During the reign of Bush the Younger, the democrats frequently criticized many of the “powers” that the former president assumed, declared or usurped. This changed the moment that Obama the Great took office, and the Dems got their hands on Bush’s shiny new Police State. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss:
The Obama administration has decided not to seek new legislation from Congress authorizing the indefinite detention of about 50 terrorism suspects being held without charges at at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, officials said Wednesday.
…the Obama administration is adopting one of the arguments advanced by the Bush administration in years of debates about detention policies.
The decision not to seek authorization relies on the “precedent” set by Bush and his cronies, and evidences the lack of substantial difference between the two parties.
The legal interpretation applies to detainees whom the government concludes should be held because they are a continuing danger to national security but who cannot be brought to trial for various reasons, like evidence tainted by harsh interrogations.
In other words: The DOJ can not bring the “detainees” to trial where justice would be meted out swiftly and (presumably) fairly, determining once-and-for-all their guilt (or lack thereof) and so the Administration decides to keep them locked up in perpetuity. For lack of better description, they are being treated as “guilty” because the government can’t prove their guilt! The following babies were reportedly thrown out with the bathwater:
- Decency, and respect for human rights
- Common sense
- Due process of law
I think this is a bellwether for things to come. It’s only a matter of time before the usurpations become more common-place, and more intrusive into the everyday-lives of ordinary citizens. Enjoy what’s left of your freedoms.
