mobileCategory: america
09/30/06 12:54 - ID#21748
9/28/2006 The day America was lost
I'm being Blunt today, and I don't have time for a well reasoned and eloquent post, maybe in the next few days.
I'm totally distraught by what is happening in this country. It's getting bad, real fucking bad, real fucking quick. And I'm afraid 90% of America is totally ignorant of what is happening to us.
How many of you know that over the past week America lost it's soul?
No really it's that bad,
Some may think I'm being alarmist, but there are no checks against the executive's power to designate anyone they want as a enemy combatant and hold them forever without trial and torture them. And congress just said that's ok. Why? because the Republicans are foaming at the mouth to call Democrats "Soft on Terrorism" before the November elections.
I'm working on a more thoughtful article about this, here are some of my notes on the topic so far.
Themes of the argument:
War is the biggest test of a democracy.
Populations can be whipped into a fervor when they are in fear of an enemy.
Politicians are manipulating fear of terrorism to win elections.
Those in government are profiting from this war, what incentive do they have to stop it.
Rulers would love to spy on the public and put people in jail without asking for permission or just cause, that's why we are supposed to be ruled by laws, instead of the will of men.
Those in power wish to keep that power, and increase it, this is not good for the survival of the nation or the welfare of its people, that's why we have checks against the power of the government.
It is only logical for a ruler to want more power and more control, America was designed to guard against the lust for power.
The most basic foundation of a justice system is that the accused must be proven guilty.
September 28 2006, was the day that a person in detention has no right to know why they are there or attempt to prove their innocence.
Modern democracies grew out of opposition to Kings and Monarchs who arbitrarily detained anyone they didn't like. Rulers must have a reason to put someone in jail, and that person has a right to prove that they are innocent of that charge. Not in America.
Torture does not work, you get bad intelligence, and interrogators become demoralized, good people will leave, and interrogations are handled by hateful thugs.
______________________________
And Since I can't find the time or energy to be eloquent here are some people who Have.
Ny Times:
Democracy Now:
Aziz Huq:
I'm totally distraught by what is happening in this country. It's getting bad, real fucking bad, real fucking quick. And I'm afraid 90% of America is totally ignorant of what is happening to us.
How many of you know that over the past week America lost it's soul?
No really it's that bad,
Some may think I'm being alarmist, but there are no checks against the executive's power to designate anyone they want as a enemy combatant and hold them forever without trial and torture them. And congress just said that's ok. Why? because the Republicans are foaming at the mouth to call Democrats "Soft on Terrorism" before the November elections.
I'm working on a more thoughtful article about this, here are some of my notes on the topic so far.
Themes of the argument:
War is the biggest test of a democracy.
Populations can be whipped into a fervor when they are in fear of an enemy.
Politicians are manipulating fear of terrorism to win elections.
Those in government are profiting from this war, what incentive do they have to stop it.
Rulers would love to spy on the public and put people in jail without asking for permission or just cause, that's why we are supposed to be ruled by laws, instead of the will of men.
Those in power wish to keep that power, and increase it, this is not good for the survival of the nation or the welfare of its people, that's why we have checks against the power of the government.
It is only logical for a ruler to want more power and more control, America was designed to guard against the lust for power.
The most basic foundation of a justice system is that the accused must be proven guilty.
September 28 2006, was the day that a person in detention has no right to know why they are there or attempt to prove their innocence.
Modern democracies grew out of opposition to Kings and Monarchs who arbitrarily detained anyone they didn't like. Rulers must have a reason to put someone in jail, and that person has a right to prove that they are innocent of that charge. Not in America.
Torture does not work, you get bad intelligence, and interrogators become demoralized, good people will leave, and interrogations are handled by hateful thugs.
______________________________
And Since I can't find the time or energy to be eloquent here are some people who Have.
Ny Times:
Democracy Now:
Aziz Huq:
It sounds like a preaty much agree with what you are saying. People who feal as if they are unsafe often give up their own rights to feal safer. Notice I said feal safer not actually be safer. I once read an interesting article about countries or states that go from free to totolotorain and the united states had allready gone through a few of the steps. That dosn't mean that the us will go to that point. But if you are a conspiracry theroist you can figure out that all it might take is for the government to let another terrorist action take place or better yet let a couple take place. If they where people living here that did it you would have the excuse for Martial law. Then you could go to war. If the congress supported the president I'm sure ellections could be suspend and those old war powers from the old day inacted. I'm not saying it is going to happen but it isn't as hard for it to happen as people think.Permalink: 9_28_2006_The_day_America_was_lost.html
Words: 485
hiking recovery 
Hummus ? 
Nephew's Art 
Spring Feelz 
Hello hello 
moz://a