National Defense Authorization Act

[TropicCat]

If you thought I was pissed at Washington before today, you should see me now. The Senate just went officially insane and passed the 'National Defense Authorization Act' by the vote of 60-38.

What's got me riled up is the provision in the bill to let the military detain terrorism suspects on U.S. soil and hold them indefinitely without trial, even if they are Americans. The way the bill is written, a terrorism suspect would get just one hearing where the military could assert that the person is a suspected terrorist -- and then they could be locked up for life, without ever formally being charged.

No due process, no constitutional rights. No charges are necessary. Congress has essentially authorized the indefinite imprisonment of American citizens, without charge. In short, throwing our Constitution under the bus.

I've known for a while that our Senators were out of touch with reality, but hardly expected this. Whether you are a conservative or a liberal, this concerns all of us. This can not stand.

The FBI Director Robert Mueller, the Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and the White House all wrote letters to congressional leaders advising them not to do this. The letters were ignored.

Does the Senate know we have a Constitution? Do they know it guarantees Americans 'due process' ?? Who the hell do these people think they are?

[WouldaShoulda]

Originally Posted by TropicCat

Does the Senate know we have a Constitution? Do they know it guarantees Americans 'due process' ?? Who the hell do these people think they are?

Lincoln??

[joelsanda]

This is truly alarming. You're spot on about this - we went to sleep in the US last night and woke up in a different place.

[WouldaShoulda]

Originally Posted by joelsanda

This is truly alarming. You're spot on about this - we went to sleep in the US last night and woke up in a different place.

Gitmo??

[PaulfromNWOnt]

Quick!!! Somebody call Fox news!!!

Seriously though, my concern is whether or not anyone would even know if someone were detained under this legislation, or what level of suspicion is required.

[Rick486]

One of the great things about our military is they don't use words like "suspected", or "perpetrator", or "Miranda". If someone is a terrorist they are the enemy, period. And since the military has no law enforcement role within the geographic boundaries of the US, any US citizen held by the military would have been captured elsewhere, like maybe Afghanistan or Iraq, trying to kill our soldiers. I only hope the new law also provides for terrorists captured by law enforcement within the US to be turned over to the military. Certainly should discourage crazies from becoming involved in terrorism within the US.

[SloopJonB]

Originally Posted by WouldaShoulda

Lincoln??

Woulda, are you campaigning for "Craziest f#@ker on Sailnet" or something? Your most recent posts are getting WAY too far into tinfoil hat territory, verging on sounding like the late, unlamented Ragnar.

Might I suggest a short regimen of Prozac?

[Alibaba]

Originally Posted by joelsanda

T we went to sleep in the US last night and woke up in a different place.

We went to sleep beleiveing in the Amerian Dream and woke up to part 2 of the Amerian Nightmare..

The Amrican Dream.. You have to be Asleep if your still beleive in it..

[TropicCat]

Originally Posted by Rick486

One of the great things about our military is they don't use words like "suspected", or "perpetrator", or "Miranda". If someone is a terrorist they are the enemy, period. And since the military has no law enforcement role within the geographic boundaries of the US, any US citizen held by the military would have been captured elsewhere, like maybe Afghanistan or Iraq, trying to kill our soldiers. I only hope the new law also provides for terrorists captured by law enforcement within the US to be turned over to the military. Certainly should discourage crazies from becoming involved in terrorism within the US.

You are obviously too glued to Fox News to read my post correctly. Let's try this again.

No law enforcement
no cops
no FBI
no Judges
no attorneys
no prosecutor

This bill authorizes the American military to detain American citizens, within the borders of the United States, who are thought to be terrorism suspects and hold them indefinitely without trial. Based strictly on an accusation, or whatever they call it as no charges will be brought. So who knows?

If the United States military thinks a US citizen is a threat,he gets a one way ticket to Leavenworth or Gitmo. In other words, he disappears.

[PaulfromNWOnt]

Originally Posted by tropiccat

if the united states military thinks a us citizen is a threat,he gets a one way ticket to leavenworth or gitmo. In other words, he disappears.

legally!!