This is not funny.

Constitution, revised

When I was in school, there were two things that I was told made America the best country in the world: we’d never waged a war on anyone aggressively (which was already easily debatable at the time, but still actually debatable and not a transparent lie) and you couldn’t be imprisoned without the due process of arrest, accusation, speedy trial, and conviction.

We were told that this is because the Constitution of the United States is a flexible but inviolable document subject to representative review and judicial interpretation that stemmed from that due process.

So, let’s take count:

  • Unjust, unprovoked, and morally bankrupt war? You betcha.
  • Lack of due process? Holy shit.

So, this is designed to get terrorists, right? And does it define what a terrorist is, and how we can make sure that we’ve got one when we do?

Well, we’re not allowed to know.

0 thoughts on “This is not funny.”

  1. I’m pissed. And scared.

    The proponents of this crap say: “You’re soft on terrorists!” And then I want to choke them and tell them that we’re talking about suspects here. Their guilt hasn’t been proven. The government could come and arrest anyone as an enemy combatant.

    Bye bye democratic republic. Say hello to the Decidership.

  2. I’m just flabbergasted that this is OK by anybody. I mean, the purpose of due process is so that you make you you got the right guy! It’s so you actually know what happened!

    Obviously, facts are not of great consequence to our Republican leadership.

  3. This law is a monster that turns America into what we were fighting in the Cold War and WWII…a land of seecret prisons, torture and indefinite arrests without charge or recourse. It can also be turned upon *anyone* at the President’s whim. Whatm, beyond logistics, is to stop him simply declaring all registered Democrats as “enemy combatants” and locking them all up forever? Or any American? Ask Padilla.
    While it may be overreacting, it feels like America dies with this law.

  4. I’m trying to wrap my head around this. I mean, can we have really fallen so far?

    I’m just… I don’t know what to say, or do, but my genes say “run.”

  5. There’s “run.” Then there’s “fight.”

    We need a Congress that’ll hold these people accountable. Not just Democrats, but progressive Democrats.

    Give money. Give time. Give volunteering efforts. I’ve found that DailyKos.com is a very good resource for finding out how we can fight to take back control of this country.

  6. Christian, I feel like we did that in 2004. It made no difference in the face of the amount of money and power brought to bear.

    I want to believe that this can work, that the tide can be turned and America can take control of its government again. This has shaken me badly, though.

  7. Much lies to blame with the way judges are appointed. They should be appointed by merit, not because of politics and political agenda.

    Our (Israel) Supreme Court of Law is often decried as “Lefty”, “Activist” and often revokes the decisions of our house of representatives. New members? More of the same. But about half the votes belong to people who are related to the issue professionally.
    It also doesn’t hurt that we have more than a dozen parties.

  8. I have never idealized America, but it frightens me that this is happening at all. This shouldn’t be happening. Anywhere. And by the dark murmurings I’m hearing in other countries I am close to, it may be spreading.

  9. I think something can be great. I think America can be great. But this — this removes all possibility.

    Will this law stand? By God, I hope not.

    If the events of September 11, 2001, have proven anything, it’s that the terrorists can attack us, but they can’t take away what makes us American – our freedom, our liberty, our civil rights. No, only Attorney General John Ashcroft can do that. -Jon Stewart

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