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 SurtyrFoesmasher rated 25 months ago - I have honestly been thinking about the possibility of some night being disappeared. If the Supreme Court doesn't knock this "detainee interrogation" act down, if the majority of Americans continue to keep their blinders on, if this really is the end of the republic, and if we really...
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22 Reviews
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- a-total-rogue rated 25 months ago
- "In Case I Disappear" By William Rivers Pitt
"Underneath all this is the definition of "enemy combatant" that has been established by this legislation. An "enemy combatant" is now no longer just someone captured "during an armed conflict" against our forces. Thanks to this legislation, George W. Bush is now able to designate as an "enemy combatant" anyone who has "purposefully and materially supported hostilities against the United States."
Consider that language a moment. "Purposefully and materially supported hostilities against the United States" is in the eye of the beholder, and this administration has proven itself to be astonishingly impatient with criticism of any kind. The broad powers given to Bush by this legislation allow him to capture, indefinitely detain, and refuse a hearing to any American citizen who speaks out against Iraq or any other part of the so-called "War on Terror."
If you write a letter to the editor attacking Bush, you could be deemed as purposefully and materially supporting hostilities against the United States. If you organize or join a public demonstration against Iraq, or against the administration, the same designation could befall you. One dark-comedy aspect of the legislation is that senators or House members who publicly disagree with Bush, criticize him, or organize investigations into his dealings could be placed under the same designation. In effect, Congress just gave Bush the power to lock them up.
By writing this essay, I could be deemed an "enemy combatant." It's that simple, and very soon, it will be the law. I always laughed when people told me to be careful. I'm not laughing anymore."
- D-dave-superhero rated 25 months ago
- From the page... By writing this essay, I could be deemed an "enemy combatant." It's that simple, and very soon, it will be the law. I always laughed when people told me to be careful. I'm not laughing anymore.A thought provoking and concerned piece of work, although this paragraph... In case I disappear, remember this. America is an idea, a dream, and that is all. We have borders and armies and citizens and commerce and industry, but all this merely makes us like every other nation on this Earth. What separates us is the idea, the simple idea, that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are our organizing principles. We can think as we please, speak as we please, write as we please, worship as we please, go where we please. We are protected from the kinds of tyranny that inspired our creation as a nation in the first place. ....does seem to insinuate that America is the only "free" nation on Earth, and all others are autocratic, despotic or tyrannical, which is laughable. Good stuff on the whole though.
- angelclare rated 25 months ago
- Well, I have said it before and I will say it again: America USED TO BE a great nation. That is before Bush got his dirty hands on it. Goodbye Constitution. This article is a MUST READ.
- WAYN rated 25 months ago
- From the page: " In Case I Disappear By William Rivers Pitt"
This terror detainee bill looks like alot Hitler's 1933 Enabling Act. Democracy died in USA, the day this bill was passed.
- weirding rated 25 months ago
- OH SHIT !!!!
Underneath all this is the definition of "enemy combatant" that has been established by this legislation. An "enemy combatant" is now no longer just someone captured "during an armed conflict" against our forces. Thanks to this legislation, George W. Bush is now able to designate as an "enemy combatant" anyone who has "purposefully and materially supported hostilities against the United States."
I used to think comparing Dubbya to Hitler was a bit extreme, but now, I'm starting to agree. Seriously.
- EmilioX rated 25 months ago
- From the page:
In Case I Disappear
By William Rivers Pitt
"Matters are different now.
It seems, perhaps, that the people who warned me were not so paranoid. It seems, perhaps, that I was not paranoid enough. Legislation passed by the Republican House and Senate, legislation now marching up to the Republican White House for signature, has shattered a number of bedrock legal protections for suspects, prisoners, and pretty much anyone else George W. Bush deems to be an enemy.
So much of this legislation is wretched on the surface. Habeas corpus has been suspended for detainees suspected of terrorism or of aiding terrorism, so the Magna Carta-era rule that a person can face his accusers is now gone. Once a suspect has been thrown into prison, he does not have the right to a trial by his peers. Suspects cannot even stand in representation of themselves, another ancient protection, but must accept a military lawyer as their defender.
Illegally-obtained evidence can be used against suspects, whether that illegal evidence was gathered abroad or right here at home. To my way of thinking, this pretty much eradicates our security in persons, houses, papers, and effects, as stated in the Fourth Amendment, against illegal searches and seizures.
Speaking of collecting evidence, the torture of suspects and detainees has been broadly protected by this new legislation. While it tries to delineate what is and is not acceptable treatment of detainees, in the end, it gives George W. Bush the final word on what constitutes torture. US officials who use cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment to extract information from detainees are now shielded from prosecution."
- SchreiberBike rated 25 months ago
- From the page: "By writing this essay, I could be deemed an "enemy combatant." It's that simple, and very soon, it will be the law."
I wonder if I also could be considered by someone to be providing material assistance to the enemy?
- paman33 rated 25 months ago
- It's time to take our head out of the sand. Get out and vote for change
- earl1940 rated 25 months ago
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As one being rather active in political blogging and debate these past years, I am also at some risk. For me, the height of being loyal to one's country is being watchful and protective of its contitution, but also international law; staying within the law, in other words. Being an ex-patriot (curious word, that) is even more risky, it seems. The politics of fear and repression in the U.S. have now come into full blossom and the mask is off, it seems.
- Anitra rated 25 months ago
- William Rivers Pitt: "In case I disappear, remember this. America is an idea, a dream, and that is all. We have borders and armies and citizens and commerce and industry, but all this merely makes us like every other nation on this Earth. What separates us is the idea, the simple idea, that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are our organizing principles. We can think as we please, speak as we please, write as we please, worship as we please, go where we please. We are protected from the kinds of tyranny that inspired our creation as a nation in the first place. That was the idea. That was the dream. It may all be over now, but once upon a time, it existed. No good idea ever truly dies. The dream was here, and so was I, and so were you."
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