Ginny ([personal profile] groovychk) wrote2006-10-06 12:32 am
Entry tags:

The end of our Bill of Rights is looming (not kidding, sadly)

Look at this folks.
This just might be the Bill that killed us.

Military Commissions Act of 2006 - House Version
Status:
Passed House (96% of Republicans supporting, 83% of Democrats opposing.)
This bill has been passed in the House. The bill now goes on to be voted on in the Senate.

Military Commissions Act of 2006 - Senate Version
<td>Status:</td><td>
Sent to President
Having passed in both the House and Senate, this bill now awaits the signature of the President before becoming law.
</td>

--

How ironic that the Senate sponsor of the Bill is a Senator from Virginia (John Warner).
Birthplace of Thomas Jefferson.
Even if you are a Bush supporter you need to realize the implications here - and to realize that intent, even supposing that his administration's intent is good, is not what's important. The law is.
This makes me very sad.

What are the implications?

The Act gives the Executive branch permission to detain American citizens. Section 948a of the Military Commissions Act of 2006 defines "unlawful enemy combatant" as "an individual engaged in hostilities against the United States who is not a lawful enemy combatant." That includes everyone. There is nothing about it being a foreigner.

What exactly constitutes "hostilities" is open to interpretation by the Executive branch and can, technically, be anything.

Congress, by voting in favor of the Military Commissions Act of 2006, hands to the President of the United States the right to interpret, without Congressional oversight, the Geneva Conventions, to waive the right of habeas corpus (basically - your rights), to authorize the use of information gathered through torture, and to, in effect, establish a separate judicial system that will be run out of the White House, willfully giving up powers that until now were reserved for the legislative and judicial branches of the government.

I know it seems pointless but please, please, please send an e-mail to your representatives. Tell them that you disapprove of what is being done. It's passed - yes - but speak up. Just an e-mail. Doesn't have to be complicated. Just to the point and civil. These guys are supposed to work for us. Don't be afraid to tell them what you think. Do it while you still can. Do something. Don't let freedom die silently.

[identity profile] xaminmo.livejournal.com 2006-10-10 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
Hey, your html is broken and it causes your post to show up at the top of my friends page without user information.

And the US is a Facist autocracy. It's been noticibly progressing further since Bush took office. DHS was the beginning. There are 2 solutions. A powerful replacement for the president, or massive civil unrest.

Everyone is waiting.

[identity profile] groovychk.livejournal.com 2006-10-10 06:55 am (UTC)(link)
Not sure what is up on the html. looks fine.