportation to, receipt by, or possession by the alien of the explosive materials is in furtherance of such cooperation; or

(2) if, in the case of a qualified alien described in subsection (c)(2), the distribution to, shipping to, transporting to, possession by, or receipt by the alien of explosive materials is in furtherance of the authorized military purpose.

(b) AUTHORITY FOR QUALIFIED ALIENS TO SHIP EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall be lawful for a qualified alien to ship or transport any explosive in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or to receive or possess any explosive which has been shipped or transported in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce--
(1) if, in the case of a qualified alien described in subsection (c)(1), the possession, shipment, or transportation by the alien of the explosive materials is in furtherance of such cooperation; or

(2) if, in the case of a qualified alien described in subsection (c)(2), the possession, shipment, or transportation by the alien of explosive materials is in furtherance of the authorized military purpose.

http://phaedo.blogspot.com/2003_06_22_phaedo_archive.html