Quote:
Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln . . .
Let's start there: the war on terrorism. Put aside the foreign POWs taken to a "non-US location". Let's look at folks in the US:
DOJ has denied representation to several suspects thought to be associated with terrorists. It has denied at least one an opportunity to interview a witness who purports to have evidence to exonerate him. But lets move past our concerns about terrorists, because we know it's okay to deprive criminals of rights, because, after all, they're criminals.
Meanwhile, the US Patriot act enacts significant authority to spy on US citizens, in their libraries, through wiretaps, and so forth.
Or shall we talk about efforts to federalize limitations on civil liberties that states have sought fit to enact: medical marijuana use in California; a "right" to die in Oregon and elsewhere; homosexual "marriage" in Vermont and (potentially elsewhere); abortion anywhere.
Sure, you can argue that these things don't really affect most people. But are you seriously arguing that nothing John Ashcroft has done has neither affected nor sought to chill civil liberties of Americans?
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I wasn't arguing, I was asking. My original post was clear that I wasn't trying to dismiss the issue of detainees, I just wanted a list of other things.
Frankly, having authority to wiretap, etc. is different than using it, and most of the things you list were used against Italians where there was evidence of mob involvement. Where were you then?
The concern I would have about the FBI checking library records generally, (that is w/o strong ties to terrorism) is what the fuck are they doing wasting the time.
As to the civil rights gay/abortion/etc., I happen to hate that part of the Rep. agenda, but that's politically motivated stuff that comes up cyclically with different administrations.
