Anticipated the objections and I realize the "any person subject to..." part seems to limit the definition to the original subject party - aliens and I do agree that part of the other point is "drafting" but I think my overall point, the hyperbole of the wiki post I quoted (not wrote) aside, is that it's just nebulous enough or, more accurately, inclusive enough to be able to be interpeted in such a way to include US citizens. It's certainly not as cut and dried as was being portayed here earlier.

From a practical standpoint, for example, I suspect that it's fairly reasonable that a citizen could wind up facing a military tribunal under say, the material support provision of the MCA and somehow I don't think "it only applies to aliens" or I should be accused of harboring under the regular criminal code is going to be much help. Lynne Stewart is rather lucky that this wasn't law before she was charged and convicted. That old warhorse would still be somewhere in detention awaiting.....something. If she was lucky.

So far as the allegiance thing goes, that's pretty thin. There are the possible exceptions as you mentioned (aliens employed by the US) but they are rather slim. Again, I'd hate to be accused of violating that and be stuck with "it only applies to aliens".

I mean seriously, does anybody think this won't or couldn't be used against citizens? The same government that illegally tapped how many phones (among other things) and is trying it's best to ignore Judge Taylor's order? You think the "alien" fig leaf is going to protect against "unlawful combatant" hammer? This is a classic Trojan horse. It is amazing how some (not you) seem to want to breathe a sigh of relief because it "only applies to aliens" so it's not an "Enabling Act".

Anybody want to bet on how fast "Any person subject to this chapter..." meaning aliens, will become "Any person subject to this chapter..." meaning aliens...except in this case...except in these cases...? Any takers? I'm feeling lucky. The only way I could lose would be for the Dems to win AND do something about it. The former seems hopeful while the latter seems questionable.

Okay GB, you won me over with "mannerisms" tactic. Though I still find most of your letters on some subjects dubious. Btw, didn't realize calling you "John Stossel" was an attack. At best, it was a mild jab. Didn't hurt much right?

I'll take it in the spirit it was intended. Don't underestimate the MCA. It's just another step, albeit a terrible one, that started with the Patriot Act. It's hardly paranoid to be concerned about it especially since even if the Dems win they probably won't have enough of a majority to repeal it or override a veto. So, it looks like we're stuck with the damned thing for a couple years at least.

I don't think about Stossel much at all but for whatever reason he came into my mind during that moment. Have a good night.

Well KR, nobody's stopping you from discussing them.

IMO, Paglia's current "ideas" are just her usual tiresome posing. It's cocktail party banter. There's nothing wrong with that but it's hardly intellectual in any meaningful sense of the word.

What I find interesting is that Salon refers to her as their "fave pop intellectual". Though that shouldn't surprise me, becuse she fits right in with Salon's "Broadsheet" era.

"Roomus, there are also of course LOTS of places in NYC

Where white people are smart enough not to even let the sun shine on their faces, let alone allow it to set on them. Because, being white in such a place is an invitation for trouble. But we don't talk about that. It's not proper."

Name one. I didn't know that fear of crime in tough neighborhoods was limited to white people. While you're at it name one such area that has a sign on it warning white people to be out by sundown.

Exactly right. The sequence of events is extremely important and the LW's suspect shifting of the dates is telling.

Awwwww, poor dumb bigotted troll supposedly got mugged in LIC by some black guys (who probably lived right next door in "Queensbridge") and now he knows that white people can't or don't go to black neighborhoods without getting mugged or raped or killed or whatever other scary black guy scenario you want to insert, well perhaps you should tell the white people who live in some of those neigborhoods, particularly Bed-Stuy, about your concern for their welfare. Btw, I hear Bushwick is getting trendy. You better hurry up before it's too late.