WP: "Restoring the Constitution Act" Would Restore Detainees' Rights, Define 'Combatant'

[DeepModem Mom]

Bill Would Restore Detainees' Rights, Define 'Combatant'
By Josh White
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 14, 2007; Page A08

A group of Senate Democrats introduced legislation yesterday that would restore habeas corpus rights to all detainees in U.S. custody and would narrowly define what it means to be an "enemy combatant" against the United States, a measure designed to challenge laws ushered in by the Republican-controlled Congress last year.

The bill, titled the "Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007," strikes at the core of the Military Commissions Act of 2006 by giving detainees access to U.S. courts. It was introduced by Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (Conn.), a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The bill would also prevent the executive branch from making blanket determinations about who is an enemy combatant and would restrict the president's authority to interpret when certain human rights standards apply to detainees. The legislation would limit the label "enemy combatant" to a person "who directly participates in hostilities in a zone of active combat against the United States" or who took part in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Should such language become law, it could change the status of numerous detainees who were picked up in U.S. counterterrorism efforts.

The bill would also restore to the detainees numerous rights they lost under the Military Commissions Act, including the right, under a habeas corpus petition, to challenge their detention in federal court.

"I take a backseat to no one when it comes to protecting the country from terrorists," Dodd said in an e-mail statement yesterday. "But there is a right way to do this and a wrong way to do this. . . . In taking away their legal rights, the rights first codified in our country's Constitution, we're taking away our own moral compass, as well."...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/13/AR2007021301163.html

[ninkasi]

1. It's a sad day in our country's history

to have to pass a law to RESTORE the Constitution. Only under the sociopath now illegally occupying the Oval Office would this happen. I weep for the country I used to know. I hope that it will become the America I was born in almost 64 years ago again.

[RaRa]

2. Yes, it's sad, but I do feel comforted that sanity is returning eom

[aquart]

3. How about just voiding the MCA?

I think I just want Al Gore to step out of the shower and tell us all we've had a nightmare.

[Peace Patriot]

4. Christopher Dodd should have consulted that strong moral compass of his

when he colluded with the biggest crooks in the Anthrax Congress--Tom Delay and Bob Ney--on destroying the transparency of American elections, thus destroying American democracy, with the "Help America Vote for Bush Act" of 2002.

Jerk. Demagogue. Now he thinks he's going to benefit from that fascist coup.

[salin]

6. grand standing or not - the bill will force media coverage and discussion

of the bushco actions that have been outside of the constitution. Those of us following closely have been outraged and are aware - but sadly a lot of folks have't. This gets even more *they really did that?!?* Especially if it puts Gonzalez and his noxious statements and writings used to justify admin actios back into the public discussion.

So if he wants to get some pr along the way - so be it (not a Dodd fan nor a detractor) but i am glad that this bill is being put forward.

[Doondoo]

5. K&R

[Vidar]

7. Sounds like a good idea.

[pberq]

8. Kick & Nominated