I just popped over to Sen. Leahy’s web site and sent the following letter to Hatch-y and Bennett. You should do the same for your senators.
Last fall, Congress eliminated the fundamental right of habeas corpus when it passed the Military Commissions Act. I urge you to reverse this assault on our American legacy of liberty by supporting the Habeas Corpus Restoration Act when it comes to a vote in the coming weeks.
The elimination of basic legal rights undermines, not strengthens, our ability to defeat terrorists. It is from strength that America should defend our values and our way of life. It is from the strength of our freedoms, our Constitution, and the rule of law that we can prevail. We can ensure our security without giving up our liberty. We must restore the checks and balances that are fundamental to preserving the values that define us as a great Nation.
It is urgent that we restore our legal traditions and ensure there is a fair and independent check on the ability of any President to lock someone up illegally. I urge you to cast a yes vote for the Habeas Corpus Restoration Act this week and oppose any effort to filibuster it.
Click right HERE and send your own.
I don’t know what’s more surreal, the idea that we have to beg our senators to restore habeas corpus– or the realization that they probably will vote against it.
Jesus … that just depressed the hell out of me.
I saw a great bumper sticker the other day. It said “Be nice to America, or we’ll bring democracy to your country”. I am wondering if maybe we exported all of our democracy, and forgot to keep enough for ourselves.
I just sent my e-mail from Leahy’s site. I added this paragraph at the beginning “President George W. Bush has been less than forthcoming with his “facts” about the war on terror. Because of the disingenuousness of the Bush Administration, unfortunately members of congress were convinced that Habeas Corpus is not important. But I think it is. I hope you do to.”
Ix makes a stingingly good point with which I agree. I support democracy for all people, but on their own terms, and not at the point of a gun. I keep hoping that Iraq will be a success, but based on the long line of US foreign policy failures, I’m not so sure.
Thanks for that link. I hope we can stop this internal assault on our rights.