December 15, 2011

The National Defense Authorization Act ( NDAA )passed through the Senate today and it authorizes, formalizes and sanctifies the indefinite detention of American citizens. The law would allow the military to detain Americans indefinitely and without a trial or transparent due process. Today is also the 220^th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights in our Constitution (December 15, 1791). The irony cannot be ignored.

Supporters of the bill said that the new law simply codifies what American courts have allowed since 9/11 and it is vital to stop threats to the United States.

Unfortunately Obama will sign the bill, perhaps tomorrow, after saying earlier in the week that he would veto it.

There were just thirteen Senators who voted against the bill and they were:

Ben Cardin (D-Del.),

Tom Coburn (R-Okla.).

Mike Crapo (R-Idaho)

Jim DeMint (R-S.C.),

Dick Durbin (R-Ill.),

Al Franken (D-Minn.),

Tom Karkin (D-Iowa),

Mike Lee (R-Utah),

Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.),

Rand Paul (R-Ky.),

Jim Risch (R-Idaho),

Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and

Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

These senators should be commended for their vote to support civil liberties.

An important Constitutional protection is that after a person is properly charged, he is entitled to a speedy trial with a jury of their peers. The bill dilutes the Constitutional protections we all expect.

Diluting our freedoms is insidious and wrong. It will also have more tragic consequences than a terrorist bomb.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/15/americans-face-guantanamo-detention-obama