LJ Idol Voting Open

My second fairy tale is not doing as well in the polls as the first one did. So, if you liked it, please throw me a vote or two to keep me alive in LJ Idol.

http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/508975.html

Defense Bill Update #1

I wish I had more accurate information on the actual wording of the Bill, but it appears that the Committee has improved the Bill so that American Born and Naturalized Citizens are protected by due process.

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/199771-congress-clears-defense-authorization-for-2012-sends-it-to-obama-for-signature-?page=2#comments

The changes to the bill forged in conference between the chambers fortify the president's right to prosecute accused terrorists captured on U.S. soil in civilian courts, although the legislation maintains military custody as the default.

Thursday's debate, prior to the 86-13 passage, mirrored floor action that occurred late last month, with opponents largely split along partisan lines. Republicans argued that accused terrorists should be denied their Miranda rights and be subject to indefinite military detentions while Democrats argued that American citizens possess a birthright to civilian proceedings.

Senior member of the committee, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), took the argument even further calling members of al Qaeda "crazy people” and saying it would be "the dumbest thing in the history of the world for a nation" to treat our enemies better on our own land than on the battlefield.

But Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) both argued that the civilian system has been a more effective agency for dispersing justice to terrorists and said they worried about the encroachment on Americans' constitutional rights.

The House approved the bill 283-136 earlier in the week.

I still want to see how much power this Bill gives to the office of the President. And with all do respect to Sen. Graham, fear is no reason to strip away the rights of Americans. I honestly can't believe any court would let a terrorist walk free. I am waiting for the Bill to be posted to Thomas in the Library of Congress.

Defense Bill Update #2

According to Politico, the Conference Committee has added that nothing in the Bill can be construed to affect existing law protecting US Citizens. At this point, I wish I was a lawyer, but I hope that does mean the Bill of Rights still applies. It appears that civil rights groups have been jumping all over Congress in the last few days.

In order to satisfy the administration and other opponents’ concerns, the final legislation states that nothing in it may be “construed to affect existing law or authorities relating to the detention of United States citizens, lawful resident aliens of the United States, or any other persons who are captured or arrested in the United States.” The Supreme Court has said U.S. citizens can be held by the military as enemy combatants, but the law is unclear on whether that includes those captured inside the United States and the issue is hotly disputed.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1211/70527.html#ixzz1gjF3zyl4