Bill of Rights? What’s that?
by John on Jul.20, 2007, under Uncategorized
A historic event took place this week, and a scant few people even know about it, much less understand the implications. President Bush, this week, signed an executive order sanctioning the treasury department seizing the money, property, stocks, etc of anyone deemed to be “undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq or to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people”. Also of note, is that there doesn’t have to be any prior warning, they can do this without any warning, and can retroactively determine that you were undermining efforts.
I’ll let that sink in for a second, and ask: Do any of you know what the implications of this are?
If you said “Doesn’t that go against the 5th amendment to the constitution, something that’s in our BILL OF RIGHTS?” then you get a gold star and a much deserved pat on the back. You’re correct!
It’s rather ambiguous as to when the treasury department is allowed to make these seizures, and even more when it details a persons rights in such circumstances. It seems to throw due process out the window completely, allowing for the government to seize the property of anybody THEY determine to be undermining their efforts. But what, exactly, constitutes ‘undermining’? Is a blog post that slams them on their Iraq war policy considered undermining their efforts? Will I have all of my property seized for disagreeing with the administration? What kind of oversight is in place to make sure this isn’t abused? These are all questions that I find are lacking any real answers.
What’s worse, is that this administration ( nicknamed the War Criminal Administration, by some) has been slowly and systematically destroying the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of the United States. Habeas Corpus has been thrown out the window (despite there being provisions protecting this cornerstone of our judicial system…), The Eighth Amendment has been largely overturned when we declared that the use of torture to get information out of terror suspects is OK ( after all, if you can’t beat them – join them! ) and now the 5th Amendment seems to be in serious peril as well.
How far fetched is it, now, for one to suggest that just prior to the elections in 2008, some hideous terrorist plot unfolds and an attack is made – The President, presiding over this crisis, makes the statement that we can’t afford the distraction of an election in a time like this, and that we’ll put it off temporarily while he deals with the new threat. In the emotional aftermath (much like right after 9/11 ) when people are feeling incredibly patriotic, he’s able to get sweeping emergency powers enacted that allow him to pursue the evil doers. Just like hundreds of times before, in hundreds of governments, a totalitarian regime is formed.
I used to think it was fiction myself, but now I wonder if it’s really a possibility…
On a different note, I did try to contact HP again – they are now no longer responding to any email or inquiry from me. I can’t say I’m all that surprised, though.
[tags] Executive Order, President Bush, Fifth Amendment, 5th Amendment, Bill of Rightst, Terrorists, Iraq [/tags]
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July 20th, 2007 on 1:11 pm
i think that i am going to move to france. i’ve had about enough of american government. if you haven’t already, you really should go see SiCKO.
July 20th, 2007 on 1:13 pm
…moreover, how do you learn of these happenings?
July 20th, 2007 on 2:15 pm
I haven’t seen SiCKO yet, though I’ve heard it’s a pretty good documentary.
As to how I learn about these things, it’s mostly by keeping up with what’s going on in the blogosphere, then doing my part by spreading word even further. I usually sit on them for a day or so to let myself digest it before posting, too, so that I can consider it some more.
July 21st, 2007 on 2:59 am
I guess it comes down to do you trust your government not to abuse the new powers they’ve given themselves?
“I haven’t seen SiCKO yet, though I’ve heard it’s a pretty good documentary”
Highly unlikely, it’s a Michael Moore film afterall… This will probably be more of the same; Cleverly put together and well produced, but ultimately misleading and sometimes outright deceitful.
July 21st, 2007 on 12:48 pm
No, I don’t trust my government at all, actually.
July 22nd, 2007 on 1:32 pm
this current administration has given me very little reason to place my trust in it’s ability to look after my interests and well being, and moreover, the interests and well beings of everyone they are supposed to be in charge of.
July 23rd, 2007 on 11:20 am
THIS is well worth a read.
July 23rd, 2007 on 11:48 am
you should also check out this
it’s about a British reporter who went on a cruise with 500 Neocons to see what they talked about when they thought nobody else is listening.
it’s eye opening and incredibly scary.
Forget “Muslim extremists”, these people are just as bad and just as fanatical – and they’re very highly placed in the US Political system.