U.S. Can Not Detain Legal Residents Without Charge

Outstanding, we almost look like the Republic again!

In Major Setback For Bush Administration, Federal Court Rules U.S. Can Not Detain Legal Residents Without Charge As "Enemy Combatants"

Judge Diana Gribbon Motz said authorizing indefinite military detention: “would have disastrous consequences for the Constitution — and the country.”

“We refuse to recognize a claim to power that would so alter the constitutional foundations of our Republic.”

A true American hero and patriot!

You can watch, or listen to, it at the link.
A great day!

They keep this up and we are going to lose all of our Evil Empire coolness!

[Aliantha]

Well I think that's a great step forward.

So when are they going to start charging people?

[fargon]

Ali, I would imagine when people break the law. If your not being a problem then you have nothing to fear. We are still a nation of laws, and have a constitution that guarantees everybody's rights.
Contrary to peoples thoughts on the subject we are not ruled by an emperor, but have an elected leader. The President works for us, we do not work for him or her. We have had good and bad and ugly in the last 231 years. George Washington said "I did not fight a war to kick out George the II to become George the 1st" or something like that.
Please don't get into the war in Iraq, or terror in general, but take the broader view, and remember that we are the same old U.S.A. When the war is over, Solders from the Big Red 1, will be handing out Hershey bars, and Skilcraft pens on street corners.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Hopefully, when the Big Red 1 comes home, they won't be selling Hershey bars, and Skilcraft pens on street corners.

[fargon]

The only one we need to worry about is, the big box from Arkansas.

[Aliantha]

fargon, well that's what I would expect also.

As an example (and I'm only choosing this one because it's the one I'm most familiar with), look at David Hicks. Finally his charges were laid, and what do you know? He's home again and will be looking at starting the new year with his life back.

Is that right or wrong? Who knows. Apparently what he's guilty of wasn't anywhere near as bad as first thought and yet he was held without charge for 5yrs. I know he's not a US citizen, but we can only hope that this new legislation will trickle down into all facets of US law.

[DanaC]

If your not being a problem then you have nothing to fear.

That is a scary sentence.

[SamIam]

but we can only hope that this new legislation will trickle down into all facets of US law

This is a very naive sentence. I have severe doubts about the trickle down theory in law as well as politics. Isn't the Bush administration appealing this decision? When I first heard about this, I got the impression that we were not yet quite in the clear on this one.

[Happy Monkey]

How depressing that "U.S. Can Not Detain Legal Residents Without Charge" is a "major setback" for the President of the USA. Even after all that has happened, that headline is a bit painful to read.

Originally Posted by SamIam

This is a very naive sentence. I have severe doubts about the trickle down theory in law as well as politics. Isn't the Bush administration appealing this decision? When I first heard about this, I got the impression that we were not yet quite in the clear on this one.

The fear mongers never want you to think any thing else. That is how they turn the US into a police state with your help, your terrified help.
When someone says "be afraid of this" your response should always be, "Show me proof, all of it & why it ACTUALLY matters, or you do not get any more power". Pretty simple.
The idea the we should trust our government is very new and more silly.

[fargon]

By problem, I mean pulling a McVey (sp.) Don't go blowing things up, buildings, bridges, or other important things. We have a way to change things here, and it does not require terrorism.

[Aliantha]

Originally Posted by SamIam

This is a very naive sentence. I have severe doubts about the trickle down theory in law as well as politics. Isn't the Bush administration appealing this decision? When I first heard about this, I got the impression that we were not yet quite in the clear on this one.

Everything that happens in law affects everything else. For all new legislations passed, there are implications for many other laws. The most obvious after this one is then how long non-US residents are allowed to be detained without charge.

It's your opinion that my statement was naive. I disagree.

[Aliantha]

BTW Sam, do you believe it's ok to detain non-us residents for years without charge?

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by fargon

By problem, I mean pulling a McVey (sp.) Don't go blowing things up, buildings, bridges, or other important things. We have a way to change things here, and it does not require terrorism.

Sadly, terrorism has been used by home-grown citizens within democracies for years.
Not just the UK (although my personal experience is based on this) but also in Spain and Japan. And those are just the two examples I have off the top of my head.