General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Senator Al Franken: Why I Voted Against the National Defense Authorization Act [View all]SaintPete
(533 posts)Both.
Apart from the RIDICULOUS $pending, the bill erodes our civil rights both through what it says (that the military has a requirement to detain certain folks, but no requirement to present evidence of their wrong doing, no requirement to provide a lawyer to the accused, and no requirement to allow the accused any defense) and for what it does not say --that the "authority" to detain certain folks does not apply to American citizens. Read it - the only thing that doesn't extend to Americans is this "requirement."
If you have no outrage over the former, then tell me why not? I thought that the rights enumerated in the Constitution were inalienable, and endowed at birth? Has that changed? Is it ok with you to treat some people as less than human, as long as you are treated fairly?
And if you still have no outrage over the former, then why no outrage over the latter? Doesn't it sicken you to know that the government believes it has the AUTHORITY to violate your 4th and 5th amendment, even if they choose to not require the military to act on that bogus authority?
If none of this causes you outrage, then for god's sake what the hell WILL cause you outrage?
Oh wait....
Let me criticize President Obama...I'm sure THAT will stir up a little "outrage"...