LOGO: Truthdig: Drilling Beneath the Headlines. A Progressive Journal of News and Opinion. Editor, Robert Scheer. Publisher, Zuade Kaufman. Winner 2013 Webby Awards for Best Political Website
May 24, 2013

 Choose a size
Text Size

Trending:     chris hedges     economy     elizabeth warren     politics     robert scheer
Most Read

How to Make a Million Dollars an Hour

Colbert Slams PBS for Appeasing Koch Brothers

A Call to Action

Obama Heckled During Speech, Warren Lands a Book Deal, and More

After Oklahoma Disaster, Give Thanks to Government

Most Comments
Most Emailed

Reports
 * NEW! * New York City’s Summers May Heat Up
 * NEW! * A Mission on Climate Change

Ear to the Ground

A/V Booth

Arts & Culture
A Call to Action
Act of Congress

Digs

Truthdig Bazaar more items

 
Ear to the Ground

Senate Votes to Keep Detention Clauses in Military Bill

Email this item Email    Print this item Print    Share this item... Share

Posted on Nov 30, 2011
Wikimedia Commons / Scrumshus

Pointing to the threat of terrorist groups like al-Qaida, Sen. Carl Levin and 60 of his colleagues voted Wednesday in favor of keeping provisions in the proposed National Defense Authorization Act that would grant the military the ability to detain terrorist suspects abroad and at home under controversial circumstances. Amy Goodman gave us a heads-up about the vote and its implications on Tuesday’s broadcast, but even warnings from the likes of Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and FBI chief Robert Mueller didn’t sway the majority of senators to vote down the measures. So now it’s up to President Obama and his executive veto powers to stop the legislation in its tracks.  —KA

The New York Times:

The most disputed provision would require the government to place into military custody any suspected member of Al Qaeda or one of its allies connected to a plot against the United States or its allies. The provision would exempt American citizens, but would otherwise extend to arrests on United States soil. The executive branch could issue a waiver and keep such a prisoner in the civilian system.

A related provision would create a federal statute saying the government has the legal authority to keep people suspected of terrorism in military custody, indefinitely and without trial. It contains no exception for American citizens. It is intended to bolster the authorization to use military force against the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, which lawmakers enacted a decade ago.

The administration has strongly opposed the mandatory military custody provision, saying it “would raise serious and unsettled legal questions and would be inconsistent with the fundamental American principle that our military does not patrol our streets.”

Read more

More Below the Ad

Advertisement


New and Improved Comments

If you have trouble leaving a comment, review this help page. Still having problems? Let us know. If you find yourself moderated, take a moment to review our comment policy.

By ardee, December 2, 2011 at 4:27 pm Link to this comment

Outraged, December 2 at 9:30 am

You are henceforth to be known as “Vile Offering”.

Report this
Outraged's avatar

By Outraged, December 2, 2011 at 10:30 am Link to this comment

Hey ardee fartee

Your comment: “One must wonder at the type of moron
who would post a vile offering berating the “vile
offering” of another.”

Is this your way of admitting you post vile offerings?

Report this

By ardee, December 2, 2011 at 3:23 am Link to this comment

(Although I won’t hold my breath waiting for something from you that isn’t vile nonsense)


Like we would not expect any offspring of your parents with any level of intelligence or honesty.

One must wonder at the type of moron who would post a vile offering berating the “vile offering” of another. But lets not go there.

You misinterpreted my post, admit it fool. Now you offer some sophomoric back pedalling crap when you should just STFU

Like we would not expect any offspring of your parents with any level of intelligence or honesty.

