The National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law on December 31st, 2011, and takes away rights of American citizens suspected of being terrorists. Which rights am I talking about? The first is the 6th amendment, which as a refresher is that you are entitled counsel. The other right dates back before the Magna Carta and was taken when writing the Suspension Clause in Article One, Section 9. This, of course, is habeas corpus.
Forbes put an article about the NDAA, and I love all of the points raised by the author, E.D. Kain. According to that Forbes article, President Obama expressed reservations about signing the bill, particularly the clauses that specify detention, interrogation, and prosecution of suspected terrorists. What I don’t understand is why President Obama signed the act, despite having reservations about it.
The other aspect that upsets me is in regards to media coverage (well, lack thereof) and social media presence of the NDAA. Very few individuals even mentioned the NDAA through social media, but SOPA was front and center. I believe the difference to be that individuals trust the government’s procedures for handling of searches, seizures, and the like. However, many individuals are much more vocal about losing free speech.
I am hoping that we stop getting complacent with the status quo, as we are starting to lose their rights. I am waiting for the day that we can have our voices heard, and through social media decide who we want to keep in office, and who is too corrupt. It’s time that we start demanding representation.
What do you think? Should this be the end of President Obama for signing something of this caliber into law?
Further Reading: The New American- http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/constitution/10396-president-obama-signs-national-defense-authorization-act-into-law
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