mmcirvin: (Default)
mmcirvin ([personal profile] mmcirvin) wrote2006-09-29 05:47 pm

Balkin on unlawful enemy combatants

Jack Balkin explains in more detail how the Military Commissions Act could be used to indefinitely detain citizens. (I'm pretty sure this is what at least the administration intends, since it more or less ratifies what they did to Jose Padilla.)
jwgh: (Default)

[personal profile] jwgh 2006-09-29 10:03 pm (UTC)(link)
One of our Senators, of course, is a Republican: Lincoln Chaffee. I feel obligated to vote for his Democratic opponent, just because getting a Democratic majority in the Senate is so important; but I also feel a bit like a jerk writing him a nice letter thanking him for opposing torture when I have no intention of voting for him.

In a way, it's all pretty moot, since I will be pretty surprised if he comes close to losing.

Also, it is sad that I have come to view 'opposes torture' as a sign of a principled legislator, rather than being able to take it for granted.

[identity profile] urbeatle.livejournal.com 2006-09-29 10:30 pm (UTC)(link)
It is sad that I have come to view 'opposes torture' as a sign of a principled legislator, rather than being able to take it for granted.
.

I would include that sentence in your letter, maybe followed with something like "I am glad that our representatives have strong moral values and choose to do what is good instead of what seems expedient."

[identity profile] paracelsvs.livejournal.com 2006-09-29 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)
I am tangetially reminded that I recently realized that back in the eighties or so, you might joke if somebody was travelling to the US that they'd get shot, and if they were going to Russia that they'll be arrested.

Now, it's the exact opposite.
jwgh: (Default)

[personal profile] jwgh 2006-09-30 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
Right now, if you travel to the US you could end up in Russia (or in the general area at least). Vaht a canntry!