Report this
Napolean DoneHisPart's avatar

By Napolean DoneHisPart, December 1, 2011 at 11:38 pm Link to this comment

Hate to sounds like an overt pessimist or crass sarcastic boob… but I don’t trust ANYONE on the ‘hill’ nor who is a career politico… but the outcome of this seems hopeful…. yet I’d like to find out what other deals or fine print did pass ( concessions and such ):

http://12160.info/page/senate-passes-defense-bill-with-defeat-of-detainee-amendment?xg_source=msg_mes_network

Report this

By NZDoug, December 1, 2011 at 11:30 pm Link to this comment

Sing along with me!
And the terrorists will get you, and your nose is gonna grow, oh oh oh, oh,oh…

Report this
Outraged's avatar

By Outraged, December 1, 2011 at 10:09 am Link to this comment

Re: ardee fartee

Your comment:“What the flock are you ranting
about, jackwagon?”

Your post:
“By ardee, November 29 at 2:02 pm Link to this
comment
Lafayette, November 29 at 2:25 am

Actually your beloved Democrats have become a
right of center party, have silenced the black caucus
and the progressive caucus within it.

The fixation that both parties have on corporate
funding, and have you heard anyone within that party
to which you sell your soul, or at least your common
sense, call for campaign finance reform, makes a
third party a necessity.”

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/will_moderates_defeat_moderation_20111127/

Obviously ardee fartee, if you had read what I said
it is clear that I was making reference to your
nastiness. BTW, ” if you wipe the spittle off your
monitor you might read posts with more clarity.”

(Although I won’t hold my breath waiting for something from you that isn’t vile nonsense)

Report this
Napolean DoneHisPart's avatar

By Napolean DoneHisPart, December 1, 2011 at 8:54 am Link to this comment

prisnersdilema has a startling point…. for history doesn’t repeat itself for no other reason other than revealing man’s character, heart and repetitive nature. 

Looking at how other wars started ( after the omissions and narrative are installed and corrected ), it is no stretch of the imagination that Iran has been in Amerika’s sight as the next conquest… and the squeezing of the citizenry to comply, accept or face dire consequences ( just like Germany this time last century… and so on back into history ).

Report this

By A. Benway, December 1, 2011 at 8:46 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Perhaps the Senators remember what’s forgotten here, anthrax…

Report this
prisnersdilema's avatar

By prisnersdilema, December 1, 2011 at 8:38 am Link to this comment

Do the citizens of this country owe allegiance to a criminal government, teetering on the
brink of insolvency…preparing for a a great war against Iran…they will draft and murder
your children, they don’t even bother to ask for your consent…

They will keep up appearances even as you are making grass soup in a tin can….

Report this
thecrow's avatar

By thecrow, December 1, 2011 at 8:00 am Link to this comment

“It contains no exception for American citizens. It is intended to bolster the authorization to use military force against the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, which lawmakers enacted a decade ago.”

Fine. “Use of military force” against the treasonous shitweasels who pulled the 9/11 false flag is long overdue.

http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2011/11/11/illicit-but-ill-defined/

Report this

By ardee, December 1, 2011 at 4:26 am Link to this comment

Outraged, November 30 at 11:27 pm Link to this comment

Hey ardee fartee

There were only 2 Republicans Paul and Kirk to vote yea, one independent Sanders (of course) but ALL THE REST were those “beloved Democrats” as you so often like to refer.

What the flock are you ranting about, jackwagon?

When and where have I supported the democrats in anything? You are a moron obviously and reading challenged as well apparently.

By the by, if you wipe the spittle off your monitor you might read posts with more clarity.

Report this

By Craig, December 1, 2011 at 12:46 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Treason is what it’s called, they would be hung in the old days.

Report this
Outraged's avatar

By Outraged, December 1, 2011 at 12:27 am Link to this comment

Hey ardee fartee

There were only 2 Republicans Paul and Kirk to vote
yea, one independent Sanders (of course) but ALL THE
REST were those “beloved Democrats” as you so often
like to refer.

But yep. The DEMOCRATS are definitely the good guys
here as a rule of thumb. However, it appears we’re
just going to have to can those outliers.

For the interim I’ll be busy canning a Governor but
after that I’ll have a little more “free time”.

