NationStates Jolt Archive


Human Rights abolished?

Krensonia
17-10-2006, 18:20
First of all, if this been posted already, forgive me, I am noobie quite often. And before you go and post a reply without reading the full post or clicking the link, READ THE FULL POST. plx.. I am not attempting to and spread anti-US bias.


We all remember this (http://www.acsblog.org/international-affairs-3014-panel-proposed-administration-bill-would-roll-back-human-rights-advancements.html) <-- from some time ago, right?

It comes down to it that people may be sentenced without any sort of trial. The Government would be allowed to track ANYONE who ever opposed the US war on terrorism. Torture would be legalized. etc, alot of bad stuff. And it would also give the US itself rights to do this to people that are NOT citizens of the US. Just about everyone.

anyway, today on the radio I heard a message that this stuff has quitly passed the senate under our noses. And that 20 "detention camps" have been opened by the US government.

This all sounds like alot of far-fetched stuff. I wouldnt imagine anything possible like that and although I wouldnt look up that much if the US government would do that, or worse. But I feel this is just some anti-US propaganda or whatever..

So I ask, anyone heard something else like this radio reportage?
Farnhamia
17-10-2006, 18:41
I don't know about the 20 detention camps, but the bill that just passed does "liberalize" the definition of torture, for sure. Someone should find a link to the actual provisions of the bill.

And I think that was the bill onto which they slipped the prohibition of using credit cards to pay for internet gambling, clever boots that they are. Ah, my tax dollars at work!
Piratnea
17-10-2006, 18:49
Don't worry if anyone thinks you are anti-US we will just call you terrorist and be on our way.

Our bark is worse than our bite.
Daemonocracy
17-10-2006, 18:55
First of all, if this been posted already, forgive me, I am noobie quite often. And before you go and post a reply without reading the full post or clicking the link, READ THE FULL POST. plx.. I am not attempting to and spread anti-US bias.


We all remember this (http://www.acsblog.org/international-affairs-3014-panel-proposed-administration-bill-would-roll-back-human-rights-advancements.html) <-- from some time ago, right?

It comes down to it that people may be sentenced without any sort of trial. The Government would be allowed to track ANYONE who ever opposed the US war on terrorism. Torture would be legalized. etc, alot of bad stuff. And it would also give the US itself rights to do this to people that are NOT citizens of the US. Just about everyone.

anyway, today on the radio I heard a message that this stuff has quitly passed the senate under our noses. And that 20 "detention camps" have been opened by the US government.

This all sounds like alot of far-fetched stuff. I wouldnt imagine anything possible like that and although I wouldnt look up that much if the US government would do that, or worse. But I feel this is just some anti-US propaganda or whatever..

So I ask, anyone heard something else like this radio reportage?

Not exactly sure about the "liberalizing" of torture, there are certain coercive interrogation techniques i have no problem with though. And a bill like this, though i have to read the actual 86 pages to make a final decision, I would support on a temporary basis. I also support the Patriot Act, but only on a temporary basis. These bills should have to be renewed by Congress every 5 years or so.
Silliopolous
17-10-2006, 19:03
While I admire your interest and concern with this odious bit of legislation, I would like to note that anyone who thinks that this bill was passed "quietly under you noses" hasn't been paying a whole lot of attention. Indeed, one's head must have been in a(n) (in)convenient orifice not to have noticed it's passing.



It is noxious, yes - on that you have my full agreement, although the "20 camps" bit is not included, but it was not done in a sneaky or underhanded manner.
Daemonocracy
17-10-2006, 19:07
While I admire your interest and concern with this odious bit of legislation, I would like to note that anyone who thinks that this bill was passed "quietly under you noses" hasn't been paying a whole lot of attention. Indeed, one's head must have been in a(n) (in)convenient orifice not to have noticed it's passing.



Yes this bill has been talked about for quite some time. I believe it was first mentioned shortly after the Supreme Court decision back in June. But with the media obsessing about the Foley scandal, the bill has not received as much attention as it normally would have in the weeks leading up to its passage.
The Realm of The Realm
17-10-2006, 19:16
Not exactly sure about the "liberalizing" of torture, there are certain coercive interrogation techniques i have no problem with though. And a bill like this, though i have to read the actual 86 pages to make a final decision, I would support on a temporary basis. I also support the Patriot Act, but only on a temporary basis. These bills should have to be renewed by Congress every 5 years or so.

I suspect that one reason that Bush is comfortable in proposing such a "liberalized" definition of torture is that he spent his military service as far from any palpable risk as possible ...

Just ASSUME that anything we condone in terms of torture is going to be done to our own soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, marines, and coast guards. And that whoever is doing it will want to "push the edge" and expand the definition as well.

Now, ENVISION yourself as one of the people being tortured for your nation; you can't? Okay, it's your best friend's child, or your young cousin or niece or nephew or your son, etc. ... now grown and turning 20 who is being tortured.

Now tell me how much you support those coercive techniques ... and why you think it's okay for our opponent to lock your friend/relative/child up without any hope of a trial ... just because.


I support the Patriot Act -- for all those who would support the Patriot Act.

Meh. No, I really don't. Not for every five years, not for one FISHING minute.