Our forefathers were wise enough to hand us down a constitution with a Bill of Rights*. Fear of the legitimate threat of terrorism from extreme elements around the world is allowing us to be weak on protecting our most cherished gift we possess as Americans; our freedoms as set forth in our constitution and its amendments. We’re allowing ourselves to be taken advantage of by those who would desire to see our freedoms lessened for their own lustful purposes. For the first time in our history we are in a period of retreat from civil rights and the respect for the dignity of humanity. The Constitution and Bill of Rights is under assault from this administration.
.
From the mouth of our former Attorney General, “…the Constitution doesn't say that every individual in the United States or every citizen has or is assured the right of habeas corpus. It doesn't say that. It simply says that the right of habeas corpus shall not be suspended.”
Alberto Gonzales
.
The Habeas Corpus Act 1679 ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_Corpus_Act_1679 ) came into being during the reign of King Charles II of England. It was adopted into our own constitution where it states, “The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.”
.
These words from Gonzales (the torture czar) are frightening and un-American. It’s another reason why investigations leading to impeaching both the president and vice-president would be a wise and necessary action which would begin to repair our damaged democracy.
.
An opportunity to restore habeas corpus to the lofty level it once held in this country was defeated by Senate Republicans on 20 Sept. 07, http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00340
.
Posse comitatus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posse_Comitatus_Act ) has been damaged considerably by the 109th Congress by sneaking in a provision for the president to be able to use the military as a police force. To quote the New York Times, “Beyond cases of actual insurrection, the president may now use military troops as a domestic police force in response to a natural disaster, a disease outbreak, terrorist attack or to any “other condition.”This is another power grab by the Bush administration and giant step forward to total control by the executive branch.
.
The New York Times
Making Martial Law Easier
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/19/opinion/19mon3.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
.
Statement Of Sen. Patrick Leahy
On Legislation To Repeal Changes To The Insurrection Act (S. 513)
February 7, 2007
http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200702/020707.html
.
Because of our fear we have ignored the fact that we were attacked by a group of predominately Saudi Arabian men on 9-11. They were from a violently radical Islamic fundamentalist organization named Al Qaeda. But Bush and his cohorts have decided to lead the nation away from those who attacked us. Instead we’ve been duped into raging war against a tactic. An unending war against a nameless and faceless foe called ‘terrorist’. This fear was used as a method against the American public as an excuse for an ill-advised war of choice and subsequent bloody occupation in Iraq. It’s the excuse for the horror this Neocon dominated administration is about to unleash on Iran.
.
.
I love the flag but I hate what these right wing ideologs have done to it. Our fathers and grandfathers fought under this flag in WWII defeating fascism in Europe. 400,000+ American lives were lost during that struggle.
This same flag is now being dirtied because it is being used as a banner for creeping fascism in our own country. I’m talking about the Neocons running our nation. They do not embrace Hitler’s, Mussolini’s, Franco’s, or anyone else’s version of fascism. They are fooling with their own Neoconservative version. It’s not fully realized but they already fit many descriptions of fascism.Fascism has been a disaster in every country it has existed in. Ours would be no exception. These people who have welcomed this filthy ideology have disgraced our flag and our forefather’s sacrifices. They must be stopped.
.
.
Fascist America, in 10 easy steps
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2064157,00.html
Why is fascism so tempting to so many people who consider themselves good? Christians often get caught up in its lies. It happened during 1930’s Germany and sadly during the present situation here in the U.S.
Now the Bushies have embraced their own private army called Blackwater. It is a disgrace and a danger for any democracy to harbor a private army within its borders tasked with missions in and out of the nation with an allegiance not to the country it belongs but to those who pay for its services and subject to few laws if any at all.
Here follows much information on this infamous group.
.
Blackwater USA
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Blackwater_USA
.
Blackwater: Shadow Army
Blackwater, America's Private Army
Mercenaries killing innocent civilians
from Democracy Now! ( http://www.democracynow.org/ )a three part report...
Iraq Blackwater shooting of civilians?!
*
Amendment 1
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment 2
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment 3
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment 4
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment 5
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment 6
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Amendment 7
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment 8
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment 9
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment 10
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
No comments:
Post a Comment