It is such a heap of hooey I don’t know where to begin dissecting. There are so many charades about this bill. I will write more on this later - trying to get up to speed right now on the latest (Friday morn) developments.

I think some provisions of the act may get struck down - but it would be naive to put great faith in this happening.

Americans cannot count on former prosecutors wearing bat suits to save the Bill of Rights.

Jim,

I don’t see how this law can be passed in any legal manner. I would think that it could be appealed and overturned.

FYI - here is Congressman Sherrod Brown’s response to an email I sent to his office chastisting his vote as not being very “progressive.”

Yesterday, Congressman Brown voted for a bill that creates a military tribunal to try those enemy combatants that have been held by the government since September 11, 2001.

This compromise is supported by Senator John McCain, a former POW who fought to ensure that this tribunal lives up to our national standards on human rights.

Unlike President Bush’s plan, this compromise measure prohibits the degrading treatment of detainees and specifically lists the types of behaviors that are banned in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.

The Washington Post wrote about the legislation, “The compromise legislation does not seek to narrow U.S. obligations under the Geneva Conventions in the treatment of prisoners, as Bush had hoped.”

Those detained have been held for more than 5 years with no opportunity to prove their guilt or innocence.

It will provide that opportunity, so that those who are innocent can be set free and those who are guilty can be punished.

The bill prohibits the use of cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment of detainees. Because that evidence is often unreliable, it will not admit evidence obtained through torture

Detainees will be entitled to Combatant Status Review, where they may challenge their detention within the confines of the military tribunal system.

And the bill will allow combatants to receive an edited version of classified evidence being used to convict them so that they can respond without putting our national security at risk.

Congressman Brown feels it has taken far too long for a legal framework to be developed – for the innocent who must be freed, the guilty that must be punished, and our homeland which must be secured.

Jim - I would appreciate your rebuttal, since I haven’t read the bill. But it sounds like a copout, hiding behind John McCain. Your take?

Thanks

FYI - here is Congressman Sherrod Brown’s response to an email I sent to his office chastisting his vote as not being very “progressive.” I would appreciate your rebuttal, since I haven’t read the bill. But it sounds like a copout, hiding behind John McCain. Your take? Thanks

People can get informed - make it hot for their congressmen when they come to town - hammer the talk show call-ins and letters to the editor — …

I have some other ideas I am chewing on - will probably write ‘em up next week.

A vote can sometimes make a difference, if the government doesn’t rig the machines and erase it.

Does a vote even make a difference any more?

But at least I can still be an unlicensed crank.