It wasn't enough for us to withdraw from the International Criminal Court. Now our country is dangerously close to enacting the American Servicemen's Protection Act, a chilling bit of legislation originally introduced by everyone's favorite Senator, Jesse Helms.

Under this Bill the US president would be authorized to use "all means necessary" to free US soldiers or officials detained or imprisoned by the court. According to this morning's NPR Morning Edition, the bill has passed both the House and Senate (albeit as a rider on a larger bill), and is now in conference committee.

Meanwhile, concerned citizens and politicians of the Netherlands are dubbing it the Hague Invasion Act, and not without cause. "All means necessary" is pretty chilling.

The ASPA has been knocking around since late 2001, and looked virtually dead when a streamlined version that primarily aimed to penalize nations that joined the ICC was signed by President Bush. Ironically, it is a Senate amendment opening the possibility of U.S. cooperation with the court that has brought the ASPA (and it's "Hague Invasion" provision) back to conference committee and the possibility of reaching Bush's desk.

The U.S. response to the outcry in the Netherlands? "Obviously, we cannot envisage circumstances under which the United States would need to resort to military action against the Netherlands or another ally."

Well, if we can't imagine it, why are we authorizing it?

If you'd like to take action, visit the Campaign to End Genocide for information on making activist contacts with your elected officials.