US Attorney General Questions Habeas Corpus

spiedrazer writes "In yet another attempt to create legitimacy for the Bush Administration's many questionable legal practices, US attorney General Alberto Gonzales actually had the audacity to argue before a Congressional committee that the US Constitution doesn't explicitly bestow habeas corpus rights on US citizens. In his view it merely says when the so-called Great Writ can be suspended, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the rights are granted. The Attorney General was being questioned by Sen. Arlen Specter at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Jan. 18. THe MSM are not covering this story but Colbert is (click on the fourth video down, 'Exact Words')." From the Baltimore Chronicle and Sentinel commentary: "While Gonzales's statement has a measure of quibbling precision to it, his logic is troubling because it would suggest that many other fundamental rights that Americans hold dear (such as free speech, freedom of religion, and the right to assemble peacefully) also don't exist because the Constitution often spells out those rights in the negative. It boggles the mind the lengths this administration will go to to systematically erode the rights and privileges we have all counted on and held up as the granite pillars of our society since our nation was founded."

Comments

Tyrants?

[intnsred]

Given Bush's wanton violations of the law (e.g. 800+ "signing statements", the tapping of our phones, etc.), the Supreme Court's ruling that Bush violated the Geneva Conventions (making him a de facto war criminal), and the many thoroughly warped claims and positions taken by Ashcroft and Gonzalez, when are we going to face the fact that these people are merely wannabe tyrants and are coming closer and closer to shedding their "wannabe" status?

And when are we going to decide that their actions are "high crimes" and act to remove these tyrants from office?

Has the rule of law ceased to exist in the U.S.?

[Futurepower(R)]

I agree. If there is no trial for treason, then the rule of law has ceased to exist in the United States.

The Bush administration is the most corrupt administration the U.S. has ever had. Here is my summary of the corruption: George W. Bush comedy and tragedy.

I hope you will write your own summary and send it to your elected representatives.

--
U.S. government violence in Iraq caused more violence, not peaceful democracy.

Why is this on Slashdot at all?

[Nom du Keyboard]

Why is this on Slashdot at all, except for someone's left political ranting, and a Slashdot admin willing to promote it?

Re:Rights? Wrong.

[Marxist Hacker 42]

Until you can name a racial, national, or religious minority that is being systematically exterminated (in cold blood, preferably) by "BushCo" -- or any hints of same -- kindly cease from dragging up "American decline into Fascism" all the time. (This request also applies to your fan(s) among moderators.)

How about an economic class minority? Well, ok, so really they're the majority (people making between $36,000/year and $64,000/year) but they won't be for long if we continue ill-advised free-trade treaties.

Oh yeah, and then there are Sunni Iraqis- our support of a terrorist Shi'a government in Iraq could well result in their extermination, if it wasn't for Syria.