In a recent decision by the United States Supreme Court, detainees at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba facility for incarceration have been assigned constitutional rights. In spite of being foreign nationals, they will enjoy the rights of American citizens.
In a 5-4 decision, the court determined that they should join the vast hordes of drug dealers, purse snatchers, drunk drivers and other felons who are processed through our court systems. Despite being terrorists in time of war and protected to the extreme in GITMO, the solons in their wisdom decided to give them the same rights you enjoy in our court system.
Representative Louis Gohmert (R-TX) framed a piece of legislation on July 24, 2008 to add details of their imprisonment which the court did not anticipate. This is a genuine proposal and requires action on the part of the House of Representatives. While unlikely to come to the floor for a vote it would be interesting to see who would support and who would not vote for it.
Here is printed the actual text of the proposed legislation:
HR 6615 IH
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6615
To provide for the transport of the enemy combatants detained in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to Washington, DC, where the United States Supreme Court will be able to more effectively micromanage the detainees by holding them on the Supreme Court grounds, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 24, 2008
Mr. GOHMERT introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A BILL
To provide for the transport of the enemy combatants detained in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to Washington, DC, where the United States Supreme Court will be able to more effectively micromanage the detainees by holding them on the Supreme Court grounds, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘Giving Inmate Terrorists More Opportunities (GITMO) Act of 2008’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The United States Supreme Court issued an opinion styled Boumediene v. Bush on June 12, 2008.
(2) Justice Anthony Kennedy, in the court’s majority opinion, held that foreign terrorism suspects held at the Guantanamo Bay naval base in Cuba have constitutional rights to challenge their detention in United States courts.
(3) This is an obvious effort on the part of the Supreme Court to micromanage the detainment and disposition of detainees in the War on Terror who are dedicated to destroying innocent people and the American way of life.
(4) The United States Supreme Court clearly needs increased opportunity to oversee the handling of the enemy combatants, as it has seen fit to take a greater role in managing the Global War on Terror, which is a duty previously exercised by the Executive Branch.
(5) There can be no better way for the United States Supreme Court to exercise its new self-appointed war powers than to house the prisoners whom it has taken a greater role in overseeing.
SEC. 3. TRANSPORTATION AND DETAINMENT OF ENEMY COMBATANTS.
(a) Transportation- The Secretary of Defense shall immediately transport all enemy combatants detained in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to Washington, DC, where the United States Supreme Court shall hold the prisoners on the Court grounds, confined by adequate fencing.
(b) Shelter on Supreme Court Building Grounds- The Secretary of Defense, in conjunction with Justice Anthony Kennedy, the author of the majority opinion in Boumediene v. Bush, is directed to provide shelter for the detainees outside the United States Supreme Court building, but on the building grounds. The Secretary of Defense shall provide guards to watch over the prisoners and shall implement a system to ensure that the prisoners receive the appropriate amount of food and water. Should the detainees need the use of restroom facilities, they shall use the facilities inside the United States Supreme Court building. The Chief Justice, if the Chief Justice so chooses, may perform the duties of Justice Anthony Kennedy under this subsection.
(c) Guard Duty- If any of the nine Supreme Court justices desire at any time to stand guard over the prisoners, or to provide the prisoners with their meals or water, or both, then the justices shall be permitted to perform these functions whenever they want.
SEC. 4. ENFORCEMENT.
If either the Secretary of Defense or any justice of the Supreme Court refuses to carry out their duties under this Act, then their respective department or court shall receive funding for the next fiscal year at half the level of funding appropriated for the current fiscal year, or until such time as the Supreme Court no longer desires to micromanage the prisoners who have sworn to destroy our way of life.
---------------------------------------------
At least one guy gets it. My best wishes to representative Gohmert in his efforts.
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
Friday, August 1, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Monday Morning Rant 48
For those unfamiliar with Scott Ott, I have here an outstanding example of his continuing excellence in the field of satirical writing:
“McCain Backs Timeline to Get Obama Out of Iraq
by Scott Ott for ScrappleFace
(2008-07-20) — Republican presidential nominee John McCain today for the first time said he can now support a timeline to reduce the American presence in Iraq, specifically advocating the withdrawal from Iraq of Democrat presidential nominee Barack Obama, and several battalions of U.S. news anchors and reporters.
