If this was done by Bush, liberals in the US would be an uproar: this is an incredible violation of the 1st amendment

Where is the outrage??  Let me give you a take on this lousy undemocratic order: an American who flies to Syria to fight with the Bin Ladenite gangs in Syria is consistent with US laws, while an American who opposes the Yemeni dictatorship and who works for democracy in Yemen can be punished by the US government for "spoiling the transition" in Yemen.  "President Obama plans to issue an executive order Wednesday giving the Treasury Department authority to freeze the U.S.-based assets of anyone who “obstructs” implementation of the administration-backed political transition in Yemen.  The unusual order, which administration officials said also targets U.S. citizens who engage in activity deemed to threaten Yemen’s security or political stability, is the first issued for Yemen that does not directly relate to counterterrorism.  Unlike similar measures authorizing terrorist designations and sanctions, the new order does not include a list of names or organizations already determined to be in violation. Instead, one official said, it is designed as a “deterrent” to “make clear to those who are even thinking of spoiling the transition” to think again.  The official was authorized to discuss the new order on the condition of anonymity." (thanks Jeremy)