Breaking: Text of H.R. 3076- September 11 Marque and Reprisal Act of 2001

Thomas ^ | 10/16/2001 | Ron Paul

[GVnana]

"This is a waste of time."

I don't think so and I'll tell you why. Under the provisions of this act, captured "belligerants" will be tried in military courts. A solution I whole-heartedly approve of as I don't believe the American public should be saddled with the indignity of providing public trials to these monsters and the danger of giving them a forum.

[Eastbound]

"They have no binding force."

Probably because our U.S. Constitution/Bill of Rights is the Supreme law of the land. That means nothing can be deleted from it...though amendments can be added if they are in harmony with the whole document and no conflict is found.

Congress can pass no laws, even laws Congress wants to pass which are based on treaties and the enforcements thereof which are not in pursuance to the Constitution. (Article VI, para 2.)

Article I, Section 8 declares that Congress has the power to grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, [but it has no power to nullify that power, either by legislation, treaty, or amendment]. IMO. Looks to me like this article is still operational.

[Styria]

Since when is the UN a sovereign state? I could care less if you crossed their claimed borders. But they do have security guys with guns and a limited amount of space to protect.

NYC has lots of different people, but there you can at least go a little ways and be able to hide out as part of the general population. I doubt Tehran has an Americatown or any place easy so easy to hide in.

[Demidog]

I always want your kind of help. :)

Just the acknowledgement that I'm not alone is a load off.

[Demidog]

Isn't it funny? The 4 year contract for an enlisted man violates the constitution. The constitution is a completely disrespected document. People despise it. Perhaps because everytime they read it, they realize just how illegitimate most government actions are?

[Styria]

I read a published copy of the log book from two cruises of an American privateer in the War of 1812. I assume that besides it just being common, sensible practice, the log would be used in the claims court:

District and Port of Bristol, October 13th, 1812

I, Oliver Wilson, commander of the brig Yankee, do solemnly swear that the foregoing is a true journal of the late course of said brig and that all the material occurrences on the course are therein faithfully recorded.

So help me God.
Oliver Wilson

Sworn to before
Charles Collins

These guys had the problem of getting whole ships back to the claims court, dividing up the crew and dealing with prisoners. In one case, they gave a captured ship to their prisoners and sent them off. You could do that today if you decided that someone was worth giving captured goods away to, and I don't think the claims court would have a problem with it. On land, I suppose the best way would be to raid supply depots and distribute what food you don't need to the people living there, if you could do it without compromising yourselves.

[Styria]

Doesn't that just mean that Congress would have to get together every two years to vote on a new appropriation of money for the same standing Army? So they can't just say that so much of the budget goes to the Army for the rest of time and then forget about it and not be involved in oversight?

[Deb]

Doesn't it occur to anyone (like R. Paul), that lots of the provisions in this bill are identical to the ones in the terrorist bill that would allow the FBI and CIA powers equal to local police forces?

Most of the people applauding on this thread are the same ones who go apoplectic over the "extra-constituionality" of the terrorism bill, so using their lame hysterics, what would stop another corrupt, Clinton-like administration from turning these Pirate Busters on American gun-owners or bong users or cyber-kiddie porn fans? What stops them from seizing your stuff when their sojourn in the dust & flea capital of the world ends? Courtesy of gun-grabbing President, John Edwards.

If it's all the same to Mr. Paul, I prefer the knowledge that the 10th Mountain Division is paying a silent visit to the Talibaniacs. But I guess a bunch of free-lance, glory boys stumbling around millions of acres of Afghan rock piles and mine fields could serve as pretty cool decoys, so...bring 'em on! It would be fun to see who signed up.

[Deb]

Your last paragraph was my second question.

If it's in the Constitution, why do we need this bill? Isn't it redundant? And weren't the Contras some of our Marque and Reprisal Guys?

[nunya bidness]

But I guess a bunch of free-lance, glory boys stumbling around millions of acres of Afghan rock piles and mine fields could serve as pretty cool decoys, so...bring 'em on! It would be fun to see who signed up.

You never know. Those "glory boys" could be greedy bearded members of the Taliban who want out. Me thinks the lady doth protest too much.

[Deb]

Yeah, right. And just how do the defecting Taliban members learn about any of this?

And the time frame for action is what? When, exactly, will these buckling swashers be ready to kick some goat-roping butt?

PS: Your misuse of Shakespeare is embarrassing.

[Demidog]

If it's in the Constitution, why do we need this bill?

Same reason they needed a bill back in 1780. Hope that helps.

[Demidog]

Doesn't it occur to anyone (like R. Paul), that lots of the provisions in this bill are identical to the ones in the terrorist bill that would allow the FBI and CIA powers equal to local police forces?

Really? Which ones? And you are aware that the actions of private individuals are in a wholly different category than the government employee are you not?

[Demidog]

PS: Your misuse of Shakespeare is embarrassing.

She's right. She's no Lady. Perhaps "Something's rotten in Denmark" would have been more appropriate.

[rainingred]

Thanks for the explanation of Marque and Reprisal

...whoever has them [ Marque and Reprisal] will have the nightmare of infiltrating countries where the people look different and speak different languages.

Americans come in all shapes and sizes and many speak different languages. This is one nightmare I think some enterprising Americans could wake up from.

BTW It's nice to see so many Constitution lovers on FR today.

[nunya bidness]

Perhaps your right.

How's this:

---

PROSPERO Dost thou think so, spirit?

ARIEL Mine would, sir, were I human.

PROSPERO And mine shall.

Hast thou, which art but air, a touch, a feeling

Of their afflictions, and shall not myself,

One of their kind, that relish all as sharply,

Passion as they, be kindlier moved than thou art?

Though with their high wrongs I am struck to the quick,

Yet with my nobler reason 'gaitist my fury

Do I take part: the rarer action is

In virtue than in vengeance: they being penitent,

The sole drift of my purpose doth extend

Not a frown further. Go release them, Ariel:

My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore,

And they shall be themselves.

ARIEL I'll fetch them, sir.

---

Where's that soft white part you protect? Do you always sleep on your stomach? Better pay attention. You might roll over.

[Eastbound]

Looks like H.R. 3076 is the first step in activating the process of granting Letters of Marque by spelling out the terms and authorizing the president to act in this specific instance.

Re: the Contra's? Interesting question, but one that I wouldn't attempt to figure out.

[rainingred]

Thanks for the links. Made life a bit easier.

Something tells me snail mail would be less welcome and a heck of a lot slower these days.

[Deb]

Somebody's been in the Ripple.

[Deb]

Which ones?

You were saying something about seizures. Isn't that one of the things that scares all the loonies?

Can't this be turned on the gun-owners? Cigarette smokers? Can't president John Edwards use free-lancers to kick your ass, take your guns, house, marital aids and throw you in jail? Weren't the Contras Marque & Reprisal Guys?