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Friday, December 16, 2011

RIP USA

Our own country, regardless of the sanctity of the US Constitution, has signed into law a - courtesy of our very own President, Barak Obama, and US Congress - a law that allows them to detain anybody without due process on the grounds of suspected terrorism and sedition. Our very FIFTH Amendment forbids such actions. We must must MUST petition an end to this and vote out these traitorous men and women. They are the true terrorists in the guise of people we trust. This is inexcusable. There is a checks and balances system, but when it is slanted far too heavily towards one party, we find that things do not stay in check.



Another Vid
Another vid

It flies in the face of our Bill of Rights. As so far as I have read and watched, it flies in the face of in the very least the first and fifth amendment. It flies in the face of the US Constitution.

"The right of the people peaceably to assemble for the purpose of petitioning Congress for a redress of grievances, or for anything else connected with the powers or duties of the National Government, is an attribute of national citizenship, and, as such, under protection of, and guaranteed by, the United States." Justice Waite, United States v. Cruikshank, 92 U.S. 542 (1875)

"In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people." - Olive Branch Petition 1775 [the precursor to the Declaration of Independence]

"Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Bill of Rights

"Amendment IV

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 place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." Bill of Rights

"Amendment V

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 offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a 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." Bill of Rights

"Amendment VI


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 and 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." Bill of Rights

"AMENDMENT XIV

Section 1.
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." Bill of Rights

"The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it." US Constitution, Article 1 Section 9

"The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed." - US Constitution, Article 3 Section 2

"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court." - US Constitution, Article 3 Section 3

Now, why do I care? Why should you? In the course of American history we have endeavored to seek and ensure basic human liberties and rights so that all citizens should have the right to due process, a fair and public trial, and humane treatment. Shouldn't it bother us that we would so gladly wave off our rights in exchange for something that may or may not provide us added security? Shouldn't it bother us that we are denying people the same rights we claim we are defending? This very night soldiers are dying for your freedoms, Americans. You should respect that life and not let him or her die in vain.

Snopes page on NDAA rumors


Con:

In reality it is easy to say 'They are fucking terrorists, they don't deserve freedom or rights.' Well, to a certain extent that is true, but without due process and evidence how do we know they are terrorists aside from the fact that somebody has said so? If a man were to commit a series of homicides in an act of spree killing, he would be granted due process. Even if in the eyes of the public he is already judged guilty. However, suppose for a moment that the man they arrest is not the one who did the spree killing. Well, the media will likely lambaste him and treat him very much the same way. He still gets due process. Why should it be any different for any other citizen, even if they should be a part of the increasingly violent Occupy Movement or worse? Should we not consider this a greater injustice by stooping to the level of Nazi Germany?


Pro:

Now, I will play devil's advocate for the moment, stating why this should be law. Yes, it is very easy to deal with things this way. It is nice to be able to in black and white state that this action or that action is an act of terrorism. Occupy Walstreet's protesters have been getting increasingly violent and it is degrading from a peaceful protest to social unrest. Al Queda is also a great threat with moles hidden within our country. We should protect ourselves! We shouldn't have to fight on our own soil, but we must! Shouldn't we consider the terrorists as agents of invasion and or insurrection?

My take:

While ultimately both sides have strong arguments and I have only glossed over them in my above pro vs con summaries, I must say this is being handled completely wrong. We have existing laws and statutes in place to protect us and we just do not need such a strongly worded law put into place. I think that it violates the very principles and values of our nation. Our country's Bill of Rights and Constitution is being abused here and we must do something about it. While I agree that we need to protect our nation, we must put these men to a public trial. Even Saddam Hussein was tried publicly - even in his own nation. In this age of mass media and international news at our finger tips this topic has not been on the mainstream media for some odd reason. It is sadly suspicious. However, that said, we should make a good use of our abilities and existing rights. We can submit petitions, we can write our senators, congressmen, representatives, judges, and even our president. We can flood the media with our questions and concerns and evidences. We can do a lot of things, but we should not be silent when we are concerned. What shouldn't we do? We shouldn't act like a mass of morons fumbling awkwardly forward with no education on the matter we are approaching. We must approach with caution, care, and wisdom. We do not need to march in mass protests at this time. We do not need to act like that which we wish to protect ourselves from. We also do not need to adopt a state of defeatism and take it like a dog. After all, that same attitude is a big part of why gas prices are outlandish and uncontrolled. It is simply because we accept this as what should be. [More on how the fuel industry works in another post, however.] Whatever the case may be, we must be willing to pick a side and commit to it, but remember, ladies and gentlemen, we must remember the intent of the Founding Fathers and the very things that have created our nation as they are designed to aid us.