One hell of an article.

[King Coal]

Editor's Note: Many Americans are in denial about what is happening to the United States. They don't want to believe that a totalitarian structure could be put in place in their own country. They don't want to view the various pieces of George W. Bush's "anti-terror" system in that broad a context. They hope that someone or something -- the Supreme Court maybe -- will strike down the excesses of the Republican-controlled Congress and the Executive Branch.

Though there are still obstacles that stand in Bush's way -- the Nov. 7 elections, for instance -- America's march down a road to a new-age totalitarianism has advanced farther than many understand, as freelance reporter Carla Binion argues in this disturbing guest essay:

On October 17, George W. Bush signed into law the Military Commissions Act of 2006. This new law gives Bush power similar to that possessed by Stalin or Hitler, and grants agencies within the Executive Branch powers similar to those of the KGB or Gestapo.

Bush justifies this act by claiming he needs it to fight the "war on terror," but a number of critics, including former counterterrorism officials, have said the administration has greatly exaggerated the threat and used illogical methods to combat terrorism. (Examples are listed below.)






http://www.consortiumnews.com/2006/102106a.html

[OneBlueSky]

1. kicked and recommended . . . n/t

.

[SeattleGirl]

2. One hell of an article!

k&r

[young_at_heart]

3. Well, is our Congress in denial too?

Since the majority went along with this travesty, I guess they can't face the truth!

[femrap]

4. And such a rush to get this law passed before

everyone went home to campaign for the midterm election. WHY? Why such a rush?

I fear some type of false flag operation before Congress returns. And now I read that our ships are headed to Iran.

Evil people who are cornered become their most dangerous.

[BelgianMadCow]

5. Never Forget. Ihr habt es alle gewusst. K&R

[Bad Penny]

6. The first time I ever laid eyes on Bush

I got disturbing vibes. The unprecedented election debacle and his subsequent controversial appointment by the supreme court of 2000 was fitting for whom I still lay even money odds is a harbinger of civilization's doom right out of the bible. I have not been wrong about Bush in 6 years. He's an acid tongued termite eating away the pillar of human liberty and common decency, and we're in for a very, very VERY worrying next two years.

2:1 he'll have the US under martial law by 2008 and have declared himself caesar

[kestrel91316]

12. I know exactly what you mean. Very early in his campaign

I started telling people he was evil, and would have us at war within a year of taking office. I was right.

He set off radar alarms for me from DAY ONE.

[Bad Penny]

15. Yep me too

I told a lot of people around me he'd have a war with Iraq going within a year if he became president. Took a little longer than a year to get it rolling but not by much. I got an overwhelming feeling of dread the day he announced he was running for the white house.

[Martin Eden]

7. Is HABEAS CORPUS still intact for US citizens?

This is the sticking point in debates about the Military Commissions Act, which has wording that seems to apply only to non-citizens. If this Act does indeed essentially strip habeas corpus from US citizens, I would appreciate a link to a sound legal argument that makes that case.

I need ammunition for battle in freeperland.

[tavalon]

8. No

See Keith Olbermann's discussions regarding the death of Habeas Corpus. You can find them on YouTube.

[Martin Eden]

9. I've seen KO's commentaries

As great as they are, they do not qualify as an unbiased legal analysis of how the Military Commissions Act of 2006 can be used to deny habeas corpus US citizens.

[Land Shark]

13. Hitler would have said his laws applied only to Jews, not German CITIZENS

this is a corrupt, morally bankrupt citizen v noncitizen distinction!!

But there are about 5 different ways to aply the law to citizens, #1 is the ability to use unlimited discretion to declare unlawful enemy combatants in US Citizens

But dear Lord, Lindh, Padilla, and Hamdi were ALL US citizens and all held without trial, bail or charge for a long time as unlawful enemy combatants. Why would anyone be reassured that the law has greatly expanded??

[Martin Eden]

14. I'm NOT reassured Habeas is intact for citizens

and even if it was only denied to non-citizens, I have a real problem with that as well.

What I n e e d though is a link to a sound legal argument explaining how under the Military Commissions Act of 2006 habeas can be denied to US citizens.

[Jcrowley]

10. Here's the key component

The U.S. Congress, like the German Reichstag, has abdicated its democratic responsibilities by granting Bush an inordinate amount of power - "with scarcely a ripple of opposition or defiance."  The U.S. press has abandoned its role as democracy's watchdog by failing to question this development.   Both of these institutions have failed the American people.

It's easy to blame Bush and Co., and correct, but more of the blame belongs in the halls of Congress where there has been an absolute rollover in the past 6 years. That should disturb us as much as any of this.

Energy scarcity is on it's way and they know it. That means upheaval.

K&R

[glitch]

11. Carla Binion is an excellent journalist. It's good to see consortiumnews

printing an article from her. K & R thanks for posting. Hell of an article indeed.

Edit to add this paragraph:
"Generations to come might ask why this president who lied so often, about Iraq and other critical matters, was ever entrusted with enough power to damage this country's founding principles and wage endless, unprovoked war on other nations. If Congress and the media would ask these questions now, they might prevent Bush from doing further harm. This might save many lives, prevent much unnecessary suffering and possibly steer this country out of its present darkness."