27-05-2011, 04:45 PM
House Passes Bill Authorizing an Endless "Worldwide War" 
:moon:
The Republican-led House has passed a defense spending bill Thursday with a number of controversial provisions. If signed into law, the bill would prohibit any non-U.S. citizen suspected of terrorism from receiving a federal trial regardless of where they were arrested. In addition, the bill expands the president's ability to wage an endless worldwide war against terrorism suspects and against nations suspected of supporting them even when there is no connection to the Sept. 11 attacks. Laura Murphy of the American Civil Liberties Union criticized the bill saying: "A new authorization of worldwide war will mean unrestricted powers to use the military at home and abroad.":moon:
Nothing to worry about.....go back to your TV or barbecue....all is fine...in safe hands. Smile!
:finger:
February 19, 2011
Bill Contains Many Anti-Civil Liberties Provisions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (202) 236-7031 or 675-2312; media@dcaclu.org
WASHINGTON The House passed a continuing resolution early today containing several troubling anti-civil liberties provisions.
"The bill passed by the House is a minefield for civil liberties," said Laura W. Murphy, Director of the American Civil Liberties Union Washington Legislative Office. "In a matter of days, the House has voted to jeopardize women's health, chip away at due process rights and inhibit Americans' unfettered access to the Internet. Americans' rights and civil liberties should not be so easily discarded by those sworn to uphold the Constitution. The Senate should reject each of the disturbing amendments in this bill."
The continuing resolution, H.R. 1, is a bill meant to fund the government through the current fiscal year and is considered "must pass" legislation, but became a vehicle for many problematic amendments, including:
An amendment introduced by Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) barring funding for the Federal Communications Commission's implementation of recently adopted net neutrality rules; and
An amendment to eliminate all federal funding to Planned Parenthood, introduced by Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) penalizing Planned Parenthood because its clinics perform abortions, though they do so without federal dollars.
The House also failed to adopt a positive amendment that would have scaled back the reach of an overbroad Patriot Act provision.
The base language for the continuing resolution also had troubling provisions including one that would eliminate funds to the critical Title X National Family Planning Program, which provides much needed services nationwide and is the only way for many low-income families to access essential reproductive health care, as well as a blanket ban on Guantánamo detainee transfers to the United States for any reason, including prosecution in federal courts. The transfer ban is significant because it would apply to all government funds, and not just to the Defense Department funds that already are restricted.
The Senate has expressed opposition to taking up the final House bill and President Obama, citing several concerns, has issued a veto threat for the legislation.
:moon:The Republican-led House has passed a defense spending bill Thursday with a number of controversial provisions. If signed into law, the bill would prohibit any non-U.S. citizen suspected of terrorism from receiving a federal trial regardless of where they were arrested. In addition, the bill expands the president's ability to wage an endless worldwide war against terrorism suspects and against nations suspected of supporting them even when there is no connection to the Sept. 11 attacks. Laura Murphy of the American Civil Liberties Union criticized the bill saying: "A new authorization of worldwide war will mean unrestricted powers to use the military at home and abroad."
:moon:Nothing to worry about.....go back to your TV or barbecue....all is fine...in safe hands. Smile!
:finger:February 19, 2011
Bill Contains Many Anti-Civil Liberties Provisions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (202) 236-7031 or 675-2312; media@dcaclu.org
WASHINGTON The House passed a continuing resolution early today containing several troubling anti-civil liberties provisions.
"The bill passed by the House is a minefield for civil liberties," said Laura W. Murphy, Director of the American Civil Liberties Union Washington Legislative Office. "In a matter of days, the House has voted to jeopardize women's health, chip away at due process rights and inhibit Americans' unfettered access to the Internet. Americans' rights and civil liberties should not be so easily discarded by those sworn to uphold the Constitution. The Senate should reject each of the disturbing amendments in this bill."
The continuing resolution, H.R. 1, is a bill meant to fund the government through the current fiscal year and is considered "must pass" legislation, but became a vehicle for many problematic amendments, including:
An amendment introduced by Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) barring funding for the Federal Communications Commission's implementation of recently adopted net neutrality rules; and
An amendment to eliminate all federal funding to Planned Parenthood, introduced by Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) penalizing Planned Parenthood because its clinics perform abortions, though they do so without federal dollars.
The House also failed to adopt a positive amendment that would have scaled back the reach of an overbroad Patriot Act provision.
The base language for the continuing resolution also had troubling provisions including one that would eliminate funds to the critical Title X National Family Planning Program, which provides much needed services nationwide and is the only way for many low-income families to access essential reproductive health care, as well as a blanket ban on Guantánamo detainee transfers to the United States for any reason, including prosecution in federal courts. The transfer ban is significant because it would apply to all government funds, and not just to the Defense Department funds that already are restricted.
The Senate has expressed opposition to taking up the final House bill and President Obama, citing several concerns, has issued a veto threat for the legislation.
"Let me issue and control a nation's money and I care not who writes the laws. - Mayer Rothschild
"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience! People are obedient in the face of poverty, starvation, stupidity, war, and cruelty. Our problem is that grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem!" - Howard Zinn
"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will" - Frederick Douglass
"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience! People are obedient in the face of poverty, starvation, stupidity, war, and cruelty. Our problem is that grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem!" - Howard Zinn
"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will" - Frederick Douglass