“Do you or your organization directly or indirectly advocate, advise, teach or practice the duty or necessity of controlling, seizing or overthrowing the government of the United States, the state of South Carolina or any political division thereof?”
If so, fill out a “Subversive Agent Form,” listing your organisation’s core beliefs and the names of all your members, and send it along with $5 to the South Carolina secretary of state.
I am not making this up. I can’t tell whether this form is genuine, but the enabling legislation certainly is. (CHT Kevin Carson.)
If one doesn’t think it’s a duty — just a generally good idea — does one need to register? Inquiring minds want to know!
“necessity of controlling, seizing or overthrowing the government of the United States”
Wouldn’t the “controlling” part make this applicable to all political parties?
The legislation talks about doing it by force or illegal means (not that that exempts the electoral method! — but clearly it’s intended to), but the form doesn’t.
Then again, the form’s authenticity is less clear than the legislation’s.
One might interpret this section as excluding political parties:
“The terms of this chapter do not apply to any labor union or religious, fraternal or patriotic organization, society or association, or their members, whose objectives and aims do not contemplate the overthrow of the government of the United States, of this State or of any political subdivision thereof by force or violence or other unlawful means.”
Of course contradictory and secret laws are advantageous for the government since it means they can apply whatever they like whenever they like. Where is Locke when ya need him?
Oops, I replied to Michael before seeing your post.
If I want to overthrow the government through mass civil disobedience, that’s not “force or violence.” And my legal advisor (a Mr. Spooner from Boston) says it’s not “unlawful” either. So I’m off the hook! (In addition to not living in South Carolina.)
Oh, Roderick you are so inspirational. Look what you have wrought:
http://radgeek.com/gt/2010/02/09/civic-duties/
RadGeek rules!