General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: "Obama Prepares to Authorize Indefinite Detention of US Citizens for First Time Since McCarthy Era" [View all]agentS
(1,325 posts)1) Fear politics- The bill passed with such a high margin that it would be overrode in the Senate. The Senators are going into an election year and don't want to be hit with 30 second attack ads that make them out to be weak on "protecting America and whatever bullshit" that people fall for. The president is in a similar situation, though he doesn't have the 'fear' angle- he has the 'relevancy' angle.
2) The bill is not as bad as everybody makes it out to be. The military isn't going to be throwing OWS protesters into GITMO because bankers said so and other nonsense.
There was an excellent critique on C&L the other day.
http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/confused-about-ndaa-and-detention-provision
I still think the existence of GITMO is the bigger issue.
Though, as slow moving as teh wheels are in the States, it may take a middle class white guy dying in GITMO (or getting the Pyramid) before enough momentum is made to get people angry enough to demand the change.