2 October 2006 - Monday
Recent legislation
29 September 2006, at 2:47 p.m.:
Congress passed the Military Commissions Act. Among other things, this law bars foreign prisoners from our court system:
No court, justice, or judge shall have jurisdiction to hear or consider an application for a writ of habeas corpus filed by or on behalf of an alien detained by the United States who has been determined by the United States to have been properly detained as an enemy combatant or is awaiting such determination.In other words, once a noncitizen is accused of being an enemy combatant, he or she may be imprisoned indefinitely, and no court on earth will be allowed to intervene.
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6:31 p.m. that same day:
The House of Representatives passed the Private Property Rights Implementation Act. This bill, if also passed by the Senate, will
simplify and expedite access to the Federal courts for injured parties whose rights and privileges under the United States Constitution have been deprived by final actions of Federal agencies or other government officials or entities acting under color of State law, and for other purposes.In other words, this act will make it easier for people to sue in federal court to protect their property from eminent domain.
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The first bill passed the House by a vote of 250-170. The second bill passed the House by a vote of 231-181. For the most part, the representatives who voted for the first one also voted for the second.
| Posted by Wilson at 18:46 Central | TrackBack| Report submitted to the Power Desk
No, I'm all in favor of a robust and accessible judiciary, so I have no problem with the second bill by itself. (I might if I understood its mechanics better, but I'm not opposed to its goals.) I'm just pointing out that our Congress places more value on the property of citizens than the lives of noncitizens.
The thoughts of Wilson on 2 October 2006 - 21:18 Central+ + + + +
Perhaps the following rhyme that briefly appeared on Wikipedia might interest you:
"Remember, remember the 28th of September
The torturous Congressional plot;
I know of no reason why Congress’s treason
Should ever be forgot. "
An interesting, if a bit leading, poem. Not that I think they've committed actual treason. Beyond that though...
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Wow. That's all there is to say. Maybe I should just stay over here...
The thoughts of Barbour on 3 October 2006 - 18:54 Central+ + + + +
I seem to recall that that offer was extended in your direction once before, Randy . . .
The thoughts of Blame Jared on 4 October 2006 - 10:15 Central+ + + + +
So, uh, not to be pessimistic or anything, but I've heard enough scary things about recently passed UK laws to suspect it's not much better over there.
The thoughts of Ardith on 5 October 2006 - 14:37 Central+ + + + +
Blast, Ardith. Why did you have to go and ruin my fun? Then again, it is my considered opinion that the situation over here is not quite as "hysterical" as Congressional and Presidential theatrics have made it in the States.
The thoughts of Barbour on 10 October 2006 - 17:25 Central+ + + + +
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So...are you of the opinion both are bad things?
The thoughts of Knight's Disciple on 2 October 2006 - 20:14 CentralThe first I am sure you do, as I do as well; I would much rather these criminals be tried and convicted, or found innocent, so long as a decision is reached. Someone needs to try them.
The second one...I don't like our sue-happy culture, but I am also very much a fan of private property and protecting it, as well as just compensation in cases of actual needed eminent domain (as opposed to trying to take people's land to build a new Lowe's...right across from Wal-Mart, and a mile or so away from Home Depot).
Or perhaps you purposefully stated no opnion, in hopes of avoiding flame wars. ;)
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