Military Commissions Act into law today trampling on the very document that holds the Republic together. Our Constitution since its inception has guaranteed the right of everyone to file for Habeas Corpus (in other words the legal petition that has been around since at least the 12th Century that says the state must try you or let you go but can’t hold you forever without trial). The new act also allows for our government to deny people the right to trial, forces those declared “enemy combatants” to stand before Secret Courts, suppresses evidence that might clear them, and allows evidence gathered under severe circumstances including torture.
In addition the President gets to declare someone a “terrorist” or “enemy combatant” at his whim.
“Great, you say, “we’ll get some terrorist scum!”
“Not so,” says I, “ANYONE, including you or I, can be declared a “terrorist” under the new act all it takes if for the Prez to say so.”
“Well that will never happen,” you say.
“Really,” says I? “I suggest you look into what President Lincoln did during the civil war when he suspended Habeas Corpus.” ]]>
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