'It’s time to bring them home,' said Sen. McCain at a news conference attended by a journalism intern from the Des Moines Register. 'The surge has worked, and it’s time to redeploy.'
Sen. McCain said bringing Sen. Obama home would help to ensure that 'people in the U.S., who desperately need media attention, will get the help they deserve.'
'Our mainstream media forces are stretched too thin,' he said. 'If news should break here in the homeland, who’s going to cover it? We’re vulnerable.'"
Too Rich to Ignore
The purpose of the “rant” is to share with you, the readers, those items in the news and in life generally which I personally find irritating. As I get older I find such things seem to be reaching critical mass. Some have major importance and other things are just the response of a curmudgeon to minor bumps on the road of life. For example: have you noticed that sales people, when they arrive at a total, often say: “That will be $7.50!” My question is then: “When will it be $7.50?” How much is it now? Will it be delivered at a later date? Are we expecting a price reduction/increase in the next few seconds? My life expectancy is reducing by the day here on earth so I am far more concerned with the present than some nebulous “will be.” Have all those silver haired darlings who herded me through English classes gone on to their reward with no one left to keep us in the proper tense? When challenged on the matter, the sales people all seem to have a universal reply: “Huh?”
As I plough through the news daily (I am a news junkie) I am stricken with the audacity of some of our leaders. There is no limit to their “chutzpah.”
Representative Charles Rangel of Michigan became so concerned by the inequity of enjoying a collection of rent controlled apartments that he turned himself in to the house ethics committee. Is this then a “cue” for applause?
It has been revealed that officials of the Democrat National Committee have been in Denver preparing for their national convention. Rather than buying their fuel on the open market, they chose to be supplied from the city’s facilities, thus escaping the taxes imposed for the city and the state.. When it was discovered, the issue was brought before the Denver City Council.
Presidential candidate, Barack Hussein Obama, has traded in his Boeing 737 for the more spacious 757. That aircraft comes equipped with a huge American flag painted on the tail assembly. Not happy with that factory option, he has had the tail repainted with the Obama logo. One observer noted he did not replace it with his recently exposed “presidential seal” but could have saved some cash if he had just added the Obama “swoosh” to the flag.
The first item on the rant came with the advisory that it was satire. The rest are fact. We have time for one more outrage.
Even the most callous of legislators find the time to visit the young men and women at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Those military people who have given a huge measure of devotion to their country are recuperating from a variety of war-related injuries. Bryan Whitman, who handles the arrangements at the Pentagon, has given assurances that any and all sitting legislators are given access and invitation to visit and bring those staff that are necessary. The Department of Defense does have some rules which they rightfully impose.
They restrict the party to only those aides which the visitor requires, not campaign staff, and, photographs and video are not allowed. The hospital is a place of refuge and recovery for our troops and their dignity and privacy are respected there.
Certain campaign officials claimed that they were barred from the facility. They implied that their senator was not welcome. The fact is that the senator and his aides were welcome but the officials at Landstuhl and the Pentagon were unwilling to turn it into another frivolous stop on the campaign trail for anyone. The senator decided to tour some German tourist sites instead. The Department of Defense wisely has declined the opportunity to use our injured heroes as mere pawns for anyone in pursuit of higher office.
Personal Update
A couple of weeks ago, in the “rant,” I mentioned that I was working on a new deck. The basic structure is now 90% complete with the exception of the covering. So far, I have used over 1,400 screws (2 ½” and 3 ½”) to assemble all the components. The best estimate is that I shall need at least another four or five hundred to complete the job. I promise a picture when the project is complete.
Right now is an appropriate time to take a moment to thank God for His assistance. He has provided the energy, the plan and the skills required. Unlike a previous effort, I have enjoyed His protection and not sustained any lasting injury. He has raised my awareness of the dangers inherent in all construction projects.
As I sit here at my computer I am situated so that I look out the window across the natural wood of the deck and it seems to blend in with the forest a few feet beyond. Past that, now barely visible because of the dense foliage lies the Spring River Valley. This fall, it should be a seamless vista. My intention is to suspend bird feeders along the roof line for their sustenance and my enjoyment.
Did ever a man have so much cause to rejoice in the gifts of the Almighty?
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
“McCain Backs Timeline to Get Obama Out of Iraq
by Scott Ott for ScrappleFace
(2008-07-20) — Republican presidential nominee John McCain today for the first time said he can now support a timeline to reduce the American presence in Iraq, specifically advocating the withdrawal from Iraq of Democrat presidential nominee Barack Obama, and several battalions of U.S. news anchors and reporters.
