Today, a bill has passed the House and is expected to be passed by the Senate that will authorize torture, suspend the Geneva Convention, and eliminate Habeus Corpus - the most fundamental civil right that has been a cornerstone of the rule of law since the signing of the Magna Carta. Rather than being a shameful epioside in American legislature - a bill passed furtively in late-night sessions and never spoken of to the press - this has become a focus point of the coming election. Republicans are running on the platform that they are for torture, and against the rule of law - and America is falling for it.
What happened to my America? What happened to the country that went to war reluctantly, and always with nobility and decency? What happened to the country that above all guaranteed baisc freedoms and upheld the rule of law? What happened to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"? I am confounded by the incredible turn of events that has lead to this pass - when small-minded corrupt politicians bray about the triumph of torture, the death of one of the most fundamental rights in Western civilization, and use that very same shit-stained brush to smear their counterparts who are trying to preserve America as the nation I served, fought for - was willing to die for, if necessary?
This is too much. If you're not involved with local elections, get involved. These rascals have to be run out of office - or the fundamental identity of America as based on the values on which it was founded is imperiled. Whatever it takes, friends - don't be complacent, don't content yourself to just vote! Spend your time, spend your money - give of yourself to preserve what was once the noblest nation on earth, and may yet be again. I am ashamed of this law, and can only pray that the cooler heads in the Senate will strike it down - it is the very opposite of what I believe my country stands for. It is not terrorists who need to fear this law - it's American citizens who want to live in a country that stands for actual freedom, legitimate rule of law, rather than rule of the majority - and most importantly, a nation which does not condone, legalize, endorse, or practice torture. We are not a nation of torturers! We are not a nation of secret cells from which there is no escape, no process, and no accountability! There will be no gulags in America, no torture rooms, no camps and black hoods - not here, not where I live, not in my country, my America.
Please don't make me do this alone.
What happened to my America? What happened to the country that went to war reluctantly, and always with nobility and decency? What happened to the country that above all guaranteed baisc freedoms and upheld the rule of law? What happened to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"? I am confounded by the incredible turn of events that has lead to this pass - when small-minded corrupt politicians bray about the triumph of torture, the death of one of the most fundamental rights in Western civilization, and use that very same shit-stained brush to smear their counterparts who are trying to preserve America as the nation I served, fought for - was willing to die for, if necessary?
This is too much. If you're not involved with local elections, get involved. These rascals have to be run out of office - or the fundamental identity of America as based on the values on which it was founded is imperiled. Whatever it takes, friends - don't be complacent, don't content yourself to just vote! Spend your time, spend your money - give of yourself to preserve what was once the noblest nation on earth, and may yet be again. I am ashamed of this law, and can only pray that the cooler heads in the Senate will strike it down - it is the very opposite of what I believe my country stands for. It is not terrorists who need to fear this law - it's American citizens who want to live in a country that stands for actual freedom, legitimate rule of law, rather than rule of the majority - and most importantly, a nation which does not condone, legalize, endorse, or practice torture. We are not a nation of torturers! We are not a nation of secret cells from which there is no escape, no process, and no accountability! There will be no gulags in America, no torture rooms, no camps and black hoods - not here, not where I live, not in my country, my America.
Please don't make me do this alone.
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Comments
Habeus Corpus is a fundamental right in American jurisprudence - and the Constitution guarantees due process to every American, or anyone detained on American soil or by the American government.
That's not propaganda brother - those are laws. Those are explicit rights that the American government used to defend. That American soldiers used to defend. That American politicians used to defend.
Today, we strike down those laws - and then try and portray people who have lived a life in service to America as supporting terrorists more than their constituents if they disagree. I am apalled that this ludicrous claim is not so risible on the face of it that any fool uttering it is not immediately branded as an idiot unfit to be responsible for dressing themselves, much less leading the nation.
As it is, for the last few years, I've been voting, conflictedly, Democrat. Because after September 11th, anti-Bush is more important to me than my own beliefs.
I think that says a lot.
That's just fact. It's been suspended on a few occasions, but never outright repealed.
http://wilwheaton.typepad.com/wwdnbackup/2006/09/a_statement_of_.html
The promises weren't all kept, obviously. However, the fact that things such as slavery, genocide, and internment camps stain our history does NOT mean that we should simply be satisfied with the conclusion: "America sucks. Oh well. Hey, look. It's getting shittier. Go figure."
The best form of patriotism is passionate dissonance; if your country is lousy, struggle to make it better. Be accepting and well-aware of your countries weaknesses, expose them, and fix them.
America was never perfect, but it wasn't always this way. I say we fight.
On a somewhat related note: "Terrorists? That's what the big army calls the little army!" - Wolverine, Secret Wars
I'll just toss out that loud music and standing up are now considered torture and that none of our enemies since WW2 have followed the Geneva Conventions. Not that that will allay anyone's fears that America is lost, doomed, the end times are here, we must fight back, and the prescience of Wolverine in "Secret Wars."
The behavior of our enemies is not the standard by which we should judge ourselves. If you believe it is, I dearly hope you are never given any authority, and that no one ever listens to a word you say.
Lastly - Habeas Corpus. Rule of law. Effectively over! One hopes you don't agree with that.
What I am saying is that- It has only been the past hundred years or so that law enforcement has regularly regulated its self and political watch groups and the media started blowing whistles on corrupt officials and illegal military activates. And even with those watch dogs in place prisoner and human rights still get trampled on, especially in the south.
And yes I firmly believe that Bush is responsible for dragging us back into the dark ages where the king does what he wants and screw the rest of the government and citizens. That is why no one should ever vote for anyone like him ever again. Also, we should feed him to the zombies. That would be fair, eaten by the very people he leads!
That doesn't logically follow. Slaves, Indians, women - they all should have had equal protection under the law - it's right there in the Constitution. That they didn't is a failure and a shame - but not an excuse to return to a less-fair time - or worse, to suspend those rights all together.