(Untitled)

[indigoblood]

I wanted to say something about what has just happened to our country.

I have nothing to say.

habeas corpus. habeas corpus.

I want to have something to say.

Comments

[sol_invictus_99]

What did I miss?

[indigoblood]

You missed that the latest torture bill--not in subtle implication, but in flat-out declaration--eliminates the right of habeas corpus for anyone the executive decides doesn't deserve it, regardless of who they are.

It is now literally and unambiguously legal for any US citizen to be held indefinitely without trial, evidence, charge, any indication where they are, oversight on how they're treated, etc, or what have you.

This does not mean I think people are going to start getting disappeared tomorrow. That's not the point.

The point is that a basic principle of just government held sacred since fucking 1215 has just been signed away. This distresses me.

Maybe the Court will kill it quick for its flagrant illegality (suspension only being permitted in times of rebellion or invasion), but we'll see.

[sol_invictus_99]

Yes, even from my Draconian perspective it sets a dangerous precedent. Maybe some bastards deserve torture, but only after a trial. Hmmm... well maybe I see a new line of work ahead for me with the government, eh? Ha Ha.

I doubt somehow that this will last - let's hope not.

[catalystparadox]

There go the last EIGHT CENTURIES of civil rights progress. I guess the Inquisition is coming soon, right? Some witch trials? Or have those already started?

[indigoblood]

Heh--I'm just thinking of that douche Specter saying "This will set us back 900 years" and then voting for the damn thing.

[indigoblood]

I'm also remembering a remark Gabe made last night, regarding certain folks who don't have a problem with this bill--

"These are the same people who don't trust the government with their money."

I am not a crook

[grandmastersuck]

I personally do not see whats wrong with it. Our senator here in Maine, Snowe, did not vote on the issue. So it is not anything I should have to worry about. Only terrorists have to fear

Re: I am not a crook

[indigoblood]

Seriously though,it only applies to non-citizens caught outside the US

No, actually. It doesn't.

It applies to anyone declared an "unlawful enemy combatant" or a supporter of unlawful enemy combatants by a "tribunal established under the authority of the President or the Secretary of Defense." This does, in fact, include US citizens, as well as foreigners who are in the US legally or illegally, or folks caught outside the US. I'm not saying it says "anybody we don't like" but it also doesn't protect any class of people or give any really precise criteria that are subject to oversight by anyone outside of the military or the executive branch.

Also, the Civil War was a rebellion.

This is neither rebellion nor invasion. Is there an army of enemy troops holding territory on our soil? Gee, no, there isn't.

Nothing personal at all, but people keep bringing the Lincoln thing up, and for God's sake, there's a subtle fucking difference between clearly Constitutional and clearly not.