Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Showing Original Post only (View all)

Recursion

(56,582 posts)
Tue Jul 9, 2013, 12:57 AM Jul 2013

The Constitution specifically allows for Congressional secrecy and military contractors [View all]

Article I, Section 5:

Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.


Doesn't seem to be any limit on the secrecy power in the Constitution.

Also, military contractors are specifically allowed in Article I, Section 8:

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;
56 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
O_O Amonester Jul 2013 #1
Somehow, I doubt the Founders anticipated our modern ways in quite the detail you are implying. nt Romulus Quirinus Jul 2013 #2
I don't know. The Quasi-War was pretty early Recursion Jul 2013 #4
I doubt they anticipated assault rifles in quite the detail 2nd amendment fans imply. n/t pnwmom Jul 2013 #8
+100 demosincebirth Jul 2013 #13
I doubt they anticipated private contractors like Booz Allen in quite the same way either think Jul 2013 #29
I agree. Private contractors shouldn't be involved in any of this. n/t pnwmom Jul 2013 #54
Thank you for replying. I'm sorry if I've been annoying & repetitive on this issue think Jul 2013 #55
No need to apologize for a "rant." pnwmom Jul 2013 #56
Was Booz Allen granted a letter Marque and Reprisal? Wait don't tell me. think Jul 2013 #3
Essentially. They send out teams with some weapons systems Recursion Jul 2013 #7
And still we wouldn't know because it is classified... think Jul 2013 #11
I can think of plenty that aren't classified Recursion Jul 2013 #12
Thanks. I guess we will just have to take the govt's word that they are not violating the spirit think Jul 2013 #14
Yoo's unitary executive stuff is absurd Recursion Jul 2013 #19
And now important interpretations are classified. That is not a precedent I'm fond of think Jul 2013 #21
well said think! liberal_at_heart Jul 2013 #23
Thank you! /nt think Jul 2013 #30
I agree with your views and would like to subscribe to your news letter. nt Romulus Quirinus Jul 2013 #49
Thank you for the laugh. I appreciate it :) think Jul 2013 #51
The Democratic Underground.com is a wonderful place to learn and share. think Jul 2013 #53
And Raytheon begat Northrup Grumman begat Boeing begat...n/t leftstreet Jul 2013 #5
Ah, the "Letters of Marque" ProSense Jul 2013 #6
So Ron Paul supports using the Letters of marque? think Jul 2013 #15
I seem to remember he considers it a "vast untapped resource" or some crap like that Recursion Jul 2013 #18
Ron Paul favors using the Letter of Marque to use private armies and contractors think Jul 2013 #22
I'm saying it sucks and it was ever thus (nt) Recursion Jul 2013 #38
Completely agree. While I am not against transparent (non secret) cooperation think Jul 2013 #42
PATRIOT and AUMF should both be repealed Recursion Jul 2013 #43
I prefer dragging "the devil we know" before congress. Devil's hate sunshine.... think Jul 2013 #44
I think we are in agreement on this because I am against private armies also think Jul 2013 #17
So where is the open debate in congress that would enable one fifth can keep the goings of the Luminous Animal Jul 2013 #9
The one-fifth is a separate issue from the secrecy Recursion Jul 2013 #10
Yes, where does it say that? think Jul 2013 #48
That is all well and good if they have declared the enemy to be the public at large nolabels Jul 2013 #16
Show us the part about a secret interpretation of law Waiting For Everyman Jul 2013 #20
I still haven't found a provision for secret interpretation of the law in the Constititution.... think Jul 2013 #31
yeah..... dtom67 Jul 2013 #24
If we have a totalitarian government as you claim ... JoePhilly Jul 2013 #32
If evolution is true, why are there still monkeys? nt Romulus Quirinus Jul 2013 #50
So you are saying that our totalitarian government would NOT misuse JoePhilly Jul 2013 #52
Congressional secrecy isn't the same as Executive secrecy.... DeSwiss Jul 2013 #25
Thank you. aquart Jul 2013 #26
And the Constitution specifically allowed for slavery with the 3/5 compromise cali Jul 2013 #27
That and other things are my problem with originalism Recursion Jul 2013 #37
No you aren't, you are actually offering examples from the past to excuse present problems Bluenorthwest Jul 2013 #40
Well, no, I actually know why I posted what I did Recursion Jul 2013 #41
What was their stance on executive secrecy? Democracyinkind Jul 2013 #28
Most of them were alive and in Congress when Washington refused to make trade negotiations public Recursion Jul 2013 #35
So you agree that when my Senators say secrets are being kept from them that is not Bluenorthwest Jul 2013 #33
I interpret this as even if it is secret, it can be entered on the Journal with 20% ... kentuck Jul 2013 #34
I can see that interpretation Recursion Jul 2013 #36
Senators say secrets are kept from them. Illegally. Bluenorthwest Jul 2013 #39
There is indeed a problem and it revolves around the private contractor NSA relationship think Jul 2013 #45
Not one word of that applies to Contractors or the Executive Agencies 1-Old-Man Jul 2013 #46
Yes, and the Constitution specifically allows us to throw their asses out if they do so. bemildred Jul 2013 #47
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»The Constitution specific...