A dark day

We've done it. Eliminated - not suspended, mind you, but elminated - the 'great right' - the most basic right, that of habeas corpus. Not for everyone, no, not yet - but if you think American citizens haven't lost their rights, you're wrong. Read the damn bill; it authorizes the president to seize American citizens as enemy combatants, even if they have never left the United States. We've handed the president the power to decide who gets the right (the option?) and who doesn't. I'm sure Republicans are congratulating themselves on making us safer, but what they've made us is less American. Less worth being safe. And it's a power that any president will have... Perhaps if they'd ask themselves if they'd be happy if Clinton had had this power - or Hilary - they too will have some sleepless nights. He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself. —Thomas Paine The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home. —James Madison Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve liberty nor safety. —Benjamin Franklin We have handed the president the power to not even need to charge someone in order to arrest him and lock him up for the rest of his life, answering to no one in any way. No court will ever be asked why, no one will ever be held accountable. Even if they are innocent. And we have made the president immune for war crimes he committed in the past - and frankly, I can see no reason for him to even ask for that unless he knows he actually did commit some. This is a very dark day for my country, and I am ashamed to be an American.