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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks
While I have sympathies with this organization, whenever anyone trashes the Constitution, they are on my turf. The Detainee Act does NOTHING to eliminate habeas corpus.

In 1942, the Supreme Court ruled UNANIMOUSLY (in the Quirin case) that the trial court was wrong, habeas corpus DID apply to eight German saboteurs who had been tried and convicted by a military tribunal, and six sentenced to death. Having taken jurisdiction, the Court then ruled that use of the military tribunal was constitutional, even for saboteur who was an American citizen.

In short, even those this Act is now in place, there will STILL be judicial review. Habeas corpus is still there. What they will NOT have -- just as in Quirin -- are all the guarantees of the Bill of Rights in ordinary "Article III" federal courts.

Sheesh. Get it straight.

Congressman Billybob

Latest article: "An Open Letter to President Bollinger"

Please see my most recent new statement on running for Congress, here.

24 posted on 10/22/2006 6:54:05 AM PDT by Congressman Billybob (Have a look-see. Please get involved.)
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To: Congressman Billybob
Thanks Congressman Billybob!

This claim raised my eyebrow:

Turley points out that even giving "material support" (such as a donation) to an organization that has been deemed "terrorist" can get you designated an enemy combatant as well. And who determines which organizations are associated with terrorism? The president alone.

The question "What would (or could) Hillary Do?" should automatically apply to any assessment.

How does this stand in your view from this vantage point? I'm just seeking reassurance; I'd feel better if these things automatically ended within a designated period.

Thanks,

Tom

42 posted on 10/22/2006 7:20:21 AM PDT by tsomer
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To: Congressman Billybob
I don't find the habeas situation in the Act very clear, but, from what I've read, I don't think you're right. Specifically, I think the Act only restricts habeas for aliens but the restriction is that they can't make habeas claims involving the Geneva Convention.

Assuming that's true, and supposing it's challenged, I expect the SC will overrule that as an unconstitutional encroachment on their authority and on the rights of the petitioners, aliens though they be. The Geneva Conventions are part of our law and to exclude it from consideration is a fundamental diminution of the habeas right.

IMO, the Act should have instead established a secret court to consider habeas claims of detained combatants.

75 posted on 10/22/2006 11:44:11 AM PDT by edsheppa
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