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Sunday, Nov 8, 2009
CronenBurgerMeister
Published Letters: 398 Editor's Choice: 1
Ok.
So when the administration justifies going to war because Saddam's WMDs are an imminent threat, but they're wrong, does that count as a "screw up?"
And when the entirety of the (educated) world realizes they were wrong and possibly lying, does that count as "getting caught?"
What are the next two steps again?
Well, there's only one solution to this problem:
We have to invade Syria to liberate this poor blogger. After all, America must solve all the problems of the world, since we are the only beacon of morality, justice, and freedom.
Mr. Hamden has been in custody for who knows how long now, still waiting for a hearing. I got to read his case this semester, but there he sits, in Cuba. Prosecutors are walking off the job because they are being forced to pursue trumped-up charges in kangaroo courts so we can pretend we are justified in detaining these "terrorists," most of whom (from Afganistan, at least) were handed to us by our allies in the region, who may or may not be international drug dealers.
But we are better than them. Yes, we are. Just keep repeating that.
But if you possess this skill called "empathy," you can imagine what it would be like to have all your assets frozen and all your former friends thinking you are a terrorist, and not knowing how "they" determined you were a terrorist, or what you can do to stop being called a terrorist.
If you don't possess that skill, do an internet search for "Why is due process important?" or something like that, and educate yourself.
In response to the writer who suggested that some rights should not extend to non-citizens:
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.
Both the words "Citizen" and "Person" are included in this section. "Citizen" is defined, but "person" is not limited to citizenship. Why wouldn't the drafters of the 14th Amendment just use "citizen" alone?
There are multiple ways to read it, but I am of the opinion that due process was meant to extend to all persons. There is also the suspension clause, which states that habeas corpus may not be suspended except by Congress during period of war or insurrection. Congress has not suspended habeas corpus. What they have done is attempt to make the court inaccessible to suspected terrorists by removing the courts' jurisdiction to hear cases (I believe it was part of the Millitary Commissions Act). Whether it is Constitutional is debatable, but its sure as hell not the way it is supposed to be done.
The argument that this story should not be printed or a story about how wonderful our troops are substituted is too ridiculous to waste mental energy on.
Is that the troll mating call?
Are the trolls in heat?
Glenn, we are all guilty of it, but don't feed the trolls.
The second I saw this headline I got excited to post a little warning to the commenters on the last 10 Joan Walsh columns. It went something like this:
Democrats of all stripes, come together! Whether you are an Obamaton or a Clintonista, you must acknowledge that either of them are a far better choice for our next pres than Mr. McCain. There are four million reasons that this is the case. However, the Democrats could very well throw the election through infighting. It is time to show a little unity and party discipline, put aside your personal feelings, and get the Republicans out of the White House. I say this not as a Democrat (no party affiliation), but as an informed human being with a moral code. The Republicans will do what it takes to win the election in November. I am starting to worry that Democrats are going to be too busy being self-righteous to actually win this election.
However, having read the column, I feel compelled to direct my little diatribe at Joan herself. Yes, politics is a dirty business, and no, Obama is did not die on the cross for our sins. That is to say, he is not perfect. He may even be "shrewd," or "calculating," or "a politician!" But this is not the time to publicly confess his campaign's sins for him. November draws near. Do what it takes to win.
please do not take this as me aligning with the Obamatons, my earlier post should make it clear that i will gladly vote for any democrat, including Clinton if she somehow manages to steal the election, but...
you do know what "subtext" means, right?
Much of the initial coverage about Fort Hood turned out to be wrong. Is there anything wrong with that?
The accountability imposed by another country for the CIA's kidnapping and torture reveals much about our own.
Fox News' morning show plays to type, talking about whether Muslims in the Army should face "special debriefings"
The survivor and author is upset about comparisons some on the right are making to genocide
Once seen as a lunatic fringe, reactionary anti-women groups are courting respectability
Salon headlines in your mailbox
