Bush Changes Law: US Citizens Can Be Detained Permanently

[DrunkenMaster]

WASHINGTON, DC, United States (UPI) -- Revised legislation on military commissions would allow the United States to detain and try a broader range of foreign nationals.

The latest version, agreed to by Republican lawmakers and White House officials during the weekend, is less restrictive than an earlier version of the bill, The Washington Post said Tuesday.

Another provision would bar people held by the CIA or military as an unlawful enemy combatant from challenging their detention or treatment in U.S. courts unless they were tried, convicted and appealed their convictions. Critics said this provision would deny constitutional relief to this group.

The Bush administration and House allies changed the description of how the government could designate civilians as 'unlawful enemy combatants,' the Post said, citing an anonymous source. The new language would be applied to foreign nationals and U.S. citizens, the Post said. The earlier version had been scheduled for a vote this week.

Human rights activists told the newspaper they are worried that language in the new version amounts to congressional endorsement of indefinite detention of anyone who, according to the bill, 'has engaged in hostilities or who has purposefully and materially supported hostilities against the United States' or its military allies.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International

[originalpckelly]

1. Okay this is intolerable and we are going to stop it.

No more Mr. Nice Democrat, this bullshit is over. They are not going to have the authority to detain people indefinitely.

[Jackpine Radical]

6. See? See? These Dimmycrats is gittin hoss-tile.

Mr. Bush shud otta puddem all in Gitmo fer dat an trow away da key.

[LynnTheDem]

2. Yeah but we do it BETTER than Saddam Hussein!

So THERE!

ppppppppppppppffft!!!

Welcome to the USSA.

[ljm2002]

9. "Welcome to the USSA"

That just about says it all.

[EFerrari]

12. Stalin would be jealous. n/t

[Julius Civitatus]

3. Freedom's on the march!

Smell my freedom!

Smell it!!!

:sarcasm:

[OregonBlue]

4. Never make it past the Supreme Court.

[bdamomma]

10. I wouldn't put it pass these thugs to abolish the Supreme court

they same people who allowed Bush to steal the presidency, now isn't that a slap in the face!

These bush thugs must go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! can't stand them.

[Nothing Without Hope]

17. They don't need to "abolish" the SCOTUS. If they steal another election

and stuff the SCOTUS with just one more Alito-style judge, they will have a majority of 5-4 of Bushie SCOTUS judges that support no limitations on the president. That's what they're aiming for.

[WinkyDink]

11. You're such a kidder.

[maxsolomon]

5. Defacto condition

has Jose Padilla been tried? charged?

[SammyWinstonJack]

7. Fine! Lets start with the members of the current party in power, those

who support this unAmerican act. Them first!

[originalpckelly]

8. You should put the real title on it, so that people may verify the story..

Incidentally it is a real story whose real title is:
"Detainee bill would be less restrictive"

[Hubert Flottz]

13. Welcome to the Fourth Reich!

I warned the Freepers back in 2001!

[leveymg]

14. Link?

[katinmn]

15. Nice compromise, McCain! Such a maverick!

:sarcasm:

McCain: Neocon traitor

[Avalux]

16. Damn them all to hell. Indefinite detention of ANYONE.

The language is so vague, "hostilities" could apply to any of us exercising our right to dissent. And who decides? Agrrrrhhhhh! :banghead: Our Dems had better pull out all the stops to keep this piece of shit from passing.

[endarkenment]

18. I am very hostile toward this adminstration.

I expect to be whisked away for some of this special justice when the inevitable crackup occurs.

[MiniMe]

19. Thats not changing the law, it changes the constitution!