Thursday, October 19, 2006

Bush Kills Habeas Corpus Dead

On Tuesday, George W. Bush curtailed the rights of prisoners by signing legislation which would allow terrorism suspects to be tried in from of military tribulnals. This paragraph - from the L.A. Times - is especially alarming:
The Justice Department moved swiftly to enforce one of the law's most controversial provisions. Within two hours of the signing ceremony, department lawyers notified the U.S. Appeals Court in Washington that the new law eliminated federal court jurisdiction over dozens of lawsuits filed on behalf of prisoners held at U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

And in case you think that this applies only to prisoners in Guantanamo Bay and the like, think again:
The military tribunals bill signed by President Bush on Tuesday marks the first time the right of habeas corpus has been curtailed by law for millions of people in the United States.

Although debate focused on trials at Guantanamo Bay, the new law also takes away from noncitizens in the U.S. — including more than 12 million permanent residents — the right to go to court if they are declared "unlawful enemy combatants."

"Oh, but I'm fine. I'm an American citizen!" you might say.

First of all, it's wrong and immoral, no matter the citizenship status of the human in question. Second, how much longer until it's determined that citizens of the United States - whether US born or naturalized - need to be scrutinized?

This is why it is critical that Democrats regain control of either the House or Senate (preferably both) on November 7th. We need to curtail this abomination.

Now.

(As always, Keith Olbermann says it best.)

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

The Latest: "Staying the Course" in Iraq Until 2010

According to an MSNBC report, Army plans current Iraq troop levels until 2010:
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Army has plans to keep the current level of soldiers in Iraq through 2010, the top Army officer said Wednesday, a later date than Bush administration or Pentagon officials have mentioned thus far.
If this isn't evidence of a long-term plan to continue the US occupation of a sovreign nation, I don't know what is.

Wait a minute, yes I do.

TONIGHT - Screening of Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers, featuring a Q &A with filmmaker Robert Greenwald

A horrifying catalog of greed, corruption and incompetence among private contractors in Iraq, focusing primarily on Halliburton, Blackwater Security Consulting and CACI International.

SoCal Grassroots is hosting a screening of Iraq for Sale with Special Guest, filmmaker Robert Greenwald.

WHAT: Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers
WHEN: Wednesday, October 11 08:00 PM
WHERE: Fine Arts Theater
8556 Wilshire Blvd. (just west of LaCienega)
Beverly Hills, California 90211

HOSTED BY: SoCal Grassroots.
Tickets are $10

Pay at the door or you can still purchase tickets in advance.
the SoCal Grassroots Act Blue donation page. The requested donation is $10.00.

For more details and to RSVP, please visit:
http://iraqforsale.bravenewtheaters.com/screening/show/6197.