This is astounding, and not in a remotely good way. I know we
occasionally get crap like this from some of the fringes of Congress
(usually the House), but when two powerful and senior senators propose
absolutely gutting the protections from tyrannical government that we
have, we have reached a sad state. So much for Obama’s election and the
Democratic (so-called) majorities in both houses pulling us back from
the road to fascism.
Please spread this far and wide. No one, whether conservative, liberal,
libertarian—hell, anything but authoritarian, fascist and Nazi—should
allow this the least chance to pass. Call, write, e-mail, send carrier
pigeons to and otherwise let your congressmen know where you stand on
this.
Sent to you by Pierce via Google Reader: Aww, who needs those pesky
principles of justice anyway? via Pharyngula on 5/16/10
Have you heard about the Enemy Belligerent Interrogation, Detention and
Prosecution Act?
Meanwhile, the bill recently introduced by Joe Lieberman and John
McCain — the so-called “Enemy Belligerent Interrogation, Detention and
Prosecution Act” — now has 9 co-sponsors, including the newly elected
Scott Brown. It’s probably the single most extremist, tyrannical and
dangerous bill introduced in the Senate in the last several decades,
far beyond the horrific, habeas-abolishing Military Commissions Act. It
literally empowers the President to imprison anyone he wants in his
sole discretion by simply decreeing them a Terrorist suspect –
including American citizens arrested on U.S. soil. The bill requires
that all such individuals be placed in military custody, and explicitly
says that they “may be detained without criminal charges and without
trial for the duration of hostilities against the United States or its
coalition partners,” which everyone expects to last decades, at least.
It’s basically a bill designed to formally authorize what the Bush
administration did to American citizen Jose Padilla — arrest him on
U.S. soil and imprison him for years in military custody with no
charges.
If this bill passes, may I suggest that, since it does undermine the
rule of law and does great damage to the republic, that the first
persons charged under its provisions be the despicable McCain and
Lieberman? Won’t they be surprised!
Of course, since we do respect the rule of law, I suggest that everyone
write to their congresspeople and tell them that you oppose this bill.
Save McCain and Lieberman from the fate of Danton and Robespierre!
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