King George W Abolished Habeas Corpus!!!!!

Parent Cafe
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<p><a href=“http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15321167/[/url]”>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15321167/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15220450/from/RS.4/[/url]”>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15220450/from/RS.4/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>It has really gotten to the point that I can’t tell Keith Olberman from Colbert, except that Colbert seems saner. Seriously, just look at those pictures.</p>

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<p>Something this serious has happened and you’re making jokes?</p>

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<p>That’s because the man making the comments is a comedian.</p>

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<p>As usual, the “story” focuses on only part of the facts. First of all, habeas corpus is a relatively rarely used remedy to challenge a conviction or incarceration. Very popular on TV shows, but rarely used in practice.</p>

<p>Habeas corpus is only suspended for those detained as enemy combatants. Trials conducted by the military tribunal are subject to appellate review by two layers of military appeals. Then, the defendant can appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Finally, they can appeal from there to the U.S. Supreme Court. That is more appellate review than is available to one of our soldiers who faces a court martial. </p>

<p>There are very practical reasons for structuring things this way. If an enemy combatant is detained in order to prevent a terrorist attack, allowing access to habeas corpus would require the government to disclose the evidence leading to the detention, which could undermine efforts to apprehend the remainder of the cell or cells involved, and provide potentially damaging information on intelligence methods that would hinder future efforts.</p>

<p>Next, “King George” did not pass this bill – Congress did. He signed it into law. That’s how our system works. This has not been a secret. Did you write your Congressman or Senator and let them know your opposition?</p>

<p>Could this be abused? Absolutely, just like any other law. That is why there are the multiple layers of appellate review. However, comparing this bill to the incarceration of the Japanese and the confiscation of their property is way off base.</p>

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<p>

True, but Keith ‘The-beerman” is funnier–in a Kent Brockman sorta way (Simpsons). </p>

<p>I finally get the appeal of this guy. In an earlier thread when the married cheeky-babes were oohing and aahing over thebeerman, I thought they were hot for him, mawh! mawh! (without critiquing their husbands dwindling power to weaken knees) but now I get it. </p>

<p>The guy sends you off with a smile…and there’s nothing wrong with that.</p>

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<p>Why is it way off base? Because the government can now pick up any old “towel head” and throw him in jail, without recourse? Because a person (usually an Abu or a Mohammed) can be held indefinitely because the government “thinks” said person is a terrorist (even though most held at Gitmo aren’t) that person can be incarcerated forever, with no chance to hear his charges and to have a fair trial?</p>

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<p>Allmusic,</p>

<p>Same with you; if I can suspend disbelief while reading (I mean, in the possibility that you’re actually as indignant as you appear) your writing is really quite entertaining stuff. </p>

<p>I love liberal humor.</p>

<p>[edit: nobody can really be that angry all the time…can they?]</p>

<p>If I’m wrong about this, my sympathies.</p>

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<p>OG,</p>

<p>I’d feel a whole lot better if:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>This bill had received serious debate outside the RNC induced election related hysteria about terrorism, designed to take the focus off of Iraq.</p></li>
<li><p>The prez did not claim <strong>abosolute</strong> discretion in who is designated an enemy combatant.</p></li>
<li><p>This wasn’t the first time HB was suspended since the civil war.</p></li>
<li><p>If the wonderful legal protections you cite (civil court review AFTER “multiple layers” of appelate review) did not depend on someone being charged, which is not even required. So watta you do about the guy who is never even charged? He rots forever?)</p></li>
</ol>

<p>So gee, why don’t I feel better about all this?</p>

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<p>I think we should just extend this to all suspected criminals. I mean, if they’re suspected, they’re probably guilty and deserve whatever they get, right?</p>

<p>;)</p>

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<p>Yup, let’s round 'em on up! </p>

<p>I think this calls for a winky. ;)</p>

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<p>This is so unsettling. Given how much the BUsh administration has botched up this war why would we have any faith that they would only use this in extreme circumstances same as their blank check to torture. Where are our Senators and Congress? Why is no one challenging this lack of checks and balances? Especially with a King that has lied and showed himself to be less than competent. I’d feel better if I didn’t think Rums and Ch. were really running the show.</p>

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<p>"Why is no one challenging this lack of checks and balances? "</p>

<p>Well, let’s see … the Supreme Court made a ruling mandating that any treatment of terrorist prisoners had to come from Congress. Congress passed the law (with close to 2/3 majority in the Senate) and now the executive branch is empowered to uphold this law (but must report back to Congress on annual basis with respect to how it is using this law). Oh, and to complete the cycle of legislative life, the judicial branch will get another crack at whether the law that is passed meets Constitutional muster. Sounds like all branches were involved with the checks and balances to me … but perhaps I’m not aware of some new branch of the government. Perhaps the ACLU is now a recognized branch that was excluded from the loop.</p>

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<p>If I disappear somebody go looking around for me in Romania with Jose Padilla. I just know I’ve been too anti-Bush in the internet. They’ll be locking up us loudmouths as soon as they get the chance.</p>

<p>:(</p>

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<p>Sorry weenie, no secret flights to Romania for you. U.S. citizens are not eligible for the program. Ve hav udder vays to treat da likes uv you. (Think Barry Manilow … full volume … 24-7.)</p>

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<p>Und if zee Manilow not work, Veenie, zen you vill get zee Meow-mix commercial 24/7. Vee haf vays.</p>

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<p>With all due respect, fundingfather, I believe you are mistaken:</p>

<p>(from <a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Commissions_Act_of_2006[/url]”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Commissions_Act_of_2006&lt;/a&gt; )</p>

<p>Section 948a of title 10 of the United States Code, as added by the Act, defines an “unlawful enemy combatant” as:</p>

<pre><code>`(i) a person who has engaged in hostilities or who has purposefully and materially supported hostilities against the United States or its co-belligerents who is not a lawful enemy combatant (including a person who is part of the Taliban, al Qaeda, or associated forces); or

`(ii) a person who, before, on, or after the date of the enactment of the Military Commissions Act of 2006, has been determined to be an unlawful enemy combatant by a Combatant Status Review Tribunal or another competent tribunal established under the authority of the President or the Secretary of Defense.
</code></pre>

<p>==> This definition does not exclude American citizens. <== Prior to the enactment, the phrase “unlawful enemy combatant” was applied by the Bush administration to at least 3 American citizens. See John Walker Lindh, Jos</p>

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<p>Think about what’s happening here: we have a ‘president’ who says he wants to spread democracy & freedom, but then he takes away our own freedoms.</p>

<p>I think Americans have taken their freedoms for granted. We don’t know what it’s like to not have those freedoms.</p>

<p>I think this is appropriate here:</p>

<hr>

<p>First they came… is a poem attributed to Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group.</p>

<p>An early supporter of Hitler, by 1934 Niemöller had come to oppose the Nazis, and it was largely his high connections to influential and wealthy businessmen that saved him until 1937, after which he was imprisoned, eventually at Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camps. He survived to be a leading voice of penance and reconciliation for the German people after World War II. His poem is well-known, frequently quoted, and is a popular model for describing the phenomenon of social chaos, as it often begins with specific and targeted fear and hatred which soon escalates out of control.</p>

<p>They came first for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist.</p>

<p>Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.</p>

<p>Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.</p>

<p>Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.</p>

<p>Then they came for me,
and by that time no one was left to speak up.</p>

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<p>i dont think u understand who this enemy is. This government isnt cherry picking random people. Its not easyt to be chosen as an unlawful combatant.</p>

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<p>Maybe not yet.</p>

<p>But it’s a slippery slope.</p>