Posted on 12/05/2011 10:55:52 AM PST by John Semmens
A recently passed Senate Bill—the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)—grants broad new authority to the Department of Defense (DOD) to arrest and detain civilians who are suspected of being enemies of the state. In any area that the DOD declares to be a “zone of conflict” it would be empowered to apprehend and imprison suspected enemies “for the duration of the conflict.” The Bill explicitly repeals the 1878 Posse Comitatus ban on the use of US troops against civilians within the borders of the United States.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta called the expanded authority “absolutely necessary tools for defeating those who would attempt to bring down our government—whether from external attack or internal sabotage.”
Panetta acknowledged that these new powers contradict protections guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, but asserted that “the threats we face today warrant extraordinary steps to counter them. After all, it’s not as if we’d be totally obliterating the protections against wrongful imprisonment. Those accused of crimes against the private sector would still be granted the privilege of a speedy trial before a jury of their peers. It would only be when then intended target is the government itself that this new emergency authority would be deployed.” The Secretary characterized fears that such sweeping powers could be abused as “overwrought.”
“Such fears postulate that the government itself would act against the people’s best interests,” Panetta observed. “But this overlooks the fact that the government is composed of persons who are of the people, elected by the people, and for the benefit of the people. An abuse of power would be a betrayal of trust that could only be contemplated by a tyrant. I assure you that I am not a tyrant and neither is President Obama.”
if you miss any of this week's semi-news posts you can find them at...
http://azconserv1.wordpress.com/2011/12/03/white-house-threatens-to-cancel-congressional-holidays/
John ...This one’s gonna cause a ruckus
“They that would sacrifice Liberty for Security deserve neither and will lose both” Benjamin Franklin
Further proof of how special the founding fathers were and why they so mistrusted a central government.
Yet, no one rises to have this struck down as unconstitutional. The BOHICA Party has done it again. What further proof is needed that our elected representatives are a criminal enterprise, engaged in racketeering?
http://www.ask.com/wiki/Racketeer_Influenced_and_Corrupt_Organizations_Act
I guess all I can say John is that you have done it again. Thought provoking, and hard hitting.
I am guessing that Ron Paul will be on the side of individual freedom and vote “NO” on this bill.
Is there anyone else we can trust with our liberty besides Ron Paul?
The more “laws” the more criminals, the more that can be ignored for the government’s friends, and the more than can be used as tools to keep down the citizenry.
[ I am guessing that Ron Paul will be on the side of individual freedom and vote “NO” on this bill.
Is there anyone else we can trust with our liberty besides Ron Paul? ]
Sadly When it comes to Domestic Constitutional Issues Ron Paul is all the GOP really has in terms of Original Founder’s intent.
I wish we had a someone who was good for Foreign Policy with Ron Paul’s Domestic “Founder’s Constitutionalism”.
However, our Founding Fathers sought to place limits on government because they knew that a tyrant might be elected and then fail to relinquish power through free and open elections. The rationale for the Second Amendment is to provide the means for armed overthrow of such a tyrant. I also find it ironic that liberals who wring their hands when armed foreign enemies at war with the US aren't given trials in US courts would have no problem in denying US citizens their Constitutional rights by armed force for solely disagreeing with their government.
I hope members of the House will reject this act.
Who cares about liberty when scary Muslim terrorists are out there plotting to kill or convert every American.
This is a dangerous step and of course supported by the democrats. I hear crickets - where is the MSM on this one ?
Not even Hitler or Stalin or Kim Jon Il could have done better ....
Our Founding Fathers made it known the people had the God given right to dump the Government if and when it was necessary.
This bill, if signed into law, would enable the Government to do whatever it wants and call any citizen a terrorist or enemy if that citizens speaks or acts out against the tyranny.
This really makes me sick.
Regards,
GtG
The last I checked Mr. Panetta and the Obozo are socialist liberal democrats. If those in government have been so concerned about preserving the Constitutional rights of the people why have so many of those rights (1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th & 10th) been eroded by those sworn to protect them? As well, why has the US government electorate and their bureaucrats worked diligently to put themselves above the laws of which the rest of us are subjected?
When there is no longer trust in the government to do what is right and good for the country it is time for the citizens to throw it off. Clearly that is what this legislation addresses and what the ruling elite fears the most.
Enemy of the state? No.
Soooo, when are they coming for folks like me who ARE enemies of obammy and his marxist B.S. and his ilk???
Bet they use this crappola law for that come martial law time (when it looks like obammy is going to lose big).
Semi-satire...are you joking here?
OK, that’s not funny.
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(well maybe a little, but scarier more than funny)
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. Thomas Jefferson.
Tell me these guys did not have a diving foreknowledge!
Thomas didn't say, should be or might be or ought to be.
Not advocating anything, just thought the quote was fitting.
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