Tuesday, December 20, 2011

The Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment...

...of the U.S. Constitution.

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the pace to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."

"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature an cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense."

In the Senate's National Defense Authorization Act (voted approved on Tuesday) , a provision allowed the military to detain terrorism suspects on U.S. soil and hold them indefinitely without trial.

It applies to citizens and non-citizens.

In other words, a terrorism suspect would get just one hearing where the military could assert that the person is a suspected terrorist.  That "suspect" could then be locked up for life, without ever formally being charged.  It allows the military to hold suspected terrorists indefinitely without a trial or due process.  These "terrorists" (I use quotations because, really, who actually defines what a terrorist is?  Is it Al Qaida?  Is it someone attempting to blow up a building?  Is is someone protesting a bank?  How about someone who argues against a public figure? Who makes this call?  And what political party are they affiliated with?) The only waiver is from the Secretary of Defense.


Oh, good.  I thought the Bill of Rights were endowed unto us by our Creator.  I guess the Secretary of Defense has a direct line to the Almighty.


This bill passed the U.S. Senate by a vote of 93 to 7.  Yup, just 7 Senators objected to a direct violation to the U.S. Constitution.

Does the Senate actually read the Constitution?  Or do they just pass laws to get reelected, knowing that the Supreme Court will correct their stupidity mistake?

But what if the Supreme Court doesn't correct such an affront to our basic Constitutional rights?

Oh, I know.


No comments:

Post a Comment