'It’s time to bring them home,' said Sen. McCain at a news conference attended by a journalism intern from the Des Moines Register. 'The surge has worked, and it’s time to redeploy.'
Sen. McCain said bringing Sen. Obama home would help to ensure that 'people in the U.S., who desperately need media attention, will get the help they deserve.'
'Our mainstream media forces are stretched too thin,' he said. 'If news should break here in the homeland, who’s going to cover it? We’re vulnerable.'"
Too Rich to Ignore
The purpose of the “rant” is to share with you, the readers, those items in the news and in life generally which I personally find irritating. As I get older I find such things seem to be reaching critical mass. Some have major importance and other things are just the response of a curmudgeon to minor bumps on the road of life. For example: have you noticed that sales people, when they arrive at a total, often say: “That will be $7.50!” My question is then: “When will it be $7.50?” How much is it now? Will it be delivered at a later date? Are we expecting a price reduction/increase in the next few seconds? My life expectancy is reducing by the day here on earth so I am far more concerned with the present than some nebulous “will be.” Have all those silver haired darlings who herded me through English classes gone on to their reward with no one left to keep us in the proper tense? When challenged on the matter, the sales people all seem to have a universal reply: “Huh?”
As I plough through the news daily (I am a news junkie) I am stricken with the audacity of some of our leaders. There is no limit to their “chutzpah.”
Representative Charles Rangel of Michigan became so concerned by the inequity of enjoying a collection of rent controlled apartments that he turned himself in to the house ethics committee. Is this then a “cue” for applause?
It has been revealed that officials of the Democrat National Committee have been in Denver preparing for their national convention. Rather than buying their fuel on the open market, they chose to be supplied from the city’s facilities, thus escaping the taxes imposed for the city and the state.. When it was discovered, the issue was brought before the Denver City Council.
Presidential candidate, Barack Hussein Obama, has traded in his Boeing 737 for the more spacious 757. That aircraft comes equipped with a huge American flag painted on the tail assembly. Not happy with that factory option, he has had the tail repainted with the Obama logo. One observer noted he did not replace it with his recently exposed “presidential seal” but could have saved some cash if he had just added the Obama “swoosh” to the flag.
The first item on the rant came with the advisory that it was satire. The rest are fact. We have time for one more outrage.
Even the most callous of legislators find the time to visit the young men and women at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Those military people who have given a huge measure of devotion to their country are recuperating from a variety of war-related injuries. Bryan Whitman, who handles the arrangements at the Pentagon, has given assurances that any and all sitting legislators are given access and invitation to visit and bring those staff that are necessary. The Department of Defense does have some rules which they rightfully impose.
They restrict the party to only those aides which the visitor requires, not campaign staff, and, photographs and video are not allowed. The hospital is a place of refuge and recovery for our troops and their dignity and privacy are respected there.
Certain campaign officials claimed that they were barred from the facility. They implied that their senator was not welcome. The fact is that the senator and his aides were welcome but the officials at Landstuhl and the Pentagon were unwilling to turn it into another frivolous stop on the campaign trail for anyone. The senator decided to tour some German tourist sites instead. The Department of Defense wisely has declined the opportunity to use our injured heroes as mere pawns for anyone in pursuit of higher office.
Personal Update
A couple of weeks ago, in the “rant,” I mentioned that I was working on a new deck. The basic structure is now 90% complete with the exception of the covering. So far, I have used over 1,400 screws (2 ½” and 3 ½”) to assemble all the components. The best estimate is that I shall need at least another four or five hundred to complete the job. I promise a picture when the project is complete.
Right now is an appropriate time to take a moment to thank God for His assistance. He has provided the energy, the plan and the skills required. Unlike a previous effort, I have enjoyed His protection and not sustained any lasting injury. He has raised my awareness of the dangers inherent in all construction projects.
As I sit here at my computer I am situated so that I look out the window across the natural wood of the deck and it seems to blend in with the forest a few feet beyond. Past that, now barely visible because of the dense foliage lies the Spring River Valley. This fall, it should be a seamless vista. My intention is to suspend bird feeders along the roof line for their sustenance and my enjoyment.
Did ever a man have so much cause to rejoice in the gifts of the Almighty?
In His abiding love,
Cecil Moon
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