If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
It is easy to say -- "you had him in your sights, why didn't you do more." It is a far, far different question when there are thousands of pieces of data flowing into a system to figure out which of them is deserving of the limited governmental resources available.
If the President of the United States or the DOD or the FBI says this country is at risk from the actions of its enemies, I cannot imagine that any court could say no because if the court rules wrongly, it will be blamed for the deaths that ensue.
The constant that underlines discussion of extraordinary -- and unconstitutional -- methods to secure the United States against terrorist attack is the premise that a grave menace lurks out there. Yet there is no evidence that such is the case.
Rhetoric is no substitute for reality, and given the president's unfortunate extension of the Bush-Cheney assault on civil liberties, his administration deserves criticism.
The following key principles, largely absent from Obama's first term in office, formed the backbone of Rev. King's life and work.
There are times, when writing about the political world, when it is impossible not to feel like I am trapped inside a Jonathan Swift satire. This is one of those times. Real life and farce blur into one, and we all pretend this is normal. Sigh.
Hello Wednesday. Here's what's happening in the world of civil liberties, civil rights and more. Bradley Manning gets four months "credit," but loses...
Intelligence officials may very well know what's best for the American people, but government agents -- regardless of whether they work at the CIA or the USDA -- don't have the right to govern without the consent of the governed.
Next week, the Senate is expected to vote on extension of the FISA Amendments Act. Such broad surveillance powers should not be reauthorized without a thorough examination of the operation of this program.
The country needs and wants strong presidents, but the Constitution and law exist to limit abuse of power -- a standard that must continue to apply to our chief executives.
For all of its good intentions in 1978, FISA has since been thrust into dangerous, uncharted territory, morphing into a vehicle of unintended consequences.
What should be done if there are no obvious battlefields and no certain combatants? Should propagandists be treated as fighters? Are any procedural protections required before a U.S. citizen can be killed?
The courts have a role to play in ensuring that government surveillance complies with the Constitution. We'll find out on Tuesday whether the Obama administration is finally willing to let the courts play that role.
John McCain's latest war gospel hangs an alarming tale. The rule of law has been dethroned and the president has been endowed with absolute power as the American Empire has eclipsed the American Republic.
President Obama is threatening to veto a bill that would check the president's authority to single-only inform a small coterie of Congressmen about important intelligence activities.
Is your email private? You may think it is, but you may also be surprised how easy it is for law enforcement to access it without a warrant.
