Rantings of a New Yorker

President George Bush will sign into law the Military Commissions Act on Tuesday, abolishing many rights that were specifically given in the US Constitution. Anyone that the American government now deems an unlawful enemy combatant will be jailed. Right now, this only applies to non-US citizens. If you are a permanent resident in the United States, you can be subjected to this new law.

This Act sets the powers of the Executive Branch outside the jurisdiction of the Judicial branch, breaking the delicate checks and balances system that Americans rely on. The Executive Branch is supposed to uphold the law, not see how far he can push it before it breaks. Although this legislation is unconstitutional, will the Supreme Court act judicially or will it take a non-citizen, who can be held up to a year before Habeas Corpus kicks in, to stand up and fight for what Americans should be outraged over?

Not concerned yet because this is something that just affects non-Americans? Are you happy with the unlawful detainment of people, simply because they don’t carry the same citizenship as you? Is it a good thing that we will now have prison camps on American soil for mostly innocent people? Does it make you proud that these people can be tortured, so long as we don’t call it that? Is it a good thing that these people have no right to find out what they are being charged with because the government is no longer obliged to have to reveal this information? How about using the information they “coerced” out of these people against them in a military court?

What does this law really do?

It re-establishes Bush’s military tribunals, something the Supreme Court has already ruled unconstitutional.

War crimes committed before December 30, 2005 are now legalized.

If you were harmed by the USA in any way that violates the Geneva Convention, you cannot file a claim in an American Court.

If you are a legal citizen of the USA and are deemed an enemy combatant you no longer have the right to challenge your detention. Guantanomo detainees are also now all guilty.

Torture is legal, just don’t call it that. Waterboarding is legal.

I highly suggest you read Nick Szabo’s two articles on Habeas Corpus.

I’m now planning on buying a gun. I’ve never had the need for one as I live in a relatively safe place and don’t have to worry too much about crime. However, how long will it be before the right to bear arms is declared illegal? You can call me paranoid all you want but, the fact is, President Bush is stripping our rights one by one and I will not be caught with my pants down. If you enter my home and you weren’t invited, prepared to meet your maker.

“I would rather be exposed to the inconvenience attending too much Liberty than those attending too small degree of it.” -Thomas Jefferson.

“They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security.” – Benjamin Franklin.

Yes, they are old and tired quotes but they are still relevant and you should be just as pissed as me about the loss of Habeas Corpus.