Padilla Case -- Signaling End of Our Rights?
Was this information purposefully released on Saturday so that it would have greater likelihood of going unnoticed? Either way, the ruling of a three-judge panel of the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia on the Bush Administrations declaration that US citizen Jose Padilla is an enemy combatant and can be held until the end of the "War on Terror" signals two things: First, the Bush Administration will not be content until it can throw any American in prison and hold them without charge indefinitely. There's not much more to it than that. Second, the "opinion was written by Judge Michael Luttig, considered to be on Bush's shortlist of candidates to replace O'Connor." (as reported on Bloomberg.com) That also seems pretty self-explanatory.
I keep having flashbacks to Sept 11, 2001 when, after watching the World Trade Center towers collapse, I stood in the middle of my living room in tears. The tears at that time were not for those killed by the terrorist attack but for the pending death of American Freedom under the hands of our current government. I feared and continue to fear the terrorists so much less than our own government. And now what more confirmation do I need?
I know the apologists will say "average Americans have nothing to fear since they do not pose a threat to our way of life." Am I an average American? Are you?
While to date I have done nothing other than exercise my opposition to this government at the ballot and through my words, will a day come when this alone will lead to imprisonment? Well probably not since it will be difficult to throw 50% of the populace in jail, but what next -- no use of communication technology? house arrest? termination of government benefits?
At present it's doubtful the Bush Administration is working to expand this 'power' beyond those who have very actively engaged in terrorist activities (I don't feel well enough informed to use language much stronger than that just yet) but the problem may not truly come under this administration. But the precedents have been set, the doors opened, to further abuses. Imagine what the Nixon Administration would have done if it could call an American citizen an "enemy combatant" and throw them away until the end of the Cold War?
Worse yet, now we have to rely on the leadership of the impotent Democratic Party to protect us from the addition of people who think this is a good thing to the Supreme Court (and the rest of the Judicial System).
I have so little hope for the next 20 or maybe even 50 years. I find it difficult to feel any more anger or disgust at this point as I'm full - there is no more room for such emotions, any emotions. This month has been so full of pain and torment at the hands of our pathetically incompetent government - a government set on destroying everything in this country that means anything to me.
I keep having flashbacks to Sept 11, 2001 when, after watching the World Trade Center towers collapse, I stood in the middle of my living room in tears. The tears at that time were not for those killed by the terrorist attack but for the pending death of American Freedom under the hands of our current government. I feared and continue to fear the terrorists so much less than our own government. And now what more confirmation do I need?
I know the apologists will say "average Americans have nothing to fear since they do not pose a threat to our way of life." Am I an average American? Are you?
While to date I have done nothing other than exercise my opposition to this government at the ballot and through my words, will a day come when this alone will lead to imprisonment? Well probably not since it will be difficult to throw 50% of the populace in jail, but what next -- no use of communication technology? house arrest? termination of government benefits?
At present it's doubtful the Bush Administration is working to expand this 'power' beyond those who have very actively engaged in terrorist activities (I don't feel well enough informed to use language much stronger than that just yet) but the problem may not truly come under this administration. But the precedents have been set, the doors opened, to further abuses. Imagine what the Nixon Administration would have done if it could call an American citizen an "enemy combatant" and throw them away until the end of the Cold War?
Worse yet, now we have to rely on the leadership of the impotent Democratic Party to protect us from the addition of people who think this is a good thing to the Supreme Court (and the rest of the Judicial System).
I have so little hope for the next 20 or maybe even 50 years. I find it difficult to feel any more anger or disgust at this point as I'm full - there is no more room for such emotions, any emotions. This month has been so full of pain and torment at the hands of our pathetically incompetent government - a government set on destroying everything in this country that means anything to me.
posted by xj at 3:07 PM
1 Comments:
I wouldn't be surprised if the Alberto Gonzalez-led Justice Dept. isn't already following and investigating blogs like yours and mine. The Padillo decision makes a "round-up of dissidents" across America more than just a theoretical possibility.
It is scary as hell and all we can do as citizens is continue to raise the alarm. Thanks for doing your part. This ought to be a fundamental discussion in the current confirmation hearings of Judge Robert and particulary for the next nominee to come...
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