Just thought you’d like an update.

Report this
Napolean DoneHisPart's avatar

By Napolean DoneHisPart, November 30, 2011 at 11:18 pm Link to this comment

Wow.

How about a simple google search for that term and leave the koolaid alone with all that stuff about the Morons… jeez.

Back to something set in reality; whether it is the Mormon guy, the Baptist, the so-called patriot / libertarian, the bug eyed woman or Obummer…. policy will not change. 

Amerika will continue forward into Fascism.

Report this

By heterochromatic, November 30, 2011 at 10:50 pm Link to this comment

the Goyim are the people that the Mormons call the Gentiles….

and yeah, I know who the Mormons are….they’re a group of idolators bent on
world domination via impregnating all the native American women because
them women have supernatural spiritual powers and a tremendous grasp of
prose styling….the Mormons have long, since the Eisenhower years,  secretly
controlled the US treasury and the FBI.

They dont drink liquor or stimulative hot drinks and once a month slaughter
young Gentiles and drink some of their blood. As well, they mix some of the
fresh blood of a Gentile virgin sacrifice into their own special Wonder Bread,
Kraft mayonnaise, and Sta-puft Marshmallow Spread.
(the Sta-Puft Marshmallow Man is an incarnation of the Angel Moroni who
brings gifts of special underwear to Mormon children when they reach puberty)


Is that enough to show you that I know all about the Church of the LSD people?

Report this
Napolean DoneHisPart's avatar

By Napolean DoneHisPart, November 30, 2011 at 10:34 pm Link to this comment

The Mormons?  Are you Mormon?

Do you know who the Goyim are?

Report this

By arkay, November 30, 2011 at 8:24 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

A setup for the campaign, an absolutely shameless setup so they can say “Obama veroed the NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT…..  blah blah blah.

It’s a puppet show, a very scary puppet show.

Report this

By heterochromatic, November 30, 2011 at 7:36 pm Link to this comment

NapD

~~~~~ ( those who subject the Goyim to labor and see
them as their slaves / dogs )~~~~~

is this some kind of slam aimed at the Mormons?

Are you one of those folks think that if Romney gets
into the White House he’s gonna harm the Christians?

Report this

By When in the course of human events..., November 30, 2011 at 7:28 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

This is legalized TYRANNY staring you right in the face.

and you can be certain oreobama will sign it.

So what you gonna do about it?

Take part in some non violent protest?
Write your congressguy, the very same who promoted
this and went along with it?
Maybe vote for another guy who is also part of that system on some rigged voting machine?
Vent on a blog?

What a sad excuse for Americans you idiots are, because I will remind you that the Founding Fathers hoped that the last rampart against tyranny was the people…

You are proving them wrong.

The people of these United States today have been emasculated, they are nothing but sheep led blissfully to slaughter, unworthy of Liberty.

These congressional traitors have declared war on our cherished Constitution.

When is it you start saying it’s enough and start FIGHTING back.  Armed insurrection time is here, now! Lone wolf style, make sabotage become a new art form, a copycat craze.

You want your freedom back? 

You’re gonna have to FIGHT for it.

Lest it be lost forever.

Report this
Napolean DoneHisPart's avatar

By Napolean DoneHisPart, November 30, 2011 at 7:11 pm Link to this comment

Obvious Police State to weed out people like me…

If anyone is found not obeying or towing the line, but instead is a ‘thinker’ or can ‘see’ who is really in charge and what is really going on ( those who subject the Goyim to labor and see them as their slaves / dogs ), you very well may end up in a cage with any kind of accusation thrown at you… I think I’ll be moving now, thank you Amerika… glad I woke up from that Amerikan Dream.

Report this

By objective observer, November 30, 2011 at 5:33 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Gmonst:

Amendment VI only applies to US citizens and those who do not instigate or actively pursue war against the US.  if the latter, they forfeit (sp?)all rights.  otherwise they are all fair game.

Report this

By heterochromatic, November 30, 2011 at 4:46 pm Link to this comment

G~~~~ what the bill does is avoid ( and likely void) criminal prosecution for some
people and makes them POWs.

Report this

By Gmonst, November 30, 2011 at 4:29 pm Link to this comment

Disgusting, truly disgusting.  Check the link at the bottom to see those who would betray the constitution which they have vowed to protect.  Traitorous if you ask me.

Amendment VI:

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

http://warisacrime.org/content/heres-how-your-senators-voted-udall-amendment-strip-out-war-and-imprisonment-power-grabs

Report this

By Quinn D., November 30, 2011 at 4:23 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

With the failure of the Udall Amendment and the likely passing of the bill in the Senate, the last hope to kill this bill with in its current form is for a presidential veto. Use your voice to influence the Obama Administration to follow through with its statement that they will veto this act. Please consider signing the online petition on the White House website (link below). Thanks

http://wh.gov/jeY

Report this

By heterochromatic, November 30, 2011 at 2:24 pm Link to this comment

ardee—15 other dems joined Levin

Report this

By heterochromatic, November 30, 2011 at 2:20 pm Link to this comment

concerning the military custody provision…..............OBAMA is not going to sign
this if the thing ever is passed…..


~~`The Administration strongly objects to the military custody provision of
section 1032, which would appear to mandate military custody for a certain
class of terrorism suspects. This unnecessary, untested, and legally
controversial restriction of the President’s authority to defend the Nation from
terrorist threats would tie the hands of our intelligence and law enforcement
professionals. Moreover, applying this military custody requirement to
individuals inside the United States, as some Members of Congress have
suggested is their intention, would raise serious and unsettled legal questions
and would be inconsistent with the fundamental American principle that our
military does not patrol our streets.~~~~

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/legislative/sap/112/saps1
867s_20111117.pdf

 

this is electioneering bullshit and part of the whole” Obama is soft on terrorism
because he’s secretly a Muslim” deal.

Report this

By berniem, November 30, 2011 at 2:17 pm Link to this comment

We know what we have with Obama and what we’ll get with one of the clown car bunch. Come 2012 it’s going to hit the fan!

Report this

By faith, November 30, 2011 at 1:41 pm Link to this comment

Our nation is in crisis.  When our elected governmental leaders vote against our
guaranteed constitutional rights and freedoms, then allow the government to
oppress our constitutional right of due process we are in serious situs.  Just
unbelieveable.  Write and let your congress know that we have guaranteed rights
and they cannot incarcerate our citizens by a flippant, ill conceived, illegal vote to
dissolve those rights.  Unbelievable.

Report this

By afs, November 30, 2011 at 1:29 pm Link to this comment

You mean the National Fascist Authorization Act. “Al-Queda” is as real as the Gleiwitz_incident - Joseph Goebbels claims of Polish assaults on Nazi Germany’s territory in late August of 1939.

Report this

By ardee, November 30, 2011 at 1:17 pm Link to this comment

Sixty, huh?  How many of Levin’s fellow Democrats voted for this atrocity?

Report this

By Steve E, November 30, 2011 at 1:15 pm Link to this comment

Add a dash of enhanced interrogation and presto My Fuhrer we are in business.
Oh by the way, will there be any assassinations today Mr. Hope and Change?

Report this

By Ian, November 30, 2011 at 12:37 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

This bill is an outrage. That 60 senators voted to
keep the most odious provisions is frightening.  We
are now fully sliding down the slippery slope. Levin,
McCain and the others who supported it should be
tossed out of Congress.

Report this
Newsletter

sign up to get updates


 
 
 
 
Join the Liberal Blog Advertising Network
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A Progressive Journal of News and Opinion. Editor, Robert Scheer. Publisher, Zuade Kaufman.
© 2013 Truthdig, LLC. All rights reserved.