GOP Filibusters Bill Restoring Habeas Rights To Detainees

AP:

The Senate narrowly rejected legislation on Wednesday that would have given military detainees the right to protest their detention in federal court.

The 56-43 vote fell four shy of the 60 votes needed to cut off debate on the bill, co-sponsored by Sens. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Arlen Specter, R-Pa. It was a blow for human rights groups that say a current ban on habeas corpus petitions could lead to the indefinite detention of individuals wrongfully suspected of terrorism.

President Bush and conservative Republicans counter that the ban, enacted last year, was necessary to stem the tide of legal protests flooding civilian courts.

Read the whole story: AP

Comments

[Plowboy]

We have here a case as black and white as Bush's fairy tales. One side is for humanity and traditional American legal rights, for jujstice; the orther side for arbitrary rule, inhumanity and injustice.
One side is for our Constitution, the other would tear it up.

[StillAmused]

Considering the pliancy and gullibility of the American public (73% support for the BushImbecile in '03), it's understandable that the Dems have been reluctant to put the Repukes to the test... but the time has come.

Call their bluff, give the dumb bastards the spotlight and let 'em swing at the end of their own rope in full public view.

Same for The Imbecile... jam legislation in his teeth and let him veto — repeatedly.

It took an unforgivably long time, but the voters are finally starting to get it.

Step up, Dems... your window of opportunity's closing.

Next frame: "Aw, all politicians are the same."

[studlyguy]

it's time for americans to stand up against the nazi regime that has taken over america's government people

[jungpatawan]

ENOUGH WITH THE DAMN CLOTURE MOTIONS!

If these creeps want to filibuster the bill, MAKE THEM DO AN ACTUAL FILIBUSTER! Let's see them try to hold the floor continuously. Let's see them read cook books and comic books and novels into the record.

And then let's take the CSPAN feed of them doing so and play it over and over again in their elections.

Damn weak-ass Dems. Stop giving up the Constitution without a FIGHT!

JP

[SaskiaStars]

LOVE IT!! Is everyone calling their representatives??

[Woofer58]

Yeah, I call my Reps daily.. and they really don't like what I call 'em either.

[Gabrielle]

WE LIVE IN A COMPLETE FASCIST STATE

POOR AMERICA

[LORISNJ]

I have to write:

I H-A-T-E THIS ADMINISTRATION

I H-A-T-E THE REPUBLICANS (MOST)

I H-A-T-E THE NEO-CONS

I H-A-T-E THE BLOODSHED SUPPORTERS

I H-A-T-E THE LIARS, CROOKS, AND THIEVES

BUT I STILL LOVE MY COUNTRY AND NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD PEOPLE TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR COUNTRY.

I just had to get that out of my system, I am much better now!

[gopgoingdown]

Remember only a few years ago when the GOP was yelling NUKE OPTION.

No more filibusters, a strait up, down vote.

They let the republicans have their way, no filibuster only on court picks.

What if the Dems. said fuck you, the GOP could not stop anything the Dems. try now.

The Dems. caved, and it is costing them now!!!

[beholder]

Arlen Spector says he is sure the courts will find the current law unconstitutional. If you examine the makeup of the SCOTUS you will realize that it is entirely possible for it to uphold this law by some technical ruse.

We are now in uncharted territory. Where a democratic senator can stand by and watch a student get carted off and tasered for asking and couple of uncomfortable questions. There are many uncomfortable questions that have gone and will continue go unanswered.

There are currently 80,000 American citizens on a no fly list. They have no recourse to know why they are on that list or how to be removed. It is now possible simply by having unwitting contact with someone who is suspected of something by some arm of the growing domestic spy agencies, that you too will become suspect and have little or no recourse to know who your accusers are or what you are accused of. You can rot in jail, be subjected to mind numbing sleep deprivation, torture, and isolation until you are so disoriented that you will cop to anything for relief---right here, right now in the good old USA.

What has become of our country, once the last great hope of mankind? Are you willing to be silent and watch the death of freedom? Just keep your head down and hope not to be noticed.

[gwpriester]

Sad sad day.

[gopgoingdown]

Did anyone see that the republicans that voted for it are the ones up for election in 08??

But I'm sure the Bush kissing Leberlover voted no.

[SaskiaStars]

HELLO>>>>>­>>>>Trolls­??????????­??? You see what is happening?? Where are you with your BS?? Oh, I guess you haven't been given your talking points yet.

[testerwebbdemocrat]

Every stupid ass troll who ever parrotted that "what has the Congress done" talking point needs tobe on this thread defending the obstruction, or you are worthless.

Every obstruction is another nail in your coffin, Republics. 407 days, count em.

[JeffDeVore]

Why didn't you gnawnipple Democrats let them keep on filibustering? At least till the point that the news got out and people could start a barrage of protests.
Fuckin' John Kerry can't even speak up when a guest at his speech is being tortured. You guys are fucking dickless little bastards. Can't you do a God damned thing but whimper in the corner?

[lippp]

well, Jeff. When the Dems obtain a true majority in the House and Senate, you will see alot of things being done. The fact is the closeted, bigoted and holier than thou Repugs still have a strong veto power for the time being. Don't forget most Americans are very unhappy with the incompetents of the Repugs. True Congress is not winning any personality contests but the we all know the real reason is because the Repugs have enough voting power to overide sensible legislation. Look for all that to change soon.

[milo9]

The Dems have compromised themselves in so many ways it's difficult to see much repair being done on the Bill of Rights and the Constitution when they have a super majority.

[accountability]

agreed!

[chilifan]

Yet more evidence that we are not the United States that we were, since the Constitution seems to be nothing but toilet paper to this republican regime. It is almost beyond belief what the Senate has done and continues to do to this country. The Supreme Court and the Senate: bought and paid for by republicans.

Their salaries are paid by us, yet they look down on us as if from a lofty perch, laughing at how stupid they think we are. With few exceptions, the entire government is rotten to the core. They don't represent us. They just take our money and use it for hookers, fancy dinner parties and the endless hilarity of George W. Bush and company.

The worst part of all this is that most Americans don't really give a you-know-what. They seem almost happy to give their freedom away. Why not? Has anyone noticed the complete lack of responsibility, respect and /or honor most Americans have? Kindness is for wussies. Love is out, hate is in. Family values include having ceremonies where a little girl receives a ring from her daddy and promises to keep her virginity until she marries. Welcome to the third world, America. Praise the lord and pass the ammunition!

[LIR]

The fact that the Dems seem utterly powerless, even after gaining more power after last year, is another galling matter.

Why did they allow them to filibuster?

Can't Dems do the nuke option?

On this one, it was necessary...the Dems continue to not get tough...the Repigs don't hesitate to play dirty...it is the only way to deal with their affronteries to the Constitution...

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

My thoughts exactly. Remember how many times we saw Frist's perfectly coiffed head on the news, running around howling about the "nuclear option"? Why don't the Dems. turn the table? Could it be that they have something the repubes don't have? Respect for the Constitution?

[joebaggadonuts]

What nuke option? In the Senate any senator can filibuster and it takes 60 votes to force a vote. They can't shoot the filibusterer. That's not allowed under Senate rules.

[Chesire11]

Why do Republicans hate freedom?

Oh yeah, because they are fascists at heart, not Americans.

[imusintheevening]

Simple, the terrorists hate us for our freedom, so by by taking away our freedom the terrorists won't hate us - w logic.