NDAA

[TBF]

As far as I know this has not yet been signed, but could be at any moment. Thoughts?


Here's a story from the 14th -

US: Refusal to Veto Detainee Bill A Historic Tragedy for Rights
President Decides to Sign Ill-Conceived National Defense Authorization Act
December 14, 2011

(Washington, DC) – US President Barack Obama’s apparent decision to not veto a defense spending bill that codifies indefinite detention without trial into US law and expands the military’s role in holding terrorism suspects does enormous damage to the rule of law both in the US and abroad, Human Rights Watch said today. The Obama administration had threatened to veto the bill, the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), over detainee provisions, but on December 14, 2011, it issued a statement indicating the president would likely sign the legislation.

“By signing this defense spending bill, President Obama will go down in history as the president who enshrined indefinite detention without trial in US law,” said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. “In the past, Obama has lauded the importance of being on the right side of history, but today he is definitely on the wrong side.”

http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/12/14/us-refusal-veto-detainee-bill-historic-tragedy-rights

[Hell Hath No Fury]

1. My thoughts?

It's an abomination and he deserves to rot if he indeed signs it. This is a deal-breaker issue for me -- I was surprised and saddened to see my Senator Boxer sign on to it -- I will be reevaluating my support for her come election time.

[Starry Messenger]

2. I've seen heavy spin over this, so I assume it's pretty nasty.

I'm not up to speed on the basics of it though. I see the article references the Internal Security Act (The McCarren Act), which had a chilling and destructive effect on left-wing organizations during its day.

[TBF]

3. ACLU doesn't like it - which is usually enough to worry me.

And here is a visual aid I found ... hopefully this is still satire:

[Starry Messenger]

4. Nice!

Here's a thread NorthCarolina put up: http://www.democraticunderground.com/100244103 It looks like some good discussion going on in there, but I'm weak on legalese. I just assume though that if the government wants to put you away, they'll find some way to keep you.