Molly Ivins (Truthdig): Habeas Corpus, R.I.P. (1215 - 2006)

[Dudley_DUright]

Oh dear. I’m sure he didn’t mean it. In Illinois’ Sixth Congressional District, long represented by Henry Hyde, Republican candidate Peter Roskam accused his Democratic opponent, Tammy Duckworth, of planning to “cut and run” on Iraq.

Duckworth is a former Army major and chopper pilot who lost both legs in Iraq after her helicopter got hit by an RPG. “I just could not believe he would say that to me,” said Duckworth, who walks on artificial legs and uses a cane. Every election cycle produces some wincers, but how do you apologize for that one?

The legislative equivalent of that remark is the detainee bill now being passed by Congress. Beloveds, this is so much worse than even that pathetic deal reached last Thursday between the White House and Republican Sens. John Warner, John McCain and Lindsey Graham. The White House has since reinserted a number of “technical fixes” that were the point of the putative “compromise.” It leaves the president with the power to decide who is an enemy combatant.

This bill is not a national security issue—this is about torturing helpless human beings without any proof they are our enemies. Perhaps this could be considered if we knew the administration would use the power with enormous care and thoughtfulness. But of the over 700 prisoners sent to Gitmo, only 10 have ever been formally charged with anything. Among other things, this bill is a CYA for torture of the innocent that has already taken place.

Death by torture by Americans was first reported in 2003 in a New York Times article by Carlotta Gall. The military had announced the prisoner died of a heart attack, but when Gall saw the death certificate, written in English and issued by the military, it said the cause of death was homicide. The “heart attack” came after he had been beaten so often on his legs that they had “basically been pulpified,” according to the coroner.

more...

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20060927_molly_ivins_habeas_corpus/

[pnwmom]

1. Thank you. Leave it to Molly to nail the bastards.

Be well, Molly.

[screembloodymurder]

2. What will they do next?

I used to think calling Bush the Devil was a joke. Now, I'm smelling sulfur.

[bif]

3. I like this part of the article

In July 2003, George Bush said in a speech: “The United States is committed to worldwide elimination of torture, and we are leading this fight by example. Freedom from torture is an inalienable human right. Yet torture continues to be practiced around the world by rogue regimes, whose cruel methods match their determination to crush the human spirit.”

We've truly become a rogue regime.

[chaplainM]

5. Good quote!

Someone should give it in the Senate debate!

[Dhalgren]

4. This line from the bill should send a shiver down everyones

back here on DU: "has purposefully and materially supported hostilities against the United States." The definition of this clause could fill the detention camps...

[cool user name]

6. What are we going to do???

This is absolute insanity!

[cool user name]

7. My rant ....

"Habeus Corpus; it's not just a good idea, it's what ended the dark ages." (see sig line for credit)

We should all be sickened by our representatives and senators, both Republican and Democrat for this outrageous assault on our fundamental rights as Americans, against US statutes and domestic laws and it's scalding rewrite of one of the most important documents in the 20th century, the Geneva Conventions laws against torture.

Should this bill pass, I will not forget nor forgive those that voted for it. Never.

"Never Again" had a meaning. Apparantly we are a bit amnesiatic when it comes to history.

This is a horrible day for the US and for the world in general.

Guess we can all go back now and tune in to "America's Next Top Model" since that's pretty much all we care about.

Our fundamentally Constitutionally protected right against unlawful detentions be damned.

[Jack Rabbit]

8. Bless you, Molly Ivins

Our prayers are for you.

[tblue]

9. Thank you. What IF they made a mistake and tortured the wrong person?

I'd like to hear one of these 'yea' voters answer that. R/W'ers have no compassion for so-called terrorists, but what about innocent people?

How do you know you didn't pick up the wrong guy? WHO, what kind of MONSTER would say it's okay to torture someone who got picked up by mistake? Can anyone claim the gov't could NEVER 'inadvertently' detain an innocent person?

So a mistake is made and the worng person is detained—and they never get a day in court? Is that insane or what?

This is absolutely indefensible.

[Matilda]

10. I think there are a lot of the wrong people in Gitmo right now.

Australia's David Hicks is just one. A misguided boy who got involved in something he really didn't
understand and didn't get out in time. A Taliban foot-soldier for a short time, but no cohort of
Osama. He's been locked up now for four years with no charges, and now they won't have to bother.
And John Howard won't lift a finger to help. Alexander Downer says "we don't like him" - that's
now the criterion for leaving somebody to rot in prison without charge? You don't like them?

What has happened to the moral compass of these people in Congress? I don't care which party they
belong to - this is about basic human rights and justice, things we all learned from childhood.

Blessings on Molly Ivins - it's a wonderful article.

[Briar]

12. Wherer torture is concerned

*everyone* is the wrong person. That's the point. Civilised people don't torture. Anyone.

[longship]

11. Indeed. Bless you Molly.

nt