Garnet Donkey » War and Homeland Security

Federal Appeals Court Backs Indefinite Detentions

whopkin1 — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:36:02 +0000

The New York Times reports that in a 5-4 decision on Tuesday the Federal Appeals Court in Richmond, VA supported President Bush’s rationale that he can indefinitely detain someone he has termed an enemy combatant with providing charges or allowing the accused any sort of legal recourse. This means that the President can order anyone in America picked up and imprisoned without justification or being forced to present evidence in court. Having already worked to strip Americans of the right to face accusers and evidence in trial by enacting secret trials at Guantanamo Bay, it should come as little surprise that the government continues to look for ways in which to circumvent the Constitution that they claim to uphold. Once more I am reminded of the famous maxim from Benjamin Franklin- those who would give up a little liberty for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

Furthermore, it was my impression that the President is a member of the executive branch (though perhaps not, if you ask Dick Cheney) and as such is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces- not, as he might wish to believe, the Chief Justice. It is not the President’s place to try, sentence, and execute on his own authority.

Bush Administration Considering Iraq Pullout

whopkin1 — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 17:55:40 +0000

FOX News and the New York Times report that the Bush administration is considering withdrawing more units from Iraq, a decision that will be based on an upcoming report by Gen. Petraeus. Petraeus is the head of the U.S. and multinational forces in Iraq. Sources cite the increased efforts by the Taliban in Afghanistan as a reason for redeployment. The administration will no doubt announce “Mission Accomplished!” if the decide to remove troops from Iraq.

See FOX’s coverage here and the New York Times coverage here.

House Bill Calls for Blockade of Iran

whopkin1 — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:39:14 +0000

H.CON.RES 362 calls for an effective naval blockade of Iran by the United States Navy. According to the story reported here by www.globalresearch.ca, the bill had 146 co-sponsors as of 6/18/08. A similar bill in the Senate, S.RES 580, has 19 co-sponsors (again, as of 6/18/08. Such an action would likely be taken by Iran as a declaration of war, and it seems silly and foolhardy to provoke an unstable nation with potential nuclear capability. The full resolution in the House can be read here. The bill has powerful allies in the Capitol and seems to be likely to pass.

Feingold will filibuster FISA compromise

whopkin1 — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:08:27 +0000

Senator Feingold of Wisconsin announced in an interview with Democracy Now! that he will filibuster the upcoming compromise on the national security wiretapping bill. Feingold believes the Democrats need to cease posturing and take control of national security issues and stand up to the Republicans. View the transcript of the interview here.