the ever creeping neo-american fascism
this is actually rather scary...especially because it is so subtle and that most people will not know its implications unless they are taken away in the middle of the night by the government.
the supreme court in Padilla v. Hanft, (http://arbutuswonk.livejournal.com/1877.html) 05-533, has declined to hear mr. padilla's appeal. this is a brilliant win for the bush administration and for all those people who would use the american government to supress individual rights. i am almost always pegged as an anti-government left wing nut job when i say that the government can essentially lock you away for ever, by labeling you an 'enemy combatant'. however, this ability has been tacitly accepted by the supreme court, i am ready for the shouts of jason hates america, because he hates the war on terror.
well in an early lj entry i did explain what i felt the holding of tht 4th circuit's opinion was what it was. when reading the opinion, in conjuction with other opinions on related topics it is pretty clear that the government can essentially label anyone an 'enemy combatant' with out anyone looking over your shoulder. sure the supreme court has vaguely defined what an 'enemy combatant' is and should be in an effort to protect americans. however, the supreme court, along with several circuit courts have essentially taken away any ability to challange such a designation. if the government says you are one, thats it you are one, until the executive says you are not any more.
the 4th circuit has also now, in mr. padilla's case, stated that essentially once you are labled an enemy combatant that you can essentially be held indefinitely without review! EVEN IF YOU ARE AN AMERICAN CITIZEN!!! this is rather scary. the bush adminstration, liking this result quickly took several actions to ensure that the case would not get before the supreme court. well the supremes decided not to hear it. i'm sure administration officals are cheering up and down the halls of the whitehouse right now. essentially if they arrest anyone toss an EC tag on them and lock them away in maryland, virginia, west virginia or north caraolina and thats it, you are done!!!
be aware. this is your government.
the supreme court in Padilla v. Hanft, (http://arbutuswonk.livejournal.com/1877.html) 05-533, has declined to hear mr. padilla's appeal. this is a brilliant win for the bush administration and for all those people who would use the american government to supress individual rights. i am almost always pegged as an anti-government left wing nut job when i say that the government can essentially lock you away for ever, by labeling you an 'enemy combatant'. however, this ability has been tacitly accepted by the supreme court, i am ready for the shouts of jason hates america, because he hates the war on terror.
well in an early lj entry i did explain what i felt the holding of tht 4th circuit's opinion was what it was. when reading the opinion, in conjuction with other opinions on related topics it is pretty clear that the government can essentially label anyone an 'enemy combatant' with out anyone looking over your shoulder. sure the supreme court has vaguely defined what an 'enemy combatant' is and should be in an effort to protect americans. however, the supreme court, along with several circuit courts have essentially taken away any ability to challange such a designation. if the government says you are one, thats it you are one, until the executive says you are not any more.
the 4th circuit has also now, in mr. padilla's case, stated that essentially once you are labled an enemy combatant that you can essentially be held indefinitely without review! EVEN IF YOU ARE AN AMERICAN CITIZEN!!! this is rather scary. the bush adminstration, liking this result quickly took several actions to ensure that the case would not get before the supreme court. well the supremes decided not to hear it. i'm sure administration officals are cheering up and down the halls of the whitehouse right now. essentially if they arrest anyone toss an EC tag on them and lock them away in maryland, virginia, west virginia or north caraolina and thats it, you are done!!!
be aware. this